Inspired by other alternative acts such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Mac DeMarco and the Strokes, Ben Gardner, Tommy Fuccillo, and Matt Hatch have been playing music together since junior high. Throughout various band names and lineup changes over the years, this core trio always endured and eventually Stella Starfox came to fruition in 2018, releasing their first singles and sharing their unique blend of rock, psychedelia, hip hop and electronica at festivals and shows across New England and New York.

 

In 2021, most of the band moved into a house together. At this point, Mike “Brown” Bloniarz joined the project, bringing a new level of drum chops and precision sample triggering into the mix. Eli Sontz joined the project in 2023, after fatefully attending the farewell show of the then-keyboardist. Having only been in a cappella groups prior, he brought with him a treasure-trove of vocal skills and expertise to share with the gang.

 

Today, the band features Gardner (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Fuccillo (vocals, guitar, drums), Hatch (bass, keyboards, vocals), Bloniarz (drums, vocals) and Sontz (keyboards, vocals, auxiliary percussion, guitar). With songs offering dance-inducing rhythms, thought-provoking themes and hilarious one-liners, they continue to play shows and festivals, opening for larger like-minded acts such as Layzi, Post Sex Nachos, VEAUX and The Thing.

 

Most recently, Stella has been releasing a steady stream of singles foreshadowing an eventual debut full-length album.