Hailing from Bogotá, Colombia, today we meet Bitter Babe. The DJ and producer, who adopted this ironic name because she suffers from RBF (resting bitch face), is conquering the international scene one set at a time, playing rhythms that feel close to home like dembow, guaracha, and reggaeton and, most important of all, being true to herself. Tomorrow Friday, November 15, she’s playing at Saint-Etienne’s Positive Education festival, an event that fosters local and international talent and brings people together through an incredibly well-curated lineup.
“It’s a very cathartic experience to connect at that level with so many people, making them dance and get lost together. It’s something I’ll never get over,” Bitter Babe comments on playing in front of live audiences. For her upcoming Positive Education set, she recommends: “I don’t want the audience to have specific expectations — just show up and allow me to be myself.” We have the opportunity to sit down with her and discuss her artistic path, the best and worst of a DJ’s lifestyle, and her goals in life.
Hi Bitter Babe, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. First things first: your name is ironic and fun; it balances bitter and sweet. How did you come up with it, and why do you feel it represents your artist persona?
Hi METAL Magazine, thank you for inviting me here. As for my name, it’s nothing too deep or serious; I just wanted something with an edge that could relate to my personality. I’m aware I suffer from RBF (resting bitch face), and I know that can be perceived as bitterness. There was a time in my life when I tried to change it, but then I thought, no, that’s just a side of me. So, I got over it and made it part of my artist persona.
When did you first discover your passion for music, and what sparked your interest in electronic music specifically?
Music has been a passion of mine since a very young age. It started with dancing and creating choreographies for all my class events. I also used to make mixes on cassettes with songs playing on the radio (mostly reggaeton songs) and then played these cassettes at my friends’ birthday parties. In a way, I think I was already on my path to a DJ career without even knowing it.
My interest in electronic music came much later. It all started as a bit of a joke because I was tired of going out to clubs in my hometown (Bogotá) and always hearing the same male DJs. Even though at that point I didn’t know much (or almost nothing at all) about DJing, I decided to try it just to prove I could do it better. What started as a joke became something I realised I really enjoyed, so I began learning about different genres and techniques, and that’s how things took off.
My interest in electronic music came much later. It all started as a bit of a joke because I was tired of going out to clubs in my hometown (Bogotá) and always hearing the same male DJs. Even though at that point I didn’t know much (or almost nothing at all) about DJing, I decided to try it just to prove I could do it better. What started as a joke became something I realised I really enjoyed, so I began learning about different genres and techniques, and that’s how things took off.
We all love music as listeners, but choosing the artistic path comes with many struggles – family members not trusting you and asking you to choose a ‘safer’ career, being freelance, feeling insecure about your own art, etc. What would you say is the best and the worst of working as an artist?
Being able to be creative and make a living from it while travelling the world, meeting people, and having amazing experiences playing in different places are definitely some of the best things about being an artist. The worst part, I’d say, is that it can be a very lonely life, with a lot of solo travelling and having to put on your best face even when you don’t feel like it. If you don’t find a balance, it can be very draining.
“Colombia is a place where people love to dance, and they enjoy rhythms that move their hips — sexy beats that make them dance close to each other. I try to keep that energy in my sets and my style.”
What’s your typical creative process like when producing music or preparing a DJ set? Are they different? For example, being in the studio producing vs. going vinyl shopping in random record shops to find hidden gems.
They are definitely different. My approach to producing involves a lot of trial and error, falling in love with those errors, and turning them into something I can use, as well as deciding on specific moods to explore. Preparing my sets, however, depends on the type of show I’m doing, the time I’m playing, and what I want to convey; it’s more structured in terms of what I want to deliver. I spend many hours in front of my laptop searching for music to add to my sets.
What do you enjoy most about performing live sets, and what can the audience expect from your performance at Positive Education?
I enjoy taking the crowd into my own little world that I’ve created in my head and making them a part of it. I love when I can go deep into it, and the crowd wants to come along for the ride. It’s a very cathartic experience to connect at that level with so many people, making them dance and get lost together. It’s something I’ll never get over. I don’t want the audience to have specific expectations — just show up and allow me to be myself.
There are incredible acts on the lineup. Are there any other artists you’re particularly excited to see as a spectator?
OJoo & Ossia, Aïsha Devi, Crystallmess, and The Bug & Flowdan. And so many more, as well as many names I don’t know yet but am excited to discover.
What do you think is the importance of international music festivals like Positive Education in fostering a global music community?
I think it’s very special what this festival does by creating a space where people can connect through music from all over the world in a very curated way. It brings together different genres that somehow make sense collectively and allows everyone to connect while disconnecting from the outside world.
“If I stay true to who I am and do things that feel genuine, that’s what will resonate with those who come to listen to me. I don’t think my sound is necessarily unique, but the way I deliver it is.”
How has your Colombian heritage shaped your musical style and approach to DJing? I mean, I know you play sounds close to home like dembow or guaracha, but I guess there’s more to it.
I think my Colombian heritage has influenced my musical style more than my approach to DJing. My approach to DJing is very personal, while my style has definitely been shaped by the sounds I grew up with. Colombia is a place where people love to dance, and they enjoy rhythms that move their hips — sexy beats that make them dance close to each other. I try to keep that energy in my sets and my style.
In a world where more and more people want to become DJs, how would you describe your unique sound and what sets you apart from others?
I don’t stress too much about what sets me apart from other DJs. If I stay true to who I am and do things that feel genuine, that’s what will resonate with those who come to listen to me. In the end, that’s what makes me, me. I don’t think my sound is necessarily unique, but the way I deliver it is.
Finally, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as a musician and artist?
I want to keep pushing my creative boundaries and evolving in ways that feel authentic to me. I’m drawn to experimenting with new sounds and styles while staying true to my identity. Another goal is to make a lasting impact on the electronic music scene, particularly by creating opportunities for artists from places with less infrastructure, like South America. I believe in supporting those voices and helping them be heard on a global stage, as I know firsthand the challenges they face.
Ultimately, I want to expand my reach without compromising who I am, building a community that values underground culture and genuine artistic expression. For me, the journey is about creating music that reflects my personality, advances the craft, and builds meaningful connections.
