Following the success of their 2022 debut Let The Festivities Begin, London based Los Bitchos are now ready to release their brand new album, Talkie Talkie, this Friday 30th August via City Slang. Known for their ability to fuse together layers of colourful instrumentation to create joyous cacophonies, the new album combines elements ranging from Turkish psych and Cumbian Guacharaca rhythms, to funk-fuelled hooks and the racing excitement of comic book-inspired storylines, to create a thrilling, fun-filled collection; oozing a rousing sonic euphoria throughout.
Whilst Let The Festivities Begin very much did what it said on the tin, the new album picks up and develops its celebratory mood: “The first album was about getting the party started…”, synth and keytar player Agustina Ruiz reflects, “… and now (with Talkie Talkie) it’s more like, let’s continue the party!”.
I catch up with Ruiz and lead guitarist Serra Petale a week before the new album is due for release, and they’re clearly very excited to finally share it with the world after touring and promoting their debut for the last few years. Centred around the concept of a club that the band are inviting you to – “… there’s something in there for everyone. Different rooms with different themes, and everything’s fabulous!” – Talkie Talkie showcases how Los Bitchos have honed and developed their sound. Discussing how the album differs from its predecessor, Petale explains: “I feel like we, as musicians, are probably a bit more experienced by this point; we went in knowing more about how we wanted to record the songs…” Reflecting on how the song ideas were clearer and more developed this time around, she continues, “Recording the first album, we were just kind of really starting out, and now we’ve got that under our belt, and we’ve had a lot more studio experience as well, which has been pretty helpful. Now (with Talkie Talkie), we just wanted to keep going and keep evolving. You don’t really want to make the same album twice.”
Whilst Petale does the majority of the songwriting, the process of recording and performing is always very much a collaborative process for the band: “I often start by writing all of the parts, because that’s how I can best form the song… ”, she reflects, “… then, of course, things might develop and change… But this is good because you want people to put their own touches onto their parts. And then sometimes that difference is what makes the song all the more rich.” Initially meeting roughly eight years ago, Petale and Ruiz, later joined by band mates Josefine Jonsson (bass) and Nic Crawshaw (drums), clearly work well as a team, and their closeness as friends is evident when listening to their joyous creations; this element of collaboration being something which they all really value. “It’s so important to make sure that everyone feels creatively expressive. We are very much a band, and everyone is so integral…”, Petale shares when asked about the recording process, “I mean I love songwriting, I think it’s my favourite part of being in a band, so I personally need that creative output. But it’s really interesting to see the development of the songs; like perhaps I’ve just put down an idea on my computer, and then when we go to play it, it’ll inevitably change again. And that’s the fun of it.”
With such a unique and eclectic range of sounds apparent throughout their songs, Los Bitchos find it hard to pick out any specific influences, but rather attribute what inspires them more to the mood that they aim to create through their music: “You just get so inspired by bands or songs that you love and that make you feel a certain way. And I think a lot of what inspires me comes from wanting to emulate those same feelings.” If their aim is to emulate feelings of pure ecstasy and blissful abandon, then Los Bitchos have certainly succeeded in what they set out to do; and this distinct sense of fun and carefree swirling energy particularly shines through in their videos: “We just really love making videos!”, Ruiz admits in response to me gushing over how much I love their recent visual for ‘Kiki, You Complete Me’, “We have all these ideas that just kind of come out of nowhere. Then we have Tom (Mitchell), and we’re just like ‘Tom, we want to do this’, and then he goes and makes it look really cool. But we all really enjoy the process. We’re super involved in everything.” Petale adds: “We just get to dress up and be the most ridiculous characters. I sometimes can’t believe this is my job – it’s so fun!”
The fun that the band are having is something you’ll know all about if you’ve ever seen them perform live; seeing them at Deer Shed Festival this summer was pretty wonderful, and they’ve played many festivals over the last few years, but one experience will always stick in their minds: “Glastonbury!”, Petale and Ruiz exclaim in unison when asked to pick a highlight. Reflecting on their experience playing the legendary festival last year, Petale reminisces, “It was iconic. I remember that moment when we out onto the Park Stage, and we saw so many people there. I remember just being like, ‘Oh my God, is this what it’s like?!’… It was an incredible feeling. Incredible! And it was so nice to experience that together as a band.”
Los Bitchos’ enjoyment of live shows isn’t limited to festivals, however. Set to head out to the States soon to play a run of headline shows, ahead of embarking on a UK and European tour later this Autumn, they have fond memories of the last time the played North America: “It’s so much fun playing in the US. We have friends in almost every city, so it’s always a good time.”, Ruiz begins, before recalling a particularly lively night in Dallas. “Yeah…”, Petale agrees, “… whenever we’ve gone to the US, people are so friendly! Like, super willing to talk to you. It’s just really, really nice.” Despite their love of a good time, maintaining some downtime and self-care remains important to the band whilst out on tour. Agustina, for instance, always takes a book with her to read on the road – “It’s so important to me. Whatever kind of book I’m in the mood for – like, for this US tour, I’m going to take one about the Tudors.” For Serra, however, it’s all about skincare – “… You know when you come out of a gig and you’re so disgusting (which happens to me a lot, because I sweat so much), and then you come into your room, and you can just wash, and it’s like, it’s just a little bit of comfort. And I enjoy it.”
Having the opportunity to go out on tour and have fun on the road isn’t something that Los Bitchos take for granted, and they appreciate how different things may have been for them had they been a band a few decades ago: “Comparing now to, say, the ‘70s, when being a woman in the music industry must have been hell, I think things are definitely better now…” Ruiz muses, “There’s still more changing that needs to be done, but it has changed. It is more accepting…” Reflecting on how increased acceptance and visibility for women and queer artists, particularly over the last ten years, has improved the industry, Petale adds: “A lot of artistry is queer in itself… And I think something really positive now is that there is more of a push to accept yourself and for people to accept you as you are. And I think that it’s really wonderful to see so many queer artists. And I love that term because it brings a lot of people together… Giving visibility and housing a place of acceptance for queer artists is just absolutely essential. And I love that about music, and I love that about artistry.” She goes on to emphasise that at Los Bitchos gigs, they aim to create a safe and inclusive space for all: “We would always say that everyone is always welcome at our shows, and you should just feel that you can just be yourself. That’s paramount.” A band after our own hearts for sure!
Huge thanks to Serra and Agustina for making time to chat to me. I can’t wait for the new album, and very much hope to be able to be a part of the immensely joyous experience of seeing Los Bitchos live again soon! And, if you haven’t had the chance yet, you really must get down to one of the upcoming dates (or if you have before, you probably already have tickets as you’ll be aware of how much fun it is!). After their US tour next month, they’ll be travelling around the UK for a load of headline dates in October. Find all information and tickets here. And, if you can’t wait for then, they’ll be celebrating the release of Talkie, Talkie, with a special DJ set at Someday in Finsbury Park this Friday 30th August (nab a free ticket here), and then playing a one-off in-store show at Rough Trade East on 3rd September.
Talkie, Talkie, the brand new album from Los Bitchos, is out this Friday 30th August via City Slang. Pre-order here.
Photo Credit: Tom Mitchell
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