Los Bitchos - Talkie Talkie
Los Bitchos stormed onto the British music scene back in 2019 like a wayward auntie into a staid family gathering, Samantha Jones with a bottle of tequila swinging freely by her side. To quote the patron saint of Manhattan herself, “I don’t believe in the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, I just believe in parties”. Since the release of their breakout single “Pista (Great Start)”, Los Bitchos have become the party that we believe in the most. Of course, we aren’t alone in this. As Nic, the band’s drummer pointed out during our recent chat, “There’s a little bit of Samantha in all of us.”
We had the opportunity to sit down with the band back in July, ahead of their performance at Deer Shed Festival. We gathered in a temporarily converted private school, transformed into an artist’s hub for the weekend. The room, with its indeterminate function, was furnished with a well-worn corner sofa where we all settled in for the interview. Agustina, Josefine, and Serra reclined in a state of elegant nonchalance while Nic, perched opposite, sat on a beanbag set beside a table cluttered with a selection of crudely enjoyed crudites. A laid-back setting, perfect for our conversation about their journey to date, their new album, and their enduring gratitude for a life on the road.
Los Bitchos. Credit: Tom Mitchell
Since releasing their debut record, Let the Festivities Begin! back in 2022, Los Bitchos have been in a near-constant cycle of touring, driven by the enduring demand for their electrifying live shows. While their debut album managed to distil some of the magical essence of their gigs onto tape with its intoxicating mix of the funk, disco, and Latin rhythms, nothing quite compares to the real thing. If you can show me anything more joyous than a Los Bitchos show, I’ll eat my Louboutins. Now, two years later, the four-piece return with their second studio release, an album that manages to further capture that signature Los Bitchos panache while adding some extra nostalgic polish to the sound.
A sophomore record is of course, a major milestone for any group however, before this, their set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury Festival last year allowed them to recognise just how far they have come since their humble beginnings. Set under blistering sunshine, the performance marked a new high for Los Bitchos and represented a career-defining moment that celebrated all of their achievements to date. As Nic reflects, “we were actually stunned at how many people showed up. It was a lovely day. All of our friends and team were there. It was the best weekend, it felt really special”.
So, how do you follow that? Recorded in the latter half of 2023, Talkie Talkie was born in the afterglow of their Glastonbury moment, with the band still riding high on the momentum of their success. Between sessions at Rak Studios and Lightship 95, a literal boat moored in the Thames that, according to Josefine, “moved every time the tide came in”, they channelled their euphoria into a record that explores the technicolour world of the 1980s, one of their favourite aesthetic eras. The result is a project that gleams with heady synths and hi-fi pop songwriting, providing added depth to their already well-crafted, melodic structures.
During the recording process, the four-piece fully immersed themselves in the sonic evolution of the era, with analogue warmth meeting digital precision, resulting in the record’s richly textured sound. Collaborating closely with the likes of Oli Barton-Wood (Wet Leg, Nilüfer Yanya) and engineer Giles Barrett (Shabaka Hutchings, Ezra Collective), they transformed their initial demos into a vibrant, fully realised record that signals an exciting new chapter.
Discussing the foundations of the demos, Serra explained, "I think it's about trying to emulate the eclectic styles of music that you like to listen to. That’s what spurs me on with guitar." Continuing, she expanded, “there’s so many songs that I love the sound of and you just want to do what you love”. In classic Los Bitchos style, Talkie Talkie is a melting pot of sounds and genres that continues to reflect the band's international makeup and broader musical influences.
As they prepare to take the record on the road, the band are excited to share the expansion of their sound with audiences across the UK and around the world, as Josefine puts it, “there’s going to be a natural progression where we want to throw more shit in there when we’re playing it live”. Despite the excitement however, the band are all too aware of the challenges that come with touring. The monotony of travel, strained relationships, and the physical toll are all part of the price an artist pays for success in this industry but as Nic reminds us, "It's like any job. There’s stuff you sacrifice, but there’s amazing stuff as well."
In the hard times, the band have found solace in each other as well as in the act of performing. "You kind of forget about your problems on stage," Agustina explains. "It sounds really cheesy and cliché, but it’s true. You’re doing something else, and your brain requires you to concentrate on that." Sitting with them ahead of their Deer Shed Festival performance, their appreciation for these experiences is palpable. Serra captures this sentiment perfectly as she confesses, "There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not genuinely fucking grateful. This is everything I ever wanted. This is why I moved here, to do exactly this."
With Talkie Talkie, Los Bitchos have dispelled any fears of a sophomore slump, demonstrating that their vibrant creativity and infectious energy are far from fleeting. The album builds on the eclectic, celebratory sound they’ve become known for, while also embracing a more polished, vintage aesthetic that reflects their growth and confidence as a collective. It’s a record that not only meets expectations but expands their musical horizons, inviting listeners into an even richer, more colourful world.
"Sometimes it's tricky when your dreams come true. You want something all your life and then you have it… I guess we're quite lucky; we all wanted this and now we're enjoying it," Agustina reflects. A sentiment that encapsulates the band’s enduring gratitude and their commitment to making every second count. As Los Bitchos continue to evolve, they remind us that the best part of achieving your dreams is enjoying the little moments, the highs and lows alongside your friends.
Talkie Talkie by Los Bitchos is out now via City Slang
