Los Bitchos… From The Archives
The Bus has been undergoing some much-needed repairs to its engine and is almost ready to be back on the road… Sorry for the absence. To celebrate our rebirth we’re digging up some of our favourite interviews from the archives that never made it onto the site. To start with, we managed to grab a quick chat with the coolest four-piece that make me proud to be in the fringe club, the magical Los Bitchos.
If you’re looking for a band to feverishly force you to want to learn an instrument then look no further. This London-based, pan-continental instrumental group have been on the top of our playlists since we first heard ‘Good To Go!’ back in 2022. They make me want to scribble their name in my diary and draw bubble hearts around it. Every element of the band seems to be fun, from their electric live shows (of which I’ve seen many) and the joyful yelps and yips that can be heard echoing through each track recording, to the words used to describe their eclectic sound… (‘Greek-Surf / Psychedelic Sunshine Cumbia / Surf Disco Safari’ to name a few).
Wizardly-produced by Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, the band’s debut album ‘Let the Festivities Begin!’ set the bar high for the group, with star-of-the-show ‘Pista (Fresh Start)’ acting as some sort of LB anthem. Ten seconds into the track and you’re taken off to a sun-drenched festival crowd, stomping in unison, waving their arms in the air and before you know it you’re yelping and yipping out loud.
Get involved in their shared elation by plugging your ears in and having a read of our interview below… we cover all the fun of the fair, hear about their top London hot-spots and discuss what goes best with tequila.
PHOTO : MEARA KALLISTA
28.03.23 // 2:02pm
How are you feeling today? Where are you all?
Nic: We are all resting up at home/catching up with admin post-King Gizzard tour! Enjoying those home comforts after being on the road for 3 weeks.
Josefine: Yes we’ve just landed in London to catch our breath a bit before we head to the US in 2 weeks time. I do have a slight post-tour blues for sure, but also this rest is heaven.
Agustina: We just finished tour so now resting and spending time with friends!
Serra: At home catching up on some rest, cooking, gaming, exercise and going out for sassy meals with friends.
I heard that ‘Los Bitchos’ was conceived at a party. Describe your dream party.
Josefine: I have a soft spot for deranged house parties so that will have to be the location/venue. Ideally it would be someone else's house (save me cleaning up hehe), with a surprise pool, well stocked bar and on a balmy evening.
Agustina: Summer, house party with a garden.
Serra: A dream party for me is always at a house with a nice garden, good weather and a range of fabulous drinks and food.
I think I heard your name more than any other band last summer and managed to catch you playing at 5 festivals… Was last year totally mad following your debut album release?
Nic: Haha, yes it was a whirlwind! We were so grateful to have the chance to play live so much and play the album to people with the record finally out in the world. In terms of staying sane, I think just approaching everything as a team and looking out for each other, as cheesy as that sounds!
Josefine: Wow 5 festivals is impressive! Haha yes it was a bit mad but at the same time everything we’d wished and hoped for and some!
Serra: The response we got for our debut album was amazing, and beyond what we could have imagined. Even though we had a rigorous schedule, there’s nothing better than releasing something and being busy off the back of it.
PHOTO : MEARA KALLISTA
You are parents to a 1 year old. And they're perfect. Congratulations! Wanting any more kids soon?
Nic: We are working on it! We spent February working on a batch of new songs, and have been road testing some of them on tour this month which has felt amazing!
Josefine: Yes, what Nic said! It’s officially ‘in the oven’ so to speak.
Serra: Yep bring them on!
Serra, you started out as a drummer and then moved onto guitar. How come you weren't tempted by the drum kit in Los Bitchos?
Serra: I’m always tempted by the drumkit, I've even managed to squeeze myself into playing some percussion because I love it so much. Playing guitar was the easiest option to take when forming the band, as I was writing the songs, and the thought of trying to teach the lead guitar lines to someone else was way too daunting. Plus it’s nice to be at the front sometimes.
Who are your instrumental inspirations are & who we should be listening to?
Serra: The Roots of Chicha compilation, The Shadows, Laco Tayfa, Yellow Magic Orchestra.
If you could only drink tequila based drinks for the rest of your life, what would you add to it?
Nic: Ooh, so many options.. I love the coconut margaritas..
Josefine: Definitely a mix of different types of Margaritas - classic, pineapple, spicy etc.
Agustina: In the form of margaritas for sure!
Serra: Spicy margaritas!
It looks like you have so much fun on stage. And that then spreads to the audience and means that we have so much fun with you. Was there a conscious effort made for live shows to be like this or just a product of the music?
Nic: I think it’s a combination of the music itself and just playing live. Even when you’re tired or had a difficult day, the music is so fun, and our audiences always have such a great energy.
Serra: Totally a product of the music. It’s impossible not to have a good time playing the tunes and being on stage with each other makes it feel like we are playing at a friend’s party. The vibe from the girls on stage is definitely what drives me.
Who make YOU feel this way when you listen/watch to them?
Serra: I got that from watching Sia perform in my home town of Perth about 10 years ago, it was so much fun and her humour was really shining through in the best possible way. I’ll throw in Hot Chip and Babes in Toyland in there too.
You all met in London - so allow us to pick your brains:
Best place to dance on a Friday night?
- Josefine: Moth club’s 80’s nights.
-Agustina: Moth Club.
-Serra: Moth Club.
Best place to eat?
- Josefine: Lucky and Joy in Clapton
-Agustina: Someday
- Serra: Dotori and Q&T in Finsbury Park
Best pub?
- Josefine: Perhaps more of a bar than pub but we’ve been hitting up Someday in Finsbury Park a lot lately! Incred Margaritas.
-Agustina: Shackewell arms
Best place to spend a hungover Sunday?
- Josefine: In bed
-Agustina: In bed with my cat
-Serra: On the Couch playing Zelda
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Agustina: I’ve been listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac and Rosalia.
Serra: Yumi and the Weather, Alpine, Alice in Chains and Clio.
What do you listen to on the Last Bus Home?
Josefine: Usually when on my way after a long night I tend to go through my Shazam and see what new/old songs I picked up during the night.. It’s usually a right mix! So that said - here are my latest Shazams…
Dance With You - Carrie Lucas
Melt! - Kelly Lee Owens
Adi Rani - Mano
Agustina: I always have a playlist that I obsessed over for a few weeks and just listen to those songs, mine right now are:
Rodrigo Amarante - Tuyo Siempre
Fleetwood Mac - Oh Daddy
Rosalia - Hentai
Hot Chip - Ready For The Floor
Serra: Mine is such a mix as well - my last listens on tour were-
Clio - Faces
Jewel - Who Will Save Your Soul
Chaka Khan - We Can Work it Out
Charlotte Hatherly - Behave
Michael Jackson - The whole Thriller album
Want to check out all of these songs but don’t have the patience to type them all out? Not to worry, we’ve chucked them all into a playlist for you, for your next bus ride home… don’t forget your stop!