From Basque to Bass Loving DJ/MC: BRAVA talks about her love of UK bass music and bold self-expression as she makes her mark behind the decks
Photo by Kenneth Anderson | Styling by Daniela Noriega
On Rotation Q&A: BRAVA
Every so often, there’s artists that just grab your attention so boldly you have to take notice, and are so unapologetically themselves with unwavering eccentricity you can quite literally feel them moving scenes forward with their distinct creativity – DJ/MC BRAVA from the Basque country is one of those artists!
BRAVA moved to London not long ago for a change of scene, as well as to feed her affinity for UK bass music culture and learn from the scene here. Now she’s starting to turn heads with her uniquely frivolous and eccentric music, as well as noisy DJ sets that merge genres while giving crowds a piece of her mind. SoundScout Mag had a chat with her to find out what brought her to London’s DJ booths, and the method behind her madness…
Where are you from? And how did that environment influence you to start DJing and making music?
I’m from Donostia, a lil beach and mountain city in the Basque Country in the north of Spain!
I never thought about being a DJ, I was writing my lyrics in the shadows. I was just a young teenager, a happy and depressed girl discovering the world, wanting to express myself artistically. My friend Flaca came and asked me, “Girl, do you wanna learn to DJ? I’ll show you!” And that’s how I started!
As I was working the bar at Dabadaba (the unique venue in Donostia and the best in Spain), they started booking me! And that’s how it happened! I was like ‘WTF! I play the music I love (trap, rap, reggaeton, dancehall at that time) and the people enjoy it! Amazing!’
In terms of starting to be an MC and releasing music, when I gained self confidence from DJing, I was wanting to express myself more! My debut single HOLA HOLA talks about the excitement of going on a night out (it was written during COVID). And I told my friend Rumbler, do you wanna do the beat on this? And then it happened! So easy, organic and banging!
Your music combines a lot of different styles and genres, with a focus on electronic/bass music in particular. Where are you based now? And has this place influenced your music?
I’m based in London now, I’ve been here for one year and a half. I love it! I’m so broke but rich in experiences! I’m so happy because I’m learning a lot. I came because I love grime! The MC culture here is so big and the soundsystem culture as well. I just felt like a change and to leave Spain, and as I feel super related to UK bass music, it was perfect. It’s the fat, raw and bouncy tunes, the MCs spitting bars so hard…so crazy and fast! SO ENERGETIC I LOVE IT!!! You can feel all these influences in my music!
From your discography, what’s been a standout collaboration for you? And why?
I think with Metrakit. He is my brother with whom I’ve done almost all my songs. He is so good, so simple, minimal, crazy and hard – it’s the perfect match. It’s so easy as we go the same direction and we have super fun together.
Another brutal collab was with my brother Ron Mercy, we have just released Estrapón on Moveltraxx! I love him, I love Miami Bass, and with him is the best way of doing it! We have never met in person, I’m so excited for that and so happy that we have been able to make this tune together from a distance, so easy and so organic as well!
And lastly, collabing with Sal del Coche band on the ‘Maquina de humo’ tune – a different style that I haven’t done before. They are a Basque band that I love, my favourite band right now. They are so fresh, so good, they mix all the music I love, and also what I don’t know. So beautiful, so exquisite, so mindblowing, so perfect!
What has been the biggest challenge in your musical journey so far? And how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge…becoming a music star hehe. It is basically what I wanted to do since I was a child, but I thought I was not very capable…I still have a loooooot to learn but I love how I’m slowly doing it!
What’s your latest single ESTRAPÓN all about? Can you translate some lyrics and explain them to us…?
YES! I basically talk about fucking and playing with a person using a strap on! With the dildo on me! Playing with the ‘power’ etc, so good hehe! Just a sexy song about having sex hehe!
A bit of translation:
I’ll fuck you with the strap on
I do it to the rhythm of this song
I know it seems like fiction
I love to do a good action
I’ll fuck u with the strap on
And then u to me – team work
They press my button – ding dong
They beat me with goal
I’ll fuck u with the strap on
In the kitchen
Or on the balcony
In the toilet
Or in the living room
With or within
With or WHAT?!
In the plane
In the tractor
On the sofa
Or in the mattress
I’ll hit u with the strap on
I look in the mirror and I’m a badass HEHE
You’re a bold performer behind the decks. What exactly inspires or motivates you to MC during your live DJ sets?
Pffff because I love/need to say things, my screams or my messages. It’s so important for me because I love to express myself, more than playing the music of other artists (that I love too, but sometimes it’s not enough)…and also to be closer to the audience and make them participate!
Where has been your favourite venue to perform at? And if you could pick anywhere in the world to play a show, where would it be and why?
Pffff….I’ve been to a lot of places, but I think Dabadaba is the best, because it’s my home, with my family and the sound is FUCKING GOOD!
And I’d love to play wherever with Sinai Soundsystem. I think it would be my dream! And if it is in Iceland watching the aurora borealis, even better!
What’s the best thing about being an independent artist in today’s music industry?
Hmmmmm, you learn a lot about all the processes and learn how to manage the lil money you have! There’s no pressure to release stuff, or to reach wherever. I have total control of my music, and the income is more direct.
You learn about production, distribution, design, communication, legality…which gives you tools to have more control. As well you are not obliged to be part of networks that do not represent you and you link yourself to more related scenes, like DIY, activism, community.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2025? And can we expect an album in the near future?
I’m recording a lot of tunes with amazing UK and Spanish producers! So singles and maybe a lil EP are gonna be a part of that, and out soon. Then shows and DJ/MC sets around Europe, the UK, and more places. It’s so exciting!
And YES! I’m thinking about recording an album after these singles are released. I just need to collect some money and find the time. SO excited for that!
