Beyond the beats: Barbara Lago on Netflix, new sounds, and what’s next

From small-town beginnings to international festival stages, Bárbara Lago has emerged as one of Spain’s most dynamic electronic music artists. Based in A Coruña since 2015, her journey from passionate music enthusiast to DJ exemplifies a remarkable evolution in the techno scene.

Photo credit: Bárbara Lago – Official

Since becoming El Pelicano’s resident DJ in 2016, Lago has performed with major artists like Amelie Lens and Oscar Mulero at top venues throughout Spain and Portugal.

2024 has been particularly transformative for Lago, marking her debut performances at Ultra Music Festival and Kappa Future, alongside a noteworthy appearance in Netflix’s ‘Ni Una Más’.

Her musical style has evolved from melodic techno to incorporate harder, industrial elements and rave-inspired sounds. Currently working on an upcoming EP and collaborating with Berlin’s Innergate label, Lago stands at the forefront of electronic music’s next wave.

EG sat down with Barbara Lago to discuss her recent success, upcoming projects, and her perspective on the evolving electronic music landscape.

EG: Hi, Bárbara! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?

Bárbara Lago: Hi! Thank you so much for having me. I’m doing great, thank you! I’m actually at my home studio right now, taking a little break.

EG: First of all, congratulations on what has been quite a unique year for you. Any personal highlights so far?

Barbara Lago: Of course it is! This year has been crazy. I’ve had the opportunity to travel for the first time to several countries like Argentina, Chile, and Peru, which has been amazing. Also, I’ve been playing at some of the festivals I’ve been looking forward to the most, like Kappa Future or Ultra Music Festival, which has been a dream come true.

EG: Your appearance in Netflix’s ‘Ni Una Más’ must have been one of those surreal moments, we imagine… how did that come to be?

Barbara Lago: Yes, it was a surreal and fun experience, especially because it is so different from what I usually do. The team contacted me and gave me details about their project. I thought it could be a great opportunity. We got down to work and it turned out to be an amazing experience, I’m very happy to have been involved in something like this.

EG: And what can you tell us about ‘Unreturning’, which was created specifically for ‘Ni Una Más’? Was this your first time creating something that had to work in tandem with a visual reference? Will it ever see the light of day as an official release?

Barbara Lago: Yes, this track was created specifically for ‘Ni Una Más’. It was quite a challenge because I had to step outside my usual style to create something that fit the scene. It’s not the kind of track I would normally make, but it was the one the team chose. The tricky part was that I didn’t have a visual reference or much detailed context for what was needed. They gave me a general idea of the scene, so I created a selection of tracks that were quite different from one another to cover various possibilities. Since this track was custom-made for the project and is quite far from my usual style, it’s unlikely that it will ever be officially released—sorry! (laughs)

“That’s the beauty of music, you never really know where it’s going to take you. Even a few months can lead to unexpected changes”

EG: Speaking about releases, we know that you have an upcoming EP in the pipeline. Is there anything you can anticipate on that front?

Barbara Lago: Yes, I’m currently working on it, and I’m really excited about some of the collaborations I have lined up. It’s still a bit early to share more details, but the plan is to have it ready for release in the next couple of months.

EG: By the way, how would you describe your sound? Are you making the music that you thought you’d be making when you first started producing/mixing?

Barbara Lago: When I first started, I was drawn to the other side of techno. Over time, though, I began blending it with harder, faster sounds, allowing my style to evolve naturally. I always aim to keep the core essence of techno while constantly pushing boundaries and experimenting with new sounds. Looking back, I’m definitely not making the kind of music I thought I’d be creating when I started. My sound has evolved significantly. I still have many unreleased tracks from my early days that feel worlds apart from what I produce now. But that’s the beauty of music, you never really know where it’s going to take you. Even a few months can lead to unexpected changes.

EG: You hold a privileged position within the esteemed and consistently sold-out Blackworks event concept. How did this connection come to be and how important has this been in your development as an artist?

Barbara Lago: For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Blackworks events, and from the very start, I felt a deep connection with both the team and the artists. What began as a professional collaboration soon grew into a friendship. Being part of Blackworks has played a significant role in shaping my journey as an artist. We connected during a pivotal moment of transformation in the music scene, and through this collaboration, I found the opportunity to explore new ideas and discover what truly resonates with me.

EG: On to a hot topic now… how do you feel about the current state of the scene? Is social media too closely related to one’s ascension in this industry?

Barbara Lago: I feel that social media has drastically changed the landscape of the electronic music scene. Like anything, it has its positives and negatives. On the positive side, it allows any artist to build their own profile, share their work, and grow a fanbase without relying solely on large companies, which were once the gatekeepers to success. On the flip side, there’s no longer a filter to truly evaluate an artist’s talent. These days, anyone can be out there, and some gain massive followings simply because of a viral TikTok video or eye-catching visuals, often overshadowing the actual talent and work behind the scenes. As for me, yes, I do use social media, it’s an essential part of my work and plays a significant role in it.

“Being part of Blackworks has played a significant role in shaping my journey as an artist”

EG: Finally, what can we expect from Bárbara Lago in the next few months? Where can your fans catch you next?

Barbara Lago: In the coming months, I’ll be playing in Rome to say goodbye to the year at Spazio 900 with Blackworks. In January, I’ll be visiting Switzerland for the first time and, in Madrid, I’ll be doing a b2b with Daniella Da Silva for Crow. I’ll also be at Fabrik in March, and there are many more surprises coming in 2025 that I can’t wait to announce!

EG: Thank you so much for your time, Bárbara! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!

Barbara Lago: Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure, and I wish you all the best as well!

Bárbara Lago ‘ Emergency Control’ is now available on No Mercy. Stream and download here.

Follow Bárbara Lago: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook