Breaking Musical Barriers: Unveiling the Secrets of Barbara's New Hit, "Sneaking Around"

Barbara Sneaking Around — photo credit: Matias Castello

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Barbara, a talented Bay Area singer-songwriter and DJ, to discuss her latest release, “Sneaking Around,” and her unique approach to music. With her distinct blend of trip-hop and hazy vibes, Barbara has captivated listeners and showcased her versatility as an artist. We delve into her celebration of the song’s release, her exploration of different genres (like how her last release had more Halsey/Billie Eilish vibes), the involvement of her fans in her artistic process, and how to create the perfect playlist.

Congratulations on your release of “Sneaking Around!” This song has major trip-hop/hazy vibes and it is SO GOOD. How have you been celebrating the release?

Thank you so much! I am so glad you’re digging the track. It’s sexy right? I just threw a release party at my friend’s place in NY overlooking McCarren Park in Williamsburg and it was super fun. After my live performance of this track and a few others off my upcoming album, Palm City Dreams, I did a DJ set on his roof. It was so much fun!

This single is so different than your May release “Ride the Wave”. You don’t often see artists exploring so many different genres back to back like this, tell me about that.

I follow no rules and no genres hehe. Yes, this one definitely showcases my darker, grungy, vibey side and my love for 90s bands like Portishead and Sneaker Pimps, Natalie Imbruglia and Audioslave. If you listen to the full album, Palm City Dreams (coming out later this year), it is such a wild ride of pop, disco, house, deep house and alternative / indie rock. And I would have it no other way because these are all genres I love to play with as a singer-songwriter and DJ. I’m a creative at my heart and soul. Sneaking Around was so funnn to make and to write about. It brought me immediately back to my high school days of sneaking out with this boy in my town. I’ll never forget the scent of Old Spice from our many adventures together LOL.

You’re also a DJ. As a DJ, how do you choose your songs and create a seamless flow during your sets? What factors do you consider when selecting tracks for a particular event or venue? (Low key wondering if there are some playlist tips along those lines here. Creating the perfect playlist is always a struggle!)

Yes it is! I try to create playlists based on mood, vibes and environment. I would say how I create as an independent, performing artist is also very much how I create a set and have defined my “sound” as a DJ. I am definitely known to be bouncy, funky, playful and spread joy with my sets. But I also have this darker side where I love acid techno and underground jams haha. At the moment I’m obsessed with Modular Project, Kino Todo and Fargo Devianti. When I plan a set I’m thinking about environment, crowd, new music I’m digging and oldies that I love to play. I start creating the setlist in Rekordbox and include way more music than the actual length of my set because you never know.. I’ve played a 10-12 hour party before and it was great but you need to come ready with lots of music. So when I’m at the gig I have a rough idea of what I’ll play and what will transition nicely but I also have a few more goodies to play with if the vibe is going in another direction. And that’s fun because I get to be adventurous and spontaneous. A DJ that I look up to and respect a long time ago told me to focus on the song curation first and foremost so you could say I’m a purest. I care less about crazy effects and more about how to select and blend each track so you can no longer tell which elements are coming from what track. To the listener it should feel like a seamless journey with a build, a break, climax, etc. There’s no rush to get from A-B.

Do you think that’s part of why you’ve been able to meld genres in your own music together so well?

ABSOLUTELYYYYY!!! I find inspiration everywhere. I’m always listening. My liked songs on Spotify are such a hodgepodge lol. I’m only satisfied and interested in stuff that challenges me and makes take a 2nd listen like huh that’s really unique or gives me a full-body experience when listening to a track. If I were any app on my phone it would be Shazam. Friends usually hum or sing me a song and I can name it for them haha

With this in mind, how do you approach the balance between experimentation and maintaining a cohesive brand and musical identity?

Oooh great question. I think I’ve created a brand and musical identity that has enabled or allowed room for creativity and flexibility because I can really play anything under the brand of funky, upbeat and playful. If you came to a show and heard the same style each time or only 1 genre on my album then it wouldn’t be Barbs. I would say the one area I’m playing or experimenting now is how much darkness, grittiness and edge can I get away with because I am known for spreading joy? I think I can go there because you need light with the dark but we’ll see what folks think when they hear Sneaking Around and some of my newer DJ sets. I also feel like I’ve built my life around taking risks, living on the edge and having confidence in your decision (cue my costume style and pink hair haha) so this mindset allows me to approach making music with a curiosity and openness.

You chose to have fans select the next single, it was between “Sneaking Around” and one other song and they chose “Sneaking Around”. Tell me more about involving your fans in the process like that.

It was such a neat experiment! I really thought folks would select Tequila, the other option, and Sneaking Around beat it for a long shot haha. Guess we’re in ferel girl summer mood HAHA. It was such a no brainer to bring my fans into the mix because it’s important to me that they feel like they’re on this journey or ride with me. I also was really struggling on which one to release next so it was helpful to clearly see which track folks were feeling more. I would recommend this to any artist, why not let your fans play a more active role in your artistry?

You are super active on Instagram, something I think a lot of indie artists struggle with. What advice would you give the artist who wants to create a community there?

Really? I don’t even feel like I’m that active when I look at other artists posting constantly. Like I wish I had more time to create reels of me singing or more bts, day in the life or me making a mix, etc. And that’s the issue with social media…always comparing yourself to others ugh! Something that Amber Horsburgh promotes is doing batch content. Picking a day or weekend and shooting everything you could post for a month so you have a timeplan and strategy. I’m trying to get better at this.

For folks just starting out I would say lean into what makes you, YOU. Think about the story you’re telling and show all your areas of life, not just your wins and not only your music. The algorithms know when you’re posting to promote something and not being authentic. For me for example, I can be really silly and goofy. Sometimes its not sexy but it’s what make me ME and it makes me happy to post it. Don’t be too critical on how you look or crafting the perfect post, people want the real you.

You also have your own show, Hen Haus on BFF.com out of San Francisco. You have so many ways of getting your music and brand out there between your own music, DJing, radio, collaborations, and everything else you do. Do you think that’s crucial in today’s music industry?

Yes! I love my radio show, Hen Haus, on BFF.com!! It airs biweekly on Sat nights, 12-1am. It has been so fun having my show, getting connected with more artists and making mixes. There are no rules to play by, it’s my brand and I love it. I don’t know if it’s critical to be honest. I definitely feel overwhelmed by how much I’m doing write now but I’m kind of testing things and seeing where the best response will be. I would say its different by genre too like I know for country and alternative and more pop that your live gigs and socials are way more important. But for me, because I started as a DJ then producer then singing again and writing, that each of these activities kind of fuels the other. And they have been natural extensions of my art. You want to reach your fans where they are and it really varies by artist and genre.

In honor of the mystery and sexy haze of “Sneaking Around” what’s a secret story you can tell us about the song?

OMGGGG well the cat is out of the bag now hahah. Grab some tea and settle in. I went to an all girls catholic high school growing up so I definitely lived for my weekends and spending time with the opposite sex. I remember meeting this guy that I was attracted to and it was really convenient because he lived really close to me. It was finals week and I need a distraction (or outlet to let out some stress) so we’d happen to be online (idk if you remember AIM) so the line about “I see you online” is exactly about when he’d message me and we would meet up to “study.” It was summer and super hot in Boston so my AC would be so loud it made it so easy to sneak out of my house. I actually jumped out my window because I lived on the first floor with my mom. Much later on (think I was in college) my mom said she remembered hearing noises at night but had no idea what was happening. She was so trusting lol when I have children there will be bars on the window JK I’ve done soo much they will never get away with anything. So yeah the whole song is about me sneaking out in high school and us needing to be home before the “sprinklers turned on” and street lights turned off. Great times

You’ve played some major venues like Black Flamingo & W Hotels, and even Burning Man. How do you adapt your style and energy to different crowds and environments?

I would say that I bring all the ingredients and essence of me (DJ Barbs) no matter where I play but I will flex in different genres and styles depending on the event, the vibe and the crowd. For example, at Burning Man, it’s all about experimentation. I am super excited for this year since I’ll be playing more notable sound camps and art cars! At the W residency it’s been awesome to get the feel for performing vocals live while I DJ and at clubs like 1015 Folsom and White Rabbit, I really go with the crowd and what we’re feeling. The last time I DJed White Rabbit I had this super fun group of girls dancing in front of the DJ booth and we were vibing to Spice Girls edits and a Milshake remix so it all depends. But you’re guaranteed to catch my energy and feel really good and happy wherever you catch one of my sets ?

What’s next for you?

The Grammys lol. It’s a big dream of mine to win a Grammy one day for my music but know I have many steps to take before that. Right now I’m focused on creating awesome music, collaborating with as many artists I can, and putting myself out there more on socials. I’ll have some really fun house tracks coming out later this year on Data Transmissiona and Lots of Practice, a music video for my song “Girls for Sport” and my full album, Palm City Dreams later this fall. Please tune into my socials and follow me on Spotify to stay up to date on all the new music coming out and new shows as they get announced!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you so much for your support!!

Follow Barbara:

Instagram I TikTok I Spotify

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