Mexican Techno Producer La Bad Curly Breaks Down Club Dynamics, Ableton Workflows, and Visual World-Building Behind Her Latest Release
La Bad Curly is an emerging force in the Mexican techno scene, recognized for her dynamic sound and innovative production techniques. Her latest single, “Nuevo Oeste,” released in August 2026, showcases a fusion of hard groove, trance, electro, and sub-bass, adeptly woven together through intricate arrangements in Ableton. This record not only establishes La Bad Curly’s unique production identity but also reflects her experiences on dance floors around the world, from EDC Mexico to HÖR Berlin.
Background: From Synchronized Swimming to the DJ Booth
Before stepping onto the global stage as La Bad Curly, Sofía, her given name, spent a decade immersed in synchronized swimming. This experience laid the groundwork for her rhythmic sensibility, allowing her to understand music not just as sound but as a physical experience. Initially, she ventured into electronic music as a vocalist and dark disco DJ in smaller venues. However, her trips to Europe exposed her to a broader spectrum of club culture. It was here that she shed the limitations of genre, enabling her to experiment with various sound palettes and textures.
“My first connection to electronic music probably goes further back than I realized. I did synchronized swimming for ten years, and some of our routines used electronic soundtracks, so I was experiencing music through movement and rhythm from a very young age.”
Unique Influences: Beyond Traditional Club Sounds
Sofía’s sonic influences are not confined to typical dance music producers. She draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists and creators, including Wendy Carlos, known for her groundbreaking work with synthesizers, the genre-blending artist M.I.A., and the avant-garde electronic duo Crystal Castles. Additionally, her admiration for filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has shaped her artistic outlook. Del Toro’s ability to create immersive worlds resonates with her desire to elicit emotion and imagination through sound.
“Guillermo del Toro has inspired me since I was very young because of the worlds he creates through imagery, sound, and metaphor. That’s probably why I’m less interested in obeying one genre than in asking what a sound makes me imagine or feel.”
Mastering the Dance Floor: Evolving as a Performer
Transitioning from intimate venues to larger festival stages has allowed La Bad Curly to refine her understanding of audience dynamics. Her approach to playing live has evolved from simply reading the crowd to building trust with her audience, encouraging them to embrace unfamiliar rhythms.
“I started in very small spaces in Mexico, mostly playing dark disco, while my own taste was still evolving. I would introduce something unexpected, watch the reaction, and see how far people were willing to come with me.”
This transformative journey has empowered her to construct sets that respectfully challenge expectations and push listeners into uncharted rhythmic territories.
The Production Process of “Nuevo Oeste”
The creative process behind “Nuevo Oeste” represents a departure from conventional club music production. La Bad Curly meticulously crafted the track within Ableton, allowing visual inspirations—specifically an arid desert landscape—to directly influence the audio textures.
“The Western idea existed first, but a specific atmospheric texture in the break made it click sonically. It felt dry, mysterious, and windswept, like heat moving through an empty landscape…”
By rethinking her approach to arrangement, she prioritized an elastic structure rather than adhering to predetermined patterns. The result is a track that subverts expectations, offering listeners a journey through sound, texture, and rhythm.
“I treated the arrangement as something elastic rather than working from a fixed formula.”
A crucial aspect of her workflow involved relinquishing strict control. La Bad Curly embraced unexpected ideas and used unconventional sounds as building blocks rather than potential mistakes.
“Control can feel very safe in production… With ‘Nuevo Oeste,’ ‘why not?’ became almost a rule.”
Visual Storytelling: The Concept Behind the Release
Accompanying the sonic landscape of “Nuevo Oeste” is a visual narrative that complements the audio journey. The imagery features surreal elements, such as a referee wearing a “Make Love Not War” shirt and a USB drive depicted as a historical artifact. These motifs challenge traditional dance music aesthetics and provoke deeper thought about the role of technology and personal history in a DJ’s craft.
“A USB can look insignificant, but for a DJ, it can hold an entire version of who you are… If I handed my USB to somebody else… the set would never be the same.”
While the visual concept is rich and layered, the track maintains a strong focus on creating an energetic dance floor experience. With its driving percussion, deep sub-bass, and high-BPM propulsion, “Nuevo Oeste” serves as a potent weapon for peak-time sets.
“The dance floor is always the priority… if the groove or energy stops working physically, the idea is no longer helping the track.”
Future Aspirations and Evolving Performance
Having already showcased her hybrid sets at major festivals, including EDC Mexico, Coca-Cola Flow Fest, and HÖR Berlin, La Bad Curly sees “Nuevo Oeste” as a stepping stone for further artistic exploration. Looking ahead, she aims to develop audio-visual performances that deepen the connection between her soundscapes and visual storytelling.
“’Nuevo Oeste’ feels less like a destination and more like permission to keep exploring… What excites me most now is seeing how far I can develop this connection between sound, storytelling, and image while continuing to experiment without forcing La Bad Curly into a single genre.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic music, La Bad Curly stands out as a bold innovator, integrating her past experiences, diverse inspirations, and artistic vision into a sound that is distinctly her own.
