Argentina’s connection to progressive and deeper electronic music has long been defined by DJs and producers drawn toward atmosphere, tension and emotional detail over quick-impact moments.
Rocio Portillo has emerged naturally from that lineage.
Her rise through the underground has been guided by a sharp instinct for deeper, understated sounds and a style of storytelling that favours patience over excess.
Across her sets, textured grooves unfold with a restraint that keeps one foot rooted in the underground while remaining deeply engaging on the dancefloor.
That balance has steadily established her as one of the more compelling artists to emerge from Argentina’s current wave of selectors and producers.
When Rocio joined us at Balance Croatia last year for a Boat Party set across the Adriatic coastline, she delivered a sound that felt fluid and immersive. We’re looking forward to welcoming her back this August for another chapter — this time on land.
Ahead of her return, Rocio reflected with us on the experience of playing Balance Croatia and the moments that made last year’s festival so memorable.
The memory that comes to mind most vividly is the genuine love for music shared by everyone present, who in one way or another contributed to the festival, immersed in a natural paradise.
Another memory is the cultured audience that appreciates and respects the talent of artists from different parts of the world, and the closeness and friendship that existed among all the artists.
It was one of the most beautiful and historic moments of my career and of progressive music worldwide.
As you prepare to return to Balance Croatia this August, what are you most looking forward?
First and foremost, I’m looking forward to preparing new music to try out live. This year my show will be on land and at a different time than last year, which I’m really excited about.
I want to do a hybrid format this year, so I’ll have a few surprises prepared for everyone.
On the other hand, I’m eager to hear my colleagues play, learn from them, and connect on a more personal level with them, as well as with the audience and some of my family who will be traveling with me again this year.
What about the festival sets it apart from other festivals for you?
What makes it different is the presence of most of the relevant artists of the same sound together, regardless of their country of origin, age, or stage in their careers, supporting each other for so many days in a row, as well as the commitment and hard work of Tom and the entire Balance team in putting on a festival of this magnitude.
For me, it is a true source of pride, honor, and responsibility to represent my country and the female talent of Argentina, and I am eternally grateful to be able to take my music so far from home at one of the most epic festivals in history.
