Balance Selections 287: Rocío Portillo

This Rocío Portillo Balance Selections mix is testament that the progressive underground is alive and well in Argentina…

Hailing from a lineage of creatives, Rocío Portillo is part of a new generation of South American producers making serious waves. Staunchly Argentinean, the influence of Hernan Cattaneo were  always going to loom large on her musical development. And so it happened she attended one of his Moonpark events which would seal her fate: “It was then that I fell deeply in love with electronic music.” That love has led to total immersion.

Today, she is one of the country’s rising talents, with releases on Mango Alley, Clubsonica, and Univack. In early 2021, she expanded her creative endeavors by forming a band with fellow Mendoza talents, Karim Sar Sar on saxophone and Valley (AR) on keyboard, guitar, and arrangements. This collaboration birthed a unique hybrid format, blending live performance with studio composition, where her distinct vocals play a central role.

Make no mistake: Portillo dabbles in a dark, driving progressive sound best described as underground. It’s designed for smoke-filled clubs where people dance, head down, blissfully unaware of their phones. Alongside unreleased Rocío Portillo productions, you’ll find a selection of rising talent like Juan Buitrago, Agustin Lupidi, and Claudio Cornejo. This is a stomping progressive mix that doubles as a showcase for the strength of the Argentine dance scene.

Name: Rocío Portillo
Location: Argentina and Spain
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Alias/Producer name: Rocío Portillo
Labels affiliated with: Sudbeat | The Soundgarden | Mango Alley | Sound Avenue

I am a product of music; my parents met through it. My mother sang in a choir which was directed by my father. I grew up listening to classical music, tango, folklore, milonga, pop, rock, and Latin American music. I’ve listened to music all my life.

My father took me to music rehearsals, and our home was always filled with songs or the sound of him playing the piano.

When I was a child and teenager, I started listening to commercial electronic music on the radio, in movies, and on television programs like MTV and VH1. Artists like Daft Punk, Tiesto, and David Guetta left a significant mark on me during that time.

As an adult, I began going to parties, with Hernan Cattaneo’s Moonpark being particularly memorable. It was then that I fell deeply in love with electronic music.

If I remember correctly, one of my first electronic parties was Carl Cox in Mendoza, along with Moonfest many years ago. The Carl Cox event was historic for Mendoza’s electronic scene, drawing a massive crowd to a venue that remains iconic and important today.

Moonfest, held at the Potrerillos dam, is incredibly magical—listening to music surrounded by mountains, stars, and the moon is an unparalleled experience. Both events were among the most rewarding experiences of my life. I love my city and its landscapes, and I’ve had the opportunity to share my music at both these special places.

I draw a lot of inspiration from artists and musicians both within and outside of electronic music. Art, in general, and nature deeply inspire me. In my field, DJs and producers like Hernán Cattaneo, Guy J, and Nick Warren, as well as many electronic bands, are my greatest influences. I’m incredibly grateful to have shared stages with them and released my music on their labels.

Argentina has many talented artists who deserve recognition. I believe everything in art is interconnected, making it difficult to choose just one artist or create distinctions between what is better or worse.

I try to listen to albums in their entirety, as I find it fascinating to understand the concept behind their creation. I also explore individual singles across various genres to stay engaged and continually learn about different styles.

Recently, I’ve had Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” on repeat since its release a few days ago—I love immersing myself in music I enjoy multiple times.

An exercise I find enriching is complementing my music listening with interviews, classes, podcasts, and books. I learn a lot by listening to people, and it helps keep my journalistic side active, even though I’m not currently practicing it. However, I plan to return to journalism soon.

Currently, in my studio, I rely solely on software, producing with an Apple computer and Ableton Live. My setup includes an Arturia MIDI piano, an M-Audio electric keyboard, Yamaha monitors, an Audio Technica condenser microphone, Focusrite and SSL audio boards, Beyerdynamic headphones, a Traktor controller, and a Helycon Voice Touch 2 for vocal effects.

My next goal is to invest in synthesizers for my studio; I’m fascinated by analog sound design. I’m fortunate to have friends with professional studios for guidance, and the Prophet 6 sequencer is at the top of my wishlist.

For my shows, I use CDJs and a Pioneer mixer, Sennheiser headphones, a Shure dynamic microphone, and the same vocal effects from my studio for hybrid DJ sets. I’m eager to deepen my studies in piano, guitar, and vinyl playing.

Recently, I returned to studying singing after a decade, having previously sung in choirs, and I’m also keen to learn bass guitar. I always strive to keep learning and professionalizing my craft.

For the rest of the year, I have releases planned on labels close to my heart. I’m also about to embark on my first European tour, so I’m alternating between traveling, performing, and spending time in the studio, where I’m working on new originals, collaborations, and remixes.

It’s been a fantastic year so far, allowing me to fulfill several dreams and goals. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has trusted in me and my music.

I will soon be sharing my European tour dates and will return to my country in a couple of months. At the moment, I have many sets and podcasts on my platforms; the latest one is my hybrid warm-up set for John Digweed. I am also working on new podcasts and developing my brand.

Sharing music from colleagues and pieces that evoke emotions is very valuable to me. It helps me express feelings and transport listeners to different moments. After all, music is a universal language.

In my sets, I always strive to include songs of my own creation and prioritize the music of incredibly talented Argentine colleagues. I believe it’s essential to showcase female talent in the industry worldwide.

I also value versatility and aim to vary between different types of music. Without a doubt, the music I choose is the music I love.

For this recording, I used a song created especially for the occasion—it always seems like a good excuse to create original music with a purpose, even if it never gets released to the market.

So, I included three unreleased songs of mine and music from colleagues that are either soon to be released or still unsigned. The recording is almost two hours long, done in a studio, and you can also hear my own voice on some tracks.

When I play live, I love to use and test my music, whether it’s sealed or not. Seeing people’s reactions and understanding what my music generates in others completes the circle and fulfills the purpose of creation. These songs of mine that I’m talking about will soon be released, so for now, I have to keep them to myself.

This song was incredibly special because it was a collaboration with a very dear friend I met through music, Andrés. In record time, we prepared a track for one of the most important record labels of the moment. Without a doubt, it marked a significant turning point in our careers.

Wow, it’s hard to choose just one. In electronic music, it could be “Bullet” or “Todo Homen.” Both of these remixes are among my top three best remixes I’ve ever heard, and they are crafted by incredibly talented Argentine artists and friends. And from another type of music, Vivaldi‘s Four Seasons always moves me to tears. They are truly masterful works.

Poor Creatures – and I really like anything by Christopher Nolan.

High Fidelity or Friends

Patagonia, southern of my Argentina.

Balance-Walter Balance

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