BLU DETIGER
You may have seen her bass covers on YouTube or her song “Figure It Out” all over TikTok; regardless, Blu DeTiger has been making waves during lockdown. Sitting down for an interview with Bridgette, the NYC-based singer/DJ/bassist talks all about the success of her newest track, what she has coming up, and also shared her playlist full of funky summer vibes— Blu’s Summertime Selects, linked below!
Interview
Interview by Bridgette
July 15, 2020
I’m your host Bridgette and I have a very special guest today: Blu DeTiger, welcome!
What’s up!
Where are you joining us from?
I’m in New York City right now, downtown at my parents’ house. That’s where I’ve been quarantining for the past few months.
Awesome, well I’m super excited to have you here today to talk about your music and everything that’s going on. So you play bass, you DJ, it’s awesome. What came first for you? DJing, making music, playing bass?
Yeah so bass came first. I started playing when I was 7, because my brother was playing drums. This is how the story goes: my brother was playing drums and I was like “I want to play an instrument too” and I didn’t want to play guitar because I thought it was mainstream… I don’t know what I was thinking when I was like 7. But I was like, “it’s so mainstream, I want to be unique and different,” so I chose bass! And now I play guitar and other stuff, but I’m glad I did because that as a first instrument gives you a whole different perspective. So I started playing bass at 7 and then I started DJing when I was 17, so that was way down the line. When I started DJing I would just bring my bass to my DJ sets and it kind of became a combo thing.
That’s so awesome. Was that an idea you randomly had? How did that come about?
I was getting really into the DJ thing and it felt very separate when I started, and then I was just like “Why don’t I just do it at the same time?” It’s all music, it’s all an expression of what you’re doing, you know? So I was like “why don’t I do it at the same time?” It definitely set me apart and I was getting booked way more because I was known for this thing, which is cool because the DJ scene in New York City is kind of competitive and it’s hard to get booked. So I was getting booked a lot and I was doing everything; I was doing like pool party warehouses in Brooklyn on like a Sunday, like weird stuff. Then I was doing fashion parties, and then I was playing downtown. And I was underage, too. I wasn’t drinking or anything, but I had to sneak into all the spots (laughs) with a fake ID and stuff because no one knew how old I was. I have some crazy stories, but I got really into it and I was really passionate about DJing too. So then when I decided that they would just fit together, it just kind of worked. I would just kind of improvise over my DJ sets and it was way more fun.
I love that! So I feel like, when listening to your music, bass is the crux of your sound. Is that where you usually start when writing a song or how does that usually work?
Yeah, it usually starts with the bass and drum groove. So I’ll start with a groove and then I’ll write over that; I’ll write the vocal melody and lyrics over that. I feel like all of my songs sort of have to have a cool bassline for me. (laughs)
Yeah, that’s your aesthetic. I love that!
Yeah, it’s like another form of melody for me too. Whatever it is.
Totally! And I love the contrast of your voice up here and then having that strong bassline. It works so well.
Thanks! I think it’s coming back, too— the real instruments thing and the funky thing. I’m trying to bring that back, as well. You know?
Yeah! Especially now, people are really into that because it’s so fun and carefree, and that kind of music just makes you want to dance.
Yeah!
And I feel like people need that.
Yeah totally, and it’s also just what I grew up listening to. The disco and funk stuff is what I would DJ a lot and is what got me excited about music, so that’s always going to e part of my sound.
Awesome! Are there any inspirations that stand out for you?
Yeah, actually I was talking about this earlier because I woke up really early this morning to teach this— not teach, I was special-guesting — this is a tangent side note — at this school in LA this morning and they were doing online music classes this summer and I guested as a collaboration with Fender. They asked me to come in and talk about myself a little bit, and they were asking really good questions. I was telling them how there were a few key songs that I heard that totally opened up my eyes to different sorts of playing. So I didn’t even think about it until today, so it's good that you asked that. “Good Times” by Chic is one of my favorite basslines; I heard that and was like “Whoa, this is so dope. This is so groovy. This is so sick.” The bass is part of the melody and it’s at the forefront of the song. And then when I heard Larry Graham and slap bass— that whole style, I was just like “Oh my God, this is so sick.” And then I got really into slap bass. So yeah, I feel like it was those key moments that really catapulted my learning.
Totally. And they just remind you why you love it so much.
Yeah! I hear it now and I’m like, “yeah, these are the best songs ever.” I practiced them for days and days, and that’s how I got better because I was just practicing those songs that I really liked for days.
That makes sense. So your latest song “Figure It Out” is killing it. What was the process behind making this song like?
This song started with that groove, and I was in a session with my friend and the words just kind of came out. It’s funny because my other songs start with a concept usually or something I’ve been thinking about, but this song just flowed out. I think it was subconsciously about something I must have been thinking about in those days but I couldn’t pinpoint it. So that song just kind of came out and it was written in like 20 minutes— the lyrics and the melody. And then I put it aside for a while— for like a year, because I wrote this in April of last year. So I put it aside for a while and I was working on a bunch of stuff, but I always just really liked it. And then I came back to it and finished it up with a different producer, and then it came out and I was really excited about it! But it wasn’t even— I was going to put out a different song first, but I just had a gut feeling that I wanted to put this song out, and it kind of made sense with the whole Corona stuff that was happening. It’s like, we’ll “figure it out;” it felt more uplifting. So I felt the content of the song would fit well with the time, so I’m glad it came out when it did!
Totally! I was going to ask about that. It just worked so well when you released it, because everyone was just feeling like: What’s going on? I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out.
Yeah! I was also a little bit scared to put out stuff because it was such a weird time, too. I feel like a lot of people were listening to older music for comfort and familiarity, and I was too. I wasn’t really checking out anything new, but then I think it came to the point where people were craving new stuff and they wanted new entertainment. So yeah, it’s just funny because I wrote it so long ago, but it was so meant to be— the time it came out. If it came out any earlier, it wouldn’t have made the same impact, you know?
Yeah!
Everything was meant to be.
100%! Going off of that new entertainment concept; it’s really blowing up on TikTok, which is awesome.
Yes, I love TikTok!
Yeah! So “Figure It Out” was used in over 366K videos, just the last time I checked, which is crazy! How does that feel?
Oh my God, it feels so good! I’m so hyped about it because I love that app so much and I’m so sad if it goes away. I know there are all of these rumors and I’m so sad. It’s okay, it’s fine. I’m over it now, but when I heard that I was like “Oh my God, I’m so sad.” But yeah, it’s so awesome because I was always so curious about the app, even when it first came out. I always had it on my phone but I wouldn’t use it, but I’d go on once in a while and be like “Oh my God what is this? This is so weird.” And then I was on tour with Caroline Polachek earlier this year and I was playing in her band, I was her bandmate, and I had to leave New York to go play shows for her in London. And right before I left— and also right after the Caroline tour I was supposed to go on tour with Fletcher, where I was opening for her and playing in her band. So I was about to be away for like 6 weeks, and I kept hearing about TikTok and I was like “I should just… let me just post something.” So then I posted something, and this was after I had it on my phone for like a year but never posted anything. I posted a video of me playing the day I left for the airport and I landed off my plane and I had 100,000 likes or something. It was just insane, I was just like “What!?!?” So then I was in London and I kept trying to make videos, I was like “I have to keep this up! I have to keep this up!” And then the tour got cancelled and I came home and it actually kept me so sane— having something to do every day. I just posted every day and it was so awesome; I was getting all these new fans and they were transferring over to my other platforms and stuff. So even before I put any music out, the app was already so helpful for me in building my fanbase. And people were really liking the videos and I was just like “Oh my God this is so sick! I’m so excited!” And then the song came out and, again, it was perfect timing because I already had a sort of a platform on there, and then the song miraculously did well on the app, as well. So it was all coming together so nicely and I’m just like “what!?” So yeah, super excited, super grateful. It felt like everyone was using videos and listening to the song and everything.
That’s awesome! I mean, that app is so crazy the way you can really engage, share, and collaborate with people, it’s unlike any other app.
It’s insane! I think the coolest part, too, is all these young kids reaching out to me about them learning how to play bass and it’s so cute! They’ll learn the bassline for “Figure It Out” and post it and tag me in it. It’s so cute and I’ve never had that! I’ve always wanted that— inspiring and empowering people to play an instrument. I’ve just always wanted that; when I was growing up I never saw a girl like me in that main pop sphere doing that, so I think that’s the most exciting part about all of it, is seeing these kids learn bass. It’s so cool!
Aw, that’s so precious!
Yeah, I’m hyped about it!
So you made a quarantine music video to “Figure It Out,” as well. How did that come together?
I guess I was kind of limited, obviously, at home and I was just trying to get creative with my limitations and do something fun at home just as a visual component to it. It was cool, it was like the first video I really directed by myself— well, I directed it with my brother, so the first video that me and him did. We do a lot of stuff together, but this was the first video that me and him did together. Yeah, it was cool. I wanted to have the quarantine aspect of it there: that you’re confined to a space, but you’re finding freedom in that confined space— hence “Figure It Out.” So I think it kind of worked! I’m happy with how it came out. I think it was just a fun visual to go along with the song.
Yeah, I love that! And did you make up that dance that went along with it?
Yeah, my friend is a dancer/choreographer, so that helped me. (Laughs) But everyone makes fun of me because I can’t do the ‘woah’ at all; I just can’t freaking do it and all my little TikTok fans make fun of me so hard for it. It’s so funny, but I just can’t do it! But I tried. (laughs)
I feel like not doing the ‘woah’ but being able to play bass well… I would choose bass. (Laughs)
They’re like: “Blu, stick to the bass,” and I’m like “fine guys, alright I tried!” (Laughs)
Whatever, you know what you’re good at! I love it. (Laughs)
Yes, know what you’re good at, I guess. That’s very true. (Laughs)
So the music video for “Tangerine” was a lot different. It was a lot more high production. What was it like making that one?
That one was so fun! It was a two-day shoot, it was kind of crazy. But I just thought that song has so many visual aspects to it— so much potential for cool visuals, and I really wanted to go all out with it. I was like why not make something the coolest that it can be? Or the biggest that it can be? So yeah, that was super fun. I had a bunch of my friends in it, and the makeup and hair was awesome. It was just really fun to do, and we had these Vogue dancers come in who were so talented. It was so cool. I really like that video still, I think it came out really good.
I love it! It adds such an imaginative side to the song.
Totally, and I really like that song. I feel like that song, “Tangerine,” was kind of the marker of the new Blu era— musically and sonically where I’m going. So I think “Figure It Out” was a good follow up and I have a bunch more stuff coming!
Oh yeah! Between videos of you playing bass, what else can we look forward to from you next?
Ahh, so I guess I can’t really say the release date, but I have another single coming out and probably another one after that and then a full EP drop! So I’m very excited. I produced a lot of it, as well. I’m pumped about it! It’ll be my first body of work, so I’m excited to put a project out.
Exciting!
A lot of it I wrote during quarantine, as well. A few songs.
Amazing!
Yeah I’m pumped!
So much to look forward to! Well thanks for coming and chatting with me!
Thanks so much for having me! This was so cool!
This interview originally aired on WNYU Radio with Bridgette Kontner on July 14, 2020 on The Sound Between at https://wnyu.org/archives/2020-07-14-the-sound-between