Podcasts

Dance Music Podcast: Femme Frequency 03: MOMASÉ

We are back with our third episode of Femme Frequency Podcast, this time with Momasé.

Momasé, a Colombian DJ and music producer currently based in Barcelona, has been deeply influenced by the sounds she absorbed while raving at warehouses in Bushwick and around the city after living for a decade in New York City. Her hybrid DJ sets generate eclectic journeys ranging from Chi-House, Deep and Minimal House, Progressive House, Acid House, Breaks and Techno to evoke oneness and power for dancers. She is also profoundly influenced by boleros and salsa.

Momasé is the co-founder of Overcome Collective and is currently a member of AMEBA Collective. She ́s dove into the Barcelona local scene, playing at Macarena Club, Red58, La Terrrazzza, Sala Taro, Asociación Freedonia, to name some. In 2024, she debuted in Berlin, playing at Birgit Club and About Blank.

She loves cats and chocolate.

In this podcast, Momasé takes us on a wildly eclectic musical journey from Beats, Down-Tempo, Micro House, House, and some touches of Techno to bring up the energy wherever you are listening.

After learning more about her, we became very curious about her trajectory, so we asked her a few questions to get to know her better.

1. After spending a decade in NYC and now based in Barcelona, how have these cities shaped your sound and approach to DJing?

New York City was the place that allowed me to be a full-time raver and dancer in the underground scene. I loved exploring and diving for example, into the Bushwick afterparties that were filled with House, Tech House, Minimal, Progressive, Tribal, Techno, D&B. You could go to these DYI parties on a Wednesday or Thursday night- morning filled with local DJs and have the best time. It was pure quality. And then you had the local clubs where you would get to discover outside DJs as well. New York inspired me to be a DJ. I became so curious about what the whole art of DJeism was about. I would sometimes go out on my own to places like TBA or the afters at Scott Ave or Bushwick A/V just to watch the DJ and try to learn and understand what they were doing (All these places had one thing in common, and it’s that the DJ booth is at the level of the dance floor.)

Barcelona is the place that has allowed me to evolve as a DJ. I’ve only been DJing for three years. My first gig with more than 100 people was in Barcelona. It’s been my school so far. Also, Barcelona is rich in sound. So, organically, my music selection has changed. In these past two years, I’ve met beautiful people with so much creativity and intention to contribute to the whole scene that they have become my mentors and guides. Shout out to AMEBA ( Asociación de música electrónica de Barcelona) Collective!

2. Your sets blend everything from Chi-House and Acid to Breaks and Techno. How do you navigate these styles to create a seamless journey for the dancefloor?

It’s all based on energy and what I want to express while playing. It’s funny because sometimes I don’t even know what genre I’m playing or hearing. I suck at understanding genres. Music is so wide. I go by the music that moves me and excites me and the energy that it has and the effect that it can cause on dancers.

3. As a co-founder of Overcome Collective and a member of AMEBA Collective, what role do you think collectives play in shaping underground electronic music scenes?

Local collectives are filled with so much drive. They start with baby DJs and promoters who want to give it all and wish to share their passion for music. Local collectives have so much genuineness in building a healthy ecosystem. I love the DIY mentality of local young collectives. They deliver inspiration. They provide community and safe spaces. They deliver new ideas and diversity.

Once you start seeing lots of money involved in throwing out parties, and the collective starts growing, something might get lost. So it’s important to continue supporting local collectives in your city who are doing this for the love of music and art.

4. Any standout club or festival moments that have stuck with you—either as a DJ or a raver?

As a raver, I would say Output, Resolute and TBA in New York. I recently went to Berlin for the first time, and I loved the energy at Club der Visionäre. For festivals, I just realized I haven’t gone to too many festivals but one that marked an important moment in my life was the first electronic music festival I ever went to – Ultra Music Festival in Miami. I was like 19 or 20 years old. Seeing John Digweed at the Carl Cox stage felt like a spiritual moment- an epiphany. I was barely exposed to the electronic music scene back then. And that was the first time I knew I wanted to be in this world.

As a DJ, playing at Macarena and Red58 in Barcelona has meant a lot to me. Playing with excellent sound systems in front of a solid crowd is such a great experience. Unforgettable nights.

5. What’s your process when preparing a set? Do you plan a rough direction, or do you let the crowd guide you?

First, I get all the info about the party: venue, time of my set, who’s playing before me or after me, and the event organizer to get an idea of the context in which I am going to play. One thing is to play at an intimate bar where people are there to sip on their cocktails and listen to music. And another thing is to play at a club at 4 am. I often prepare the first 2 to 4 tracks I am going to play. It helps me cope with my stage anxiety. I organize my tracks based on energy, moments of the night, and genre.

The crowd is definitely an important part of how the set is going to go. So I am always there paying attention about their reactions to decide which direction to take musically.

6. If you could do a B2B set with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

so many! I admire so many artists but if I have to pick, I would say Eris Drew, Octo Octa and CCL.

Eris and Maya are my favorite DJs and producers. I look up to them. I love their approach to music and art as a healing tool. They are so intentional and pure. So it’s a dream of mine to either play a b2b with them or do a warm up set for them.

CCL has given me so much exposure to different types of electronic music but also different forms of DJism. It would be a fun challenge to play with them.

Track List

Xhosa- Push it (Xhosa VIP)

SP:MC – Full Circle (Ft. Youngsta)

Florent Aupetit- Phantom

Dost, Dubet – Mittwoch (iki remix)

Ciri , Statik – Energy

ELEANOR- Thin end of the Wedge

Ploy – In Your Head

Greta Levska- Seven Digits

1-800 GIRLS- Feels Right

Modat – Late Night

Carlo – Naranja Amarga