An Interview with Blu DeTiger
Written for Unclear Magazine, July 2022
At just 24 years old, the New York-based Blu DeTiger already has an all-star list of artist collaborations and an even longer list of credentials to accompany her name. Known as a bassist, singer/songwriter, and producer - just to mention a few - Blu was destined for the rockstar life.
During the height of the pandemic, Blu used TikTok as a way to share her music and was dubbed “TikTok’s Most Badass Bassist” by Paper Magazine in 2020. Her debut EP, How Did We Get Here?, along with many singles and remix releases, have helped push her to close to a million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. If this is your first time hearing about Blu DeTiger, just know it won’t be your last; and if you’re already a fan, then you’re no stranger to Blu’s incredible talents.
After Blu DeTiger took over Electric Forest’s Sherwood Court stage on Friday, June 24th, I was able to sit down with her, swinging on a couple of hammocks, to learn more about her career thus far, how TikTok changed her career, and her plans for the next few months.
Photo by Isabel Dowell
Starting off simple, why don’t you introduce yourself!
BLU: I’m Blu DeTiger - musician, artist, bass player, producer, singer, and we are here at Electric Forest!
With all those credits, how do you juggle everything?
BLU: I feel like they all mesh, it’s all music. I love music and everything comes together in that way.
Do you feel some days you want to be known as one thing over another?
BLU: I don’t think so! It all affects each other, but earlier when I was starting out, maybe I would’ve said I wanted to be one thing, but now I’m in a good place where everything works with each other. It’s all part of the same core person.
You’ve worked with a ton of artists - Bleachers, Olivia Rodrigo, Caroline Polachek - how has working with them impacted your career?
BLU: Just being able to learn from all of them is really important and seeing how they do things, as well as their professionalism. Having fun with them too! The Bleachers guys, I love them as people and we have so much fun together. Olivia’s thing was super fun to do and being able to see how she just crushes everything she does. She’s super professional and dope. In any touring experience I’ve had has been really helpful for when I go on tour, being able to learn the ropes and getting the experience in general is important. I’m really lucky to meet all these artists, work with them, and just have fun.
You’ve been releasing music since 2019 and really blew up on TikTok over the pandemic. How has social media impacted your career?
BLU: TikTok definitely changed my life. I was always doing music so I always thought I’d get to this point. This was always the goal. TikTok, and the pandemic, and how everything turned out just accelerated that whole process and exposed me to a wide audience.
Even if this was always your goal, do you think without TikTok or the pandemic you would still be here?
BLU: I think it just would’ve been a different path or would’ve taken longer, but I never really be able to say! It sounds cheesy but I was born to do this. I feel like in any way, shape, or form, my life would’ve led to this.
Is this your first Electric Forest?
BLU: I was here in 2019, I was playing bass for a DJ duo, The Knocks. It was really fun.
You’re no stranger to music festivals, playing Gov Ball, Bonnaroo, is there anything that sets Electric Forest apart from the rest?
BLU: I feel like this one is literally giant. This is in the forest, there are trees everywhere and the other festivals I’ve done aren’t like that. Last time I was here, it gets really beautiful at night with all the lights. It’s a really beautiful sight. The crowd here really loves music and everyone just wants to have a good time.
Is there any advice you wish you would’ve known when your career was just starting out?
BLU: I think I would tell myself to just do my thing and follow my passion. I would want to lean into what makes me unique and forget about all the other stuff.
Is that something you wish you would’ve done differently?
BLU: I don’t think so, I think it saved me a lot of overthinking. It’s easy to compare yourself to others and realize that nobody is doing what I’m doing. You don’t know how it’s ever going to be a thing if I’m the only one doing it, but it’s actually a positive thing that took me a while to come around to.
In the coming months, is there anything else we can expect from you?
BLU: Yeah! I’m releasing some new music soon. All of July I’ll be in the studio, working on an album. This is my last show for about a month. I’ll be working on a lot of music and announcing a full tour soon.
Do you have any plans for the new album?
BLU: I’ve been constantly writing, of course. I have a lot of songs and I’m in the process now of picking what I want to be a part of the project and also making new stuff.
What is the craziest thing you’d want to achieve in your career?
BLU: Oh jeez, definitely playing Madison Square Garden. It’s the biggest venue in New York and I grew up just knowing if you played there you made it.
You already have an all star list of collaborations, is there anyone else you’d like to work with?
BLU: I met Toro Y Moi last night because we were in the same DJ line up and he’s playing here again today. I really love his new album and I think it would be really cool to collaborate on something … but I have to ask him.
Blu DeTiger
Listen to Blu DeTiger here.