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Indie-pop singer Sophie Castillo on British Latinas: ‘Yes, we exist’

BBG News

On a sweltering 93-degree day in Austin, Texas, I encounter Sophie Castillo who opts to sit by the poolside at The Fairmont Hotel while wearing a lengthy leather jacket, explaining that she intends to keep it on.

Last month, the London-born musician shared that we experienced seven straight days without any sun. This performer, known for gracing the stage at SXSW, exclaimed, “I really miss feeling the warmth of the sun!

26-year-old Castillo, who hails from a Colombian mother and Cuban father, is devoted to showcasing and boosting the presence of Latin American culture in the U.K., mainly through her music. This unique blend of lush electronic tones and the rhythmic essence of salsa, bachata, and reggaeton reflects both her heritage and artistry. She aspires that these musical genres will gain popularity in the U.K., just as Afrobeats, ska, bhangra, and other musical styles did, which were embraced by immigrant communities and eventually integrated into British popular music.

She notes that British individuals are often underestimated for their open-mindedness, she remarks. Whenever she’s observed people responding to Latin music in the U.K., they’re enthusiastic. Instead of dismissing it due to its Spanish lyrics, they seem intrigued, asking “This is interesting, tell me more!

At Rozco’s on March 12th, during the Amigo showcase, Castillo, dressed in a cowboy hat and red velvet outfit, unveiled her latest single titled “The Betrayal.” This track is scheduled to be released on her upcoming EP, set for April. “The Betrayal” is a sensual baile funk song that brims with anger over being betrayed.

Castillo mentions that he has a fondness for Brazilian music and decided to experiment with funk fusion. He managed to incorporate an intriguing blend of a Shakira-like Arabic scale into the mix. The emotional intensity and cinematic quality were both present, which aligns perfectly with his preferences.

In addition to her Latin heritage, music pulsates through every vein of Castillo. Her father, Nelson Batista, a celebrated salsa dancer and disc jockey, honed his skills in dance at the Casa de Cultura in Havana before moving to London in the 1980s. He was the pioneer of salsa instruction in the U.K. Romance ignited between him and Castillo’s Colombian mother, who was also a skilled salsa dancer.

As a child, Castillo’s uncles Eddie and Lee frequently took her to watch musicals. Once she grew older, they motivated her to join an after-school drama club. To further enhance her musical knowledge, she started teaching herself song production with GarageBand at home.

She recounts, “My uncle Eddie delivered one of my CDs to Universal Studios when I was 13. It was quite amusing! I hadn’t had any connections within the music world, not even the Latin music sector. I was puzzled; how does one create a sound?

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I’ve admiringly observed how Castillo cultivated her audience authentically on TikTok, showcasing snippets of her songs to fans reminiscent of The Marías and Kali Uchis – two influential U.S.-based artists who significantly contributed to her journey as a Latina artist navigating multiple cultures. “I’ve always yearned to sing in Spanish,” I confess, “but I was just a tad timid.” However, Kali Uchis paved the way for the indie Latina by creating English-language music with hints of Spanish. I truly hold immense admiration and respect for that path she blazed.

2022 saw the debut of Castillo’s song titled “Call Me By Your Name”, a unique blend of dream-pop and bachata, sung in English. On her video, the caption read, “Imagine listening to an indie bachata from a British Latina.” The track quickly became a sensation, with many Americans expressing surprise, saying, “‘Wow, you guys are over there?'” Castillo remembers. They would often exclaim, “I can’t believe there’s such a thing as a U.K. Latino!

Although demographic classifications are available for Caribbean individuals originating from British colonies, it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact number of Latin Americans residing in the U.K. The census in 2013 showed that at least 250,000 Latin Americans were living there. However, a report published in 2024 revealed that the population of Latin Americans had grown significantly – by 406% in London and by 395% in England and Wales between 2001 and 2021.

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In the summer of 2024, Castillo received an invitation from J Balvin’s team to open for the renowned Colombian artist during his June 5th concert at the O2 Arena in London. This marked her as the first UK-Latina to perform at that venue, having previously showcased her talent at small open-mic nights at restaurants and clubs in Brixton, frequently alongside Desta French, a Latin alternative artist of Colombian and Italian descent.

She finds it remarkable; after all, TikTok functions as an incredibly potent instrument for her. It’s allowed her to work as an autonomous artist, giving her full autonomy and control to execute whatever she desires.

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2025-03-21 05:01

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