International Bamboo Bass: how Rodriguez has cultivated the Costa Rican techno scene through travel

One of the two gorgeous stages featured at Bamboo Bass:)

A Canadian artist showcasing his live painting at Bamboo Bass

Performers who accompanied musical acts with dancing, fire spinning, arial work, and more!

Bamboo Bass: a collective of artists and performers from all over the world celebrating bass and techhouse music in the paradise of Jaco, Costa Rica, located about 30 minutes inland in the heart of the jungle. From Canadian and Costa Rican production and artists to those from all over, this was a beautiful celebration in the jungle.

DJs Esteban et al under Puchero records

DJs Kevin York and Newball under Puchero records

One artist and her record label in particular caught our eye. Meli Rodriguez is a Costa Rican native, and the founder of Puchero Records, which works with not only Costa Rican artists, but those from all over the world. Not only is she an amazing DJ and advocate for women’s rights, but she is also a huge fan of traveling, filmmaker, producer, promoter, and web designer. Having lived in other countries such as Austria, Chile, and Spain, she experienced the techno scenes in these places and brought them back to create her own techno and electronic music scene in Costa Rica.

Meli Rodriguez bearing the symbol of her record label, a Pineapple 🙂

When living in Spain, she met her husband, and she came back to Costa Rica, and began to throw “formal” parties, and market towards a young audience, but soon she brought everyone into the mix. Soon enough, Puchero records has taken a stronghold in Costa Rica. Rodriguez recognizes the importance that music and art cultivates in people from different cultures and countries appreciating each other. In light of international women’s day, she says it is of upmost importance to “empower each other as much as possible”.