In the heart of Denver, a new kind of community is taking root, one where music serves as the meeting place, but connection is the true catalyst. What began as a grassroots gathering fueled by a love for drum and bass has grown into Girls Who Drum and Bass, a movement dedicated to creating space, visibility, and opportunity for women in music.
In this conversation, founder Dana Padilla reflects on the challenges of carving out that space in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the magic of watching strangers become family on the dance floor, and the vision that’s guiding the collective into its next chapter. Through every event and partnership, one message remains at the heart of it all: when people come together around a shared purpose, music becomes something much bigger than sound.
In Conversation with Dana Padilla from GirlsWhoDNB
seradopa: For those who may be hearing about GirlsWhoDnB for the first time, can you introduce the collective and explain its mission?
Dana Padilla: The collective was born in 2023 with a mission to produce meaningful, extremely intentional events that raise awareness among women across every corner of the drum and bass, heavy bass, and garage music scene.
From performers to artists and producers, our goal is to find unique, creative ways to reach different audiences and advocate for these female powerhouses. I always like to think of us as a platform to celebrate women through producing events with intention. While also bringing visibility to their technical skills, tenure, and story, it’s really important to explain their journey and how they got there. This is really the core of the work we’re trying to do, so being that stepping stone, getting the message out to different audiences, goes just beyond booking a female DJ.
We really want to build a space that we already know everyone is very familiar with, knowledgeable about, and loves, but we just want to do it in a way that’s different and unique. nd by no means has it been an easy ride, but it’s been very exciting and also rewarding.
seradopa: What inspired you to create GirlsWhoDnB, and why was it important for you to specifically focus on uplifting women and underrepresented voices within electronic music?
Dana Padilla: There are two parts here.
When I moved to Denver during COVID, I didn’t have a community or even friends here at the time. All I was certain of was intentionally renting an apartment that was walking distance from Black Box because I wanted to immerse myself in the drum & bass scene as much as possible. But what I noticed pretty quickly was the smaller female presence both on the dance floor and on lineups. It was actually pretty lonely for me, and I found myself wishing there were more women in the space: more people to connect with at shows, more girls to dance with, and to build community alongside.
That became a big motivation for what I wanted to create. I wanted to help build a stronger female presence in the Denver DnB community, and not just on the dancefloor, but up on stage as well. First learning how to DJ in the early 2000s, I experienced firsthand how often women were oversexualized instead of being recognized for their technical skills. It felt like I had to jump over extra hurdles just to be taken seriously.
I wanted to help change that narrative by creating something that felt more like an open door than an extra hurdle. A space where women could perform, meet each other, rave together, share tools and experiences, and feel safe to make mistakes without judgment. At the end of the day, it’s about building a community where people feel seen, heard, and like they belong.
seradopa: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while trying to create something new within Denver’s music ecosystem?
Dana Padilla: I’ve faced a couple of challenges. One is that drum and bass is such a niche genre. As a fan, you hear all the time that people either love it or hate it, and there’s some truth to that. But honestly, that’s also what makes it special. I feel like it’s more common to connect with others over house or techno, but when you meet someone who loves drum and bass, there’s an instant connection. It’s an instant bond.
I have gotten feedback that I’ve pigeonholed myself by building a drum and bass collective, since it’s a smaller community and such a niche genre. But that’s exactly what makes it meaningful. When you walk into a DnB show in Denver, you’re sharing space with people you have been dancing with for years. It feels like family. DnB is an acquired taste, but those who connect with it are often deeply passionate and eager to support the music, artists, and community behind it.
But because it’s such a specific sound, it can be harder to grow a collective compared to genres like house, which have so many different genres and visibility . Getting the masses to jump on board isn’t always easy, but for those who do, it’s worth it.
Another challenge has been building something from the ground up in a city like Denver. It’s a major music hub with a deeply established scene, so if you want people’s attention and trust, you have to offer something genuinely different. That trust isn’t given. You have to earn it, and that takes time, effort, and patience.
Something my team and I think about constantly is how to meaningfully represent and empower women in the industry. It’s more than just putting someone on a flyer or stage. That’s the baseline, not the goal. We want people to connect with these artists beyond being labeled as female DJs. We want audiences to know their stories, what they’ve overcome, how they got here, and how their music makes people feel. It’s about recognizing them as artists and people first, and we’re always looking for more thoughtful ways to do that.
seradopa: On the flip side, what have been some of the most rewarding moments or accomplishments you’ve experienced through GirlsWhoDnB?
Dana Padilla: The most rewarding moments are actually pretty simple. It’s when an event is in full swing and you’re standing back observing it all. People dancing, laughing, connecting on socials, partners sharing a kiss on the dancefloor. After you’ve poured your heart, blood, sweat, and tears into creating something, seeing people come together makes it all worth it. The climb getting to the event is really tough and my team will agree, it pulls the life out of you, but on the day of the event we always come together and hug and laugh about how well worth all that stress and anxiety it was
On event day, there is a humbling moment that happens. Sometimes it almost feels like imposter syndrome. Like thinking, “Really? You chose to spend your birthday here? You got a babysitter for this?” But when people start believing in what you’re building, you start believing in it too.
At the end of the day, all I want is to create a safe space where people can put life on pause. Whether that’s work, politics, or everything happening in the world, and just be present. Get loose, get weird, share smiles, and enjoy the moment. That’s what makes it special. I may have created the canvas, but the heartbeat of it all is the people.
And to all the women and men who agree to perform at our shows, it means the world that these artists are trusting us with their brand and their art, and that’s a massive honor. There’s a lot of gratitude there, and it’s definitely one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
seradopa: As women navigating the music industry, what challenges have you personally encountered throughout your journey?
Dana Padilla: This is always a topic I get a little nervous talking about, but I want to be clear: this isn’t about men versus women. It’s about access, resources, visibility, and opportunity. Historically, women have been less visible in electronic music, which has sometimes made it more challenging to earn the same recognition and opportunities as their peers.
I believe that there is this unspoken understanding that women often have to prove their technical skills over and over again. Breaking through to bigger festival lineups, headlining opportunities, press coverage, or record labels can be even more challenging. When I first started DJ’ing in college a very long while ago, I was once asked to perform in a corset and underwear. I said yes because I wanted the gig. Looking back, it’s pathetic to think about. I don’t think many male performers are asked to de-clothe to land a gig.
This is also why I decided to quit for a period of time during my DJ journey. I felt like I was getting booked because of the way I looked and not being valued and taken seriously as an artist.
Past industry behaviors had often put more focus on a woman’s appearance than her story, talent, achievements, or the work it took to get where she is. I am happy we have platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and other socials that have helped change that. They’ve given women the ability to build audiences, share their work, and grow their brands on their own terms.
I have experienced other forms of this dynamic in our collective, where people would come up to purchase merch and decide not to buy a shirt simply because it said “GIRLS” Who Drum and Bass and featured a woman’s face on it. That’s a tough reality, but it’s an important part of the conversation.
For me, the biggest priority is creating pathways for the next generation. Whether that’s DJ education, affordable equipment, production resources, or inclusive learning environments, we need to make it easier for women to get involved, experiment, and build confidence in their craft.
I will always believe the future of electronic music requires more female voices, and I am happy to say we’re moving in the right direction. We just have to keep opening doors and creating opportunities for the next generation of women to take risks and do their thing.
seradopa: How does GirlsWhoDnB help create a safer and more supportive environment for women artists, producers, and DJs?
Dana Padilla: Safety is really multifaceted. There’s physical safety, emotional safety, and professional safety, and we’re actively thinking about all three. We’re always looking at ways to build programs, initiatives, and conversations around them because, ultimately, creating a safe community starts with listening.
For us, that means keeping the door open for honest conversations, questions, concerns, and feedback. Whether it’s positive or critical. The more we learn from each other’s experiences, the stronger the community becomes. We want people to know they’re supported, heard, and welcomed.
A big part of what we’re building is a space where everyone is welcome: men, women, LGBTQ+, parents, friends, anyone, but a space where women can really feel seen and supported. For example, we will book male artists, but have committed to only having female headliners. We will always be inclusive of everyone in the community, but want to give room to make this about the girls.
I do love that at our events, we are all choosing to come together around a shared purpose: supporting women in music and empowering one another. That goes beyond nightlife, too. We really like creating community-focused experiences that are accessible to everyone.
There’s also something powerful about women looking out for each other. The more we build community, the more we create a network of support where people feel comfortable, safe, and confident showing up as themselves. When that happens, it creates a sense of momentum that’s bigger than any one event. It starts to feel like a movement.
seradopa: Daylight Sessions is returning for its fourth edition. What inspired this event series in the first place?
Dana Padilla: Daylight Sessions started from a really organic place. Coming from a family of event producers and wedding planners, I’ve always loved hosting events, even when I was young, and I’ve spent years working in talent management for political events, EDM shows, and festivals. Event production has always been part of my DNA, which I knew would be a part of my purpose.
As a San Francisco native, I grew up with park parties being a part of our religion. Dolores Park, Golden Gate Park. That energy of gathering outdoors, perfect weather, music, and community is hard to replicate anywhere else.
Our first Daylight Sessions event was donation-based. There was no budget, definitely no guarantees anyone would attend. We figured maybe a handful of people would show up, maybe nobody would. Instead, more than 100 people came out to the park in 2023. That moment will always be a core memory for me. My friends and I were overwhelmed with the turnout. It was very unexpected. The community gave us a chance, and it was this beautiful reminder of how strong the Denver community really was.
After the first Daylight Sessions, we knew we had to keep going. The following year, we brought in bigger sound, and we had Notlö do a surprise set. It scaled enough that the park rangers showed up, which was when we knew park gatherings were probably no longer in our future. We had to evolve, level up, and start properly producing these events.
Now we’re heading into our fourth Daylight Sessions. Our events always share the same bones, but the heart is always different.
This one is especially exciting because we’re taking over a new rooftop on the 16th Street Mall for its first hosted DnB event. We are also elevating production with a Funktion-One sound system, lighting, and bringing in Reid Speed to headline our event. Reid Speed is one of the pioneering female American DnB producers, and we are honored to include her in the Daylight Sessions experience
Beyond the music, we’re continuing to expand our inclusion of women-owned businesses into our events. We are hosting a mocktail bar and have specialty cocktails sponsored by female-owned companies, Felone Vodka and The Park & Wine Spirits, and we are prioritizing women-owned vendors for custom jewelry, henna, and clothing.
That’s a big part of our mission. It’s not just about showcasing female artists; it’s about creating opportunities for women across different industries and bringing them together under the Girls Who Drum and Bass umbrella. That’s what makes these events feel bigger than just a show, and it’s why I’m so excited about June 27th.
seradopa: What does success look like for GirlsWhoDnB in the long term?
Dana Padilla: I think success in the music industry can be a slow burn. Unless you have major financial backing from day one, or a robust network of connections, it takes time to build something meaningful. We’ve come a long way since 2023, and I know we’ll continue to see the results of the work we’re putting in with focus and as much grit as possible
In the next year, a big focus is expanding our footprint. We’re exploring larger venues and some really unconventional spaces that people wouldn’t typically expect to see music events in. We’re developing experiences that feel unique to our community, and I think people are going to be really excited about what’s coming around the corner. We just hosted our first DnB Flowstate event at Black Swan Yoga where we tied liquid drum and bass with wellness. It was a major success and proved that we can get creative outside of a conventional dancefloor, and we are looking to continue that creative intertwining of different worlds and practices with drum and bass.
But also all about relationship building. We want to continue building relationships with established women-led music collectives around the country, learning from the communities they’ve built and finding ways to collaborate. Whether that’s through shared events, educational initiatives, or projects that support women in music, we’re excited to create partnerships that have a bigger impact together than we could have on our own.
Giving back is another major priority. We’ve just partnered with organizations like Women in Music, and for Daylight Sessions, we are donating ticket proceeds to Envision:You Foundation in celebration of Pride Month. We want to continue working with nonprofits and charities that support women’s empowerment more broadly. For us, it’s important that the success of our events creates opportunities to support causes that help women, both inside and outside the music industry.
Long-term, we’re thinking big. We want to grow the community, expand the talent and lineups we’re showcasing, and create experiences that go beyond traditional venues and formats. Whether that’s bringing in international artists, hosting bigger-scale events, or creating entirely new environments for people to experience drum and bass, the goal is to keep evolving and pushing what’s possible while staying true to the community we’ve built.
seradopa: What advice would you give to women who want to get involved in the music industry?
Dana Padilla: The time is now. The industry has come a long way, and while there are still challenges, there are more opportunities for women in music than ever before. Whether you’re a performer, producer, DJ, or someone thinking about starting a collective, my advice is simple: just do it. The risk is low, failure is possible, but you won’t know unless you try it. Try something that is uncomfortable, but will bring you joy.
I bought my LLC for a dollar in 2023. The reality is that today, if you have an idea, you have access to all tools and platforms that can help you bring it to life. But you have to be willing to take the first step and get curious, do the research, and network
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you’ll never know unless you ask. Reach out to people who are doing what you want to do. Utilize your community around you, take those you look up to out for coffee, ask them about their failures, learn about their success stories, and start building your brand and stay true to your mission.
There will be moments when you want to quit, where the critical feedback cuts too deep, where the easy path to giving up feels safer. There will be days when you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or questioning whether it’s worth it. That’s part of the process, but growth doesn’t happen without doing the hard things and taking risks.
Everyone has an opinion and not everyone is going to like what you’re doing. You’ll be judged, and you might take it into consideration. But the more you put yourself out there, the more resilient you become. Your skin gets thicker, your confidence grows, and eventually you learn how to turn those challenges into fuel.
If you believe in what you’re building, keep going. The hard work isn’t wasted. Every setback, every lesson, and every uncomfortable moment is helping you get closer to where you want to be.
seradopa: If there’s one thing you want people to take away from GirlsWhoDnB and the work you’re doing, what would it be?
Dana Padilla: For this mission to move forward, every single person who has stepped onto one of our dance floors has played a role in advocating for women in music. Even though we’re called Girls Who Drum and Bass, every ticket purchased, every event attended, and every person who shows up is helping support something bigger than a party. They’re supporting a purpose.
That means the world to us because none of this happens without the community. Not just the drum and bass community, but everyone outside of it who has taken a chance on us and believed in what we’re building.
I’ve said it before: we’re the bones of this collective, but the people are the heartbeat. Without their support, participation, and belief in the mission, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their presence is what’s building momentum, keeping this movement moving, and helping bring more awareness to women in music.
For that, we’re incredibly grateful.
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