The experimental bass artist released a track highlighting awareness during Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week, observed from December 1–7.
Blending the vibrant energy of Spanish influences with the cutting-edge sounds of the UK, Alicia Muñiz, better known as Glitchgirl, is making waves as a multi-genre electronic music producer and DJ. Based in the lively music scene of Liverpool, she seamlessly merges her cultural roots with innovative sound design, creating tracks that resonate across genres.
Glitchgirl’s dynamic style showcases her versatility, spanning from bass-heavy anthems to melodic, experimental beats. Her performances highlight a fervent commitment to breaking new ground, enthralling audiences with a distinctive blend of global and contemporary electronic music.
For her latest release, the multi-disciplinary artist has teamed up with independent platform 1 More Thing to release ‘IBS (I Be Sh!tting),’ a cheeky, bass-heavy drum & bass track designed to spark laughter, awareness, and action. Released during Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week (1–7 December), the track humorously incorporates toilet sounds and flatulent beats, blending playful energy with a serious message.
With its humor, bold advocacy, and undeniable groove, and as an artist living with severe Crohn’s disease, Glitchgirl aims to normalize conversations about bowel conditions and push for better support and accommodations for performers and ravers alike. Half of the track’s proceeds will benefit Bowel Research UK, furthering vital studies into bowel diseases. The release highlights the silent struggles of over 300,000 people in the UK living with inflammatory bowel disease, an issue amplified for touring artists. Alongside the track, 1 More Thing will publish editorial insights from artists facing similar challenges, championing a movement for empathy and better industry policies.
Following her latest release, which brilliantly combines music and advocacy, we caught up with Glitchgirl to dive deeper into the single, the inspiration driving it, and how she masterfully incorporates humorous and unconventional sounds into a bass-heavy drum & bass track.
TFword: Before diving deep into your music, we’d love to know—how and when did the Glitchgirl journey begin?
Glitchgirl: It started in 2014 (oh god, 10 years ago!) as a quirky live set after I bought a launchpad for my newly cracked Ableton Live on my crappy laptop. I had been making music since I was 15, using software like MAGIX Music Maker and, later, Ableton Live. I sold that launchpad a year later to buy exotic herbs and played live sets with my mouse for years after that.
Before this, I had only performed joke DJ sets, where I just pressed play. I had done concerts before, but those were classical music performances—I have a background in clarinet. The turning point came in 2015 when I participated in a music contest at a DIY venue called Liceo Mutante in Pontevedra, an amazing space for weird music. To join, I needed a full LP, so I recorded one just days before the show in a rented studio that was flooding at the time.
From there, Glitchgirl was born. I performed all over Europe, did FlixBus tours, and booked gigs without agents or managers. I eventually moved to the UK, initially stranded there due to coronavirus, and stayed on and off, with brief stints in Hamburg. Over time, I also learned to DJ—albeit poorly—and now do both live sets and DJ sets.
Having been born in Spain and later moving to the UK, what differences stand out for you in terms of the music culture?
Glitchgirl: In Spain’s underground scene, we prioritise keeping our spaces safe. If someone exhibits harmful behaviours (abusers, predators, racists, homophobes, transphobes, misogynists, ableists, etc.), they’re not allowed into our shows. We cancel the gigs of people who’ve done bad things because we don’t want to subject our audience to negativity, and there’s no room for debate about it. Community justice keeps our spaces safe.
DIY spaces are also everywhere in Spain, constantly popping up despite a police state that tries to shut them down. In the UK, however, maintaining such spaces is difficult and expensive, leading to a more corporate music culture. In Spain, the music scene feels like a weird family (albeit with internal drama), while in the UK, there’s more competition, capitalisation of art, and artists chasing fame or profit who often leave after a few years. Spanish underground scenes, by contrast, are driven more by passion.
Moving on to your latest single, what inspired you to create a track like IBS (I Be Sh!tting), blending humor with a serious message?
Glitchgirl: That’s just how art works! Sometimes you wake up and think, “I’m going to make a fart song,” and then find a reason to do it. For me, it was about visibility and having fun.
How did the partnership with 1 More Thing come about, and what has the experience been like?
Glitchgirl: I love 1 More Thing. They’re real people with genuine passion for art, and their fast, creative minds resonate with mine. They do it for the love of it, and I’m all about that—even if Glitchgirl’s energy comes more from hate and pain.
I initially connected with Dave after watching Blondy’s set at a festival and bothering everyone to come watch with me. I noticed Dave’s support for Blondy and thought, “What a nice guy! Also, he’s wearing a yellow t-shirt—cool.” Later, he posted about being overwhelmed by random interview requests, and naturally, I messaged him for an interview without knowing him. That’s my style. Thankfully, we clicked, and everything went well!
How did you approach incorporating such humorous and unconventional sounds into a bass-heavy drum & bass track?
Glitchgirl: That’s just my style. I’ve made tracks with cartoonish ACME sounds that could qualify as “penis music.” I like blending stupid, funny elements with serious, well-crafted components. I’m the kind of person who spends hours perfecting a bassline, only to overlay it with a fart sound that ruins the original sample—and I love it.
What was the most challenging part of creating IBS (I Be Sh!tting) and how did you balance humor with advocacy?
Glitchgirl: The hardest part is reaching people’s hearts in a world saturated with commercialised, inauthentic art. Humour and relatability are key. For those without IBS, the track’s humour is entertaining. For those with IBS, it’s an empowering message about destigmatising illness and advocating for accommodations. I hope it encourages people to openly discuss their bodies and needs.
As a touring artist with Crohn’s disease, what are some challenges you’ve faced, and what changes would you like to see in the industry?
Glitchgirl: I always ask for accommodations like access to a nearby toilet. Camping is a nightmare with Crohn’s—cold nights and sudden urges don’t mix well. Sometimes I’ve had to leave shows or even borrow promoters’ house keys to find a bathroom. The unpredictability is anxiety-inducing, so I limit my sets to under 1 hour and 20 minutes. This weekend, I’m attempting a 2-hour set—wish me luck!
The industry needs to normalise accommodations for artists with chronic illnesses. Accessibility should never be an afterthought.
What do you hope to achieve through this release during Crohn’s & Colitis Awareness Week?
Glitchgirl: I want people to feel comfortable asking for accommodations without shame. Having a sensitive stomach often means having a fast, sensitive brain, which can enhance creativity. I encourage anyone with inflammatory autoimmune conditions to explore their creative potential—whether it’s music, writing, cooking, or anything else. Creativity and connection are powerful tools for growth and self-expression.
What message would you like to share with your listeners and the broader community about supporting those with bowel diseases?
Glitchgirl: Raise awareness! We exist, and we’re doing our best. Your support makes a difference.
What’s next for you after this release? Any exciting projects in the works?
Glitchgirl: I’m planning a U.S. tour next year and hope to perform in more countries. I aim to release one or two albums—one with 1 More Thing—and maybe collaborate with some legendary UK rave labels. I also want to finish collaborations with amazing artists and organise a cool Spanish tour. Visiting my old schools, where teachers doubted me, and proving them wrong would be the cherry on top. I’ll continue doing “stupid shit” because it’s been amazing so far, and I’m not stopping anytime soon.
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