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Posts Tagged ‘Lila Downs’

Lila Downs interview

Posted in Culture, Music, People, tagged , , , , , , , on February 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »

LA.com just posted a phone interview with Oaxaca’s own, Lila Downs,  where she discusses influences on her musical development, experiences working on the movie Frida, and future projects.  The following is the first of eleven questions asked by Paty Elias, in advance of Lila’s Los Angeles performance on Feb. 25, 2012 promoting her album, “Pecados y Milagros.”

From the interview…

LA.COM::  With such a diverse musical background, why did you decide to focus on Ranchera, style music?

Lila Downs:   I think that I have been very affected by what has been happening in Mexico. There has been a lot of violence, and I started composing a number of songs that were inspired by   retablo, the   votive art forms.

It’s about the notion of having a miracle in your life and giving thanks to the sometimes non-visible saints and elements of faith we have in Mexico. I thought it was very fascinating to somehow find the subjects in the songs and then kind of place them in the same way towards showing and giving thanks for the blessings that we have in our life but then also questioning the interpretation of each of these pieces, which are miracles and sins.

Ranchera is really a genre — it’s a form that is kind of about the profane.

There are Rancheras

Lila Downs (LilaDowns.com)

that are about the celebration of life as well as fertility and perhaps the more Indian elements in our culture.

But I would have to say that the Ranchera is mostly accompanied by tequila or mescal. And I think that’s when we will tell our sins, and that’s why I chose the Rancheras at this point — And of course because its one of the only forms were you can really spill your guts. And I think that’s what we are going through right now. We are in desperate times, and you need something with which you can really express your soul.

For the full interview and a couple of video clips, click HERE.

And for my description and photos from the Nov. 6, 2011 Lila Downs concert at Oaxaca’s Guelaguetza Auditorium, click HERE.

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The voice of Lila Downs

Posted in Culture, People, Politics, tagged , , , , , , on November 15, 2011| 2 Comments »

Mexico’s favourite singer-songwriter dishes on development, gender, indigenous issues, peace and music.  An interview with Lila Downs (in English) from the IFAD social reporting blog:

http://blip.tv/ifad/lila-downs-reverence-hope-change-5672813

By the way, Chris, over at Oaxaca-The Year After has posted more from the recent concert at the Guelaguetza Auditorium, covered in my Sublime sounds and spectacle post.

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Sublime sounds and spectacle

Posted in Culture, Music, People, tagged , , , , on November 6, 2011| 6 Comments »

What can I say about last night’s Lila Downs concert at the Guelaguetza Auditorium?  It was one of those clear, mild and star-filled Oaxaca evenings.  The glowing auditorium beckoned and encouraged us as we made the steep walk up the street and then stairs to the hillside site, that overlooks the city.

Guelaguetza auditorium glowing with red lights at night

In true, “hey, it’s Mexico” style, we were unsure of the time…  The posters, billboards, and concert’s Facebook page said, 8 PM.  However, our tickets (purchased from TicketMaster… ugh!) said 7 PM.  Needless to say, we were in line by 6:45.  Our, off to the side, front row seats left much to be desired, but once the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of Columbiana, Totó la Momposina and her way hot band began, it didn’t matter.

Totó la Momposina

Although, she initially confused Xalapa with Oaxaca (with the expected laughter and a few catcalls), Totó la Momposina won the crowd over and all were well warmed up for Oaxaca’s favorite daughter.  Lila opened with an offering of mezcal and track number one, “Mezcalito,” from her new CD, Pecados y Milagros (Sins and Miracles).

Lila Downs in white

Totó la Momposina joined her on stage, as on the CD, to sing “Zapata Se Queda,” a tribute to the spirit of Mexican revolutionary hero, Emiliano Zapata.  Other songs followed, a rebozo (shawl) was added, and the lighting changed…

Lila wearing a magenta rebozo with orange/red lighting

Lila then donned a beautiful serape from one of the master weavers of Teotitlán del Valle to sing, “Fallaste corazón.”

Lila Downs wearing a serape.

She dedicated, “Palomo’s Comalito,” to all the women who make tortillas in Mexico.  A knowing smile crossed our faces.  On Wednesday, we had been invited to the home of Emilia and Zacarias Ruiz in Teotitlán del Valle, where we honored the souls of their departed, by savoring Emilia’s delicate tamales and silky smooth and complex mole AND where we were informed by son, Antonio, that Emilia is featured in the music video for “El Palomo del Comalito.” (She’s the woman making tortillas.)

This was my first time seeing Lila Downs live.  I’d listened to last year’s free concert, at the Plaza de la Danza, from my terrace, but it doesn’t compare with seeing her in person…

Lila Downs kneeling, wearing traditional Tehuantepec headdress

I think this was the costume change for her beautiful and haunting rendition of “La Llorona.”  I can’t resist also showing the back of this traditional Isthmus of Tehuantepec headdress, known as a “bidaani quichi.”

Back of the headdress

A sublime and spectacular evening to close a sublime and magical week…  ¡Muchisimas gracias, Oaxaca!

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The Talented Women of Oaxaca

Posted in Culture, Parks & Plazas, People, tagged , , , , , , on January 30, 2011| 4 Comments »

A musician friend recently told of hearing a young Oaxaqueña singer with a breathtakingly beautiful voice. And, the current front page of the Oaxaca Times announces, Alejandra Robles: the new oaxacan voice. I don’t know if this is who he was referring to, but in the words of the article, “her powerful voice reflects her training in Opera but her style is traditional Mexican with a rhythmic flare.”

Alejandra Robles - photo from Oaxaca Times


Alejandra Robles is following in the immensely talented and extremely popular steps of Oaxaqueña vocalists, Lila Downs

Lila Downs - photo from Wikipedia

and Susana Harp, who have carved out successful careers celebrating their Oaxacan roots.

Susana Harp - photo from Wikipedia

I haven’t knowingly heard Alejandra Robles sing; I say “knowingly” because music is everywhere and often free… you just never know when and where you will round a corner to find it. This past November, from the comfort of my terrace, I had a ringside seat for a free Lila Downs concert a block away at the Plaza de la Danza. And, the previous May, I wandered down to the zócalo to hear Susana Harp performing (for free) with the Oaxaca State Band under the shade of the laurel trees.

And then there was this unknown singer…

Unknown singer at the Plaza de la Danza

In September, her beautiful clear and powerful voice drew me off the rooftop and over to the Plaza de la Danza where she and her talented band were performing to an audience of less than 100 people… part of events celebrating the Bicentennial. Regretfully, I was too shy to try out my limited Spanish and ask, “¿Quién es?” I searched the local newspapers and cultural calendars, but never was able to figure out who she was. Anyone know?

Update:  She is Natalia Cruz, a proud Zapoteca from Ixtaltepec in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.  Muchisimas gracias to one of my readers!

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