singer-songwriter
Cantautora mexicano-estadounidense
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Ana Lila Downs Sánchez es una cantante y compositora mexicana, actriz y antropóloga. Interpreta sus propias composiciones y las obras de otros en múltiples géneros, además de incursionar en la música tradicional y popular mexicana. También incorpora influencias indígenas mexicanas y ha grabado canciones en muchos idiomas indígenas como mixteco, zapoteco, maya, náhuatl y purépecha. Nacida y criada en Oaxaca, estudió principalmente en el Institute of Arts by Oaxaca y asistió brevemente a la Universidad de Minnesota, antes de retirarse para enfocarse en su carrera musical. Pronto comenzó a presentarse en la escena de música tradicional de la ciudad de Oaxaca.
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“The border still doesn't make much sense in my mind. It's a place that has so many things going on, a lot of sad stories, a lot of positive ones, a lot of people who are looking to break the rules and I identify a lot with that. I like to break the rules.”
“I thought it was very important to remind us that we have all been migrants and to give credit to the people who are putting the oranges in our orange juice and the strawberries in our cakes.”
“I think that I have influenced several generations of performers in Mexico. I’m proud of that because it isn’t easy in these scenes. But then it is easy because it’s what you love to do, and it’s your passion. Even in your down times, you are always accompanied by your music.”
“When I was in college, I wanted to know more about my Native American past because I come from one of the 64 Native groups that are very much alive [in Mexico]. But there was nothing like that. So I ended up designing my own major that included women’s studies, philosophy, and anthropology.”
“I also come from a matriarchal family. My grandmother was left alone, not by choice. And then my mother as well. We lost my father when I was 16; he died. I was an adolescent figuring out that you’re not really worth much when cardi b’re all women'”
“I feel a spiritual sense, and that sense is a connection between generations. Some of the lyrics are about connecting intuitively with Mother Earth, sometimes with our evil nature, sometimes with our goodness. I love to connect with my ancestors. Also, I need to express these concerns that are a part of my generation.”
Quotes via Wikiquote (CC BY-SA), each with its original source.
