2024-10-03 22:10:47
Well, both Chileans – great artists of flow and denunciation – release the single “Dime Qué” and perform together at IBEROEXPERIA, a series of concerts that bring together in Madrid (Wednesday 9 October Room Mon) and Barcelona (Thursday 10 a.m Parallel Room62) the best of contemporary music from both sides of the Atlantic.
DANGER
Congratulations on that album, Vida. Great song after great song, honest lyrics, luxurious collaborations, brutal production.
Ana Tijoux
Thank you!
DANGER
You are a point of reference in the rap and hip hop community in Latin America. What did these two cultural elements represent for you as an artist and as a human being who had to be born outside his country due to harsh causes such as a military dictatorship?
Ana Tijoux
The hip hop community was my home, my musical education during school, my master’s degree, my doctorate. It was what taught me how to articulate words, thoughts and feelings. Rap was an instrument of freedom that allowed me to come out into the open, understand my processes, also understand emotions, be able to thread them, weave them together. My connection with the world, with France, with Chile.
DANGER
The single you released with Pablo Chill-E “Dime qué” is powerful. How was the contact with Pablo? It will also be present at IBEROEXPERIA, it will be pure fire.
Ana Tijoux
Pablo is a new generation artist, someone I have been watching and listening to for a long time now. It’s not a question of age, it’s not because I’m younger or older. It is rather a question of proposal, it is the connection, the energies, what you connect with and connect with. We have different languages, but there is a lot of affection between us. How we feel about each other’s art is what inspired us to collaborate on “Dime qué”.
DANGER
The artists’ message remains the same: injustice in the world.
Ana Tijoux
It is because justice, general emotional and social repair has not yet arrived. It will stay the same until things change for the better.
ATTENTION
There are famous musicians like Thom York, Iggy Pop and Ryuichi Sakamoto who have expressed how much they appreciate your work. Iggy Pop said “that girl really has balls” hahaha. How does all this make you feel?
Ana Tijoux
Grateful, it’s a gift. Those things need to be embraced, the good things that come without waiting. These results always shake you in some way, especially if they come from people you admire. I feel like you have to live up to it, obviously.
DANGER
The New York Times calls you “Latin America’s answer to Lauryn Hill.” You have a song with Talib Kweli. The welcome must be pleasant. Those headlines are misleading.
Ana Tijoux
What a responsibility, I don’t know how to take it! Lauryn is an artist, it makes me want to wow! I don’t know how to take it…
DANGER
What is the DNA of your new album?
Ana Tijoux
I would say that it is a hymn to life, a revenge for death, it is answering the question of how to be happy, it is giving a change to life.
DANGER
What plans do you have for your music?
Ana Tijoux
There’s a remix album coming, to then continue playing Vida Fuerte, and material for a new album I’m thinking about, but there’s a lot missing. It’s not the whole album remixed, I love remixes, I love seeing how other producers redefine your music, it’s a very personal approach they give, I love it. There are people who aren’t such a fan, but personally I love it.
DANGER
And what is the recipe for that exquisite dish that is your music? Your music is so yours, so identifying, so beautiful.
Ana Tijoux
Lots of chives and plain yogurt. And garlic and merkén. Merkén is a smoked spice used by the Mapuche; It stings a little, but slightly. I love chives and that’s because I was born here. Yogurt because I like it low-fat and garlic because it has seasoning; Leave it all behind, but I love it. It is a natural antivirus. This is the recipe for my music ahahahahaha. Spicy, fresh, seasoning (even though I left it all behind) and antivirus, all natural hahahaha.
DANGER
The song that opens your new album, “Millonaria” is a true manifestation of intentions. REAL?
Ana Tijoux
I like watching people, today everyone wants to show off, to exaggerate. Millionaire people have always moved me, but for very simple things, people who wake up in a good mood when everything is against them, people capable of getting up in the morning with a smile,
Look for… not “false positivism” which seems very toxic to me, but a drive for life, people who appreciate simple things: love, loyalty, affection, friendship, complicity. Love in all its forms. I wrote this topic because in this sector many focus on ostentation and I on the other. At least I feel like a millionaire. I have great friends, family that is there 7 days a week. Of course we have crises, disagreements. But there is an infallible complicity. It makes me feel like I have tons of love in my heart.
DANGER
Your song “Niñx” is a hymn to children, to respect, to inclusive language, to the LGTBIQ+ community. Bring my baby here, I lit the fire. I picked some fruit, just for you. A storm is coming to wipe out the man with his machine gun.
We love your album Vida, especially “Niñx” fascinated us. A captivating rhythm, courageous and tender lyrics.
Ana Tijoux
“Niñx” was born when, watching the news, everything was destroyed, terrible. We fall into a little tube of desolation, but as mothers it is up to us to push the energy elsewhere, even if everything is so bad. I wrote it to my daughter as “don’t lose hope” (and I indirectly wrote it to myself too). I called it “Children” because the inclusive language amplifies the concept and brings it closer to an entire community that has suffered so much historical, systematic, institutional and even family violence. This song aims to radiate some light and hope. And it’s for dancing… I needed to move my energy, so as not to fall into this desolation in which everyone is needed!
DANGER
Dance is healing, yes. Inclusive language radiates respect and tenderness.
Ana Tijoux
I needed to move that energy somewhere else, even dance the pain. We all have difficult things.
DANGER
Has the landscape changed for the LGTBQ community in Chile, Latin America? What elements are necessary so that we can enjoy respect not only on paper – the laws, the Constitution – but on a daily basis?
Ana Tijoux
In general terms there has been some progress, at least now we talk about the reality of different love, we no longer love in the dark. Unfortunately, this progress is insufficient in the face of so much violence that persists. Trans friends continue to be attacked, there is still a lot of violence. How is it possible that we live in a community where someone is judged for their color, their way of dressing, their tastes? In 2024 we still have this archaic conversation. The issue here is education, and while I see the debate is on the table, violence is extremely critical, intertwined. Why do we raise young people, even children, who are homophobic? This is a structural flaw. We have a very slow task, yes, but also a very beautiful one because it involves us all, it is also structural.
DANGER
And how can music contribute to the cause?
Ana Tijoux
Music and culture are companions. I would eliminate some of the romanticism that music will change us. We are all active actors in this social change: the teacher, the mother, the father, the friends, the community, all professions. It means positively exploiting the ability that human beings have to influence each other. In the collective task music is very important, but it is not the only connection. This fight should be a reflection of love in all its forms.
DANGER
So be it. Thank you.
Ana Tijoux
To you, see you at Iberoexperia.
DANGER
How can you say you are a lyricist! You just gave me the title, thanks ahahahahah.
Ana Tijoux
What will it be?
DANGER
Those carats of love you have in your heart. Let the gold shine in Madrid and Barcelona, Ana! Thank you so much for your art and your time. See you at IBEROEXPERIA
Ana Tijoux
See you at IBEROEXPERIA
A big kiss.
#Ana #Tijoux #IBEROEXPERIA #carats #love #heart #ACHTUNG