Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez
Hello Angelica…….welcome to the DeClunk universe.
Thank you for having me ❤
Please describe your surroundings so that we can all cosy in.
I’m in my apartment in California at the moment. From the window I can see trees moving in the breeze. The sun has just gone down.
The DeClunk intrepid researcher reckons your mum was a singer. Did your mum inspire you and when did you realise that this was the road you wanted to follow?
She was like a coach to me from a very young age. I started practicing traditional Mariachi music with her. I remember knowing I was going to be a singer when I was a child.
What was the first song that you wrote? What was it about?
The first song I remember writing was about missing California. It was after my family moved. So I was probably 13. Definitely was an emo kid.
From where do you take inspiration for writing your songs?
I try to build a lot of new experiences into my life. Something as simple as taking a different route home can lead to something worth writing about.
Much of my existing work has been centered around healing and detailing the nuances of first/ second gen Latino culture.
Our intrepid researcher also says that Barack Obama selected ‘Jicama’ for his end of year list 2019. You also featured in the game Forza Horizon. That must feel like a nice recognition of your talent. Is that how you felt?
I was pretty surprised by Obama. And I didn’t really realize how big Forza was until much later. I’m always grateful when people pay attention to my music. I’m grateful that both of those scenarios put my work in front of a much bigger audience.
We really enjoyed the video of “Juanita (Brooklyn Version)”. Who comes up with the idea for a video? One would guess that you have major input.
Thank you! The conversation for the video started from a conversation about placing my music in the real world. The themes of my upcoming record Gemelo are pretty conceptual. The imagery we were archiving was beginning to look especially spooky/ otherworldly.
Juanita (Brooklyn Version) happened because Tim from my label said that he thought me as a person was cool and he felt like he wasn’t getting to see that reflected in my work. That my personal style wasn’t showing clearly enough in the visuals.
I was living in Brooklyn at the time. I’m grateful that they came up with that core idea. It’s cool to have a piece that captures a snapshot of that chapter of my life as an artist. Since that was back when I was living in Brooklyn, I definitely picked the market, styled myself in my own clothes and spoke with Pepi Ginsberg (the director) a lot about my general vibe / what would be great to capture.
There is a tour coming up. What else is in store for 2024? A new album? A holiday in the sun?
Gemelo – my newest record will be out June 7th 2024. I also have a month touring in the UK/ EU starting in May and through June. Finally, I have several shows opening for IDLES. I’m excited and feel as though the whole year will be full of work.
Please tell us the last book that you read, the last music that you listened to and the last film that you watched. Were they good?
Journey to Ixtlan by Carlos Castaneda was my last book. It’s excellent.
La Problemista by Julio Torres was the last film I saw. It made me laugh a lot and at times it was pretty stressful. Very creative.
Last music I listened to was the new Camila Cabello and Playboi Carti song I LUV IT. It’s cute. I love a cute pop song with a dance beat.
If we were to come to your neck of the woods for a weekend where would you take us? You are the entertainments committee!
I would take you to get some amazing Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley. The beach definitely. Maybe get into some stuff in Downtown LA.
A couple of times in a summer my friend and I go fishing. It also involves staying out for a night and plenty of beer. A bankside disco tends to break out around 11pm. What would your playlist be for a drunken late night bankside disco?
Lay All Your Love On Me by Abba. Can’t Get You Outta My Head by Kylie Minogue. McArthur Park by Donna Summer. Maybe Disco by Sextile if you want to be more modern. Those are just some off the top of my head!
Have you any bands/ artists that you recommend we give a listen to?
Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Sampha, Saya Gray, Sextile, Big Fun, Girl Ultra.
Thank you, Angelica, for taking the time with DeClunk. We look forward to catching you at a gig sometime.
Thank you. See you soon.
DeClunk 