Grammy award-winning Mexican artist Julieta Venegas just released an album and a memoir all about being a Norteña. “But it’s not 100% norteñisimo,” she told Latino USA—and neither is she. Like many growing up in the north of Mexico near the border with the U.S. she was heavily influenced by music and pop culture in English. She loved The Cure as much as she loved Juan Gabriel. 

Listen to Julieta Venegas talk about her iconic sound, Mexican dads, the unusual choice to pick up the accordion while writing angsty 90s songs, and how her roots are always at the border despite not living there.

Featured image courtesy of Julieta Venegas.

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