Every week, La Alternativa delivers the very best from the Latin alternative scene by curating a blend of emerging and established artists within the Latin diaspora, while providing a platform to champion our growing local music scene. Listen on demand here and on 88Nine from 10-11 p.m. every Wednesday.
I was born and raised for the first three or four years of my life in Hidalgo, Mexico. My parents actually left for the United States ahead of me and worked in New Orleans, helping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina before I joined them.
Growing up in a neighborhood full of color and culture, I felt so comfortable with my identity. All I ever knew was speaking Spanish, including at the immersion / international schools where the majority (if not all) of people spoke strictly Spanish. Then, 2015 brought a life-changing moment for my family.
My dad received a huge job opportunity for a project in Wisconsin that would take a few years, and my parents decided it would be best to move. I left behind childhood friends and neighbors — an entire life.
When we got to Milwaukee, we stayed in a hotel for a bit until we were able to fully settle in and found a home in Oak Creek. This became a whole new experience for me. When we moved from New Orleans, I had just started middle school and — as everyone knows — these years can be so dreadful. I immediately felt left out and that there was no one like me. It was also a battle with my parents, as I wanted more independence and to not follow their more traditional way of living.
Throughout my life in Wisconsin, it felt like I was playing a role while evolving as a person. This was where I discovered my love for music and film, both of which helped me develop a whole new personality based on the media I consumed. It really hit me when the topic of college came up during my junior and senior year of high school. I thought it was so stupid of me to even attempt applying, knowing I had almost no chance of getting into many universities due to my status.
The playlist for this episode contains elements of all those life events and parts of my identity:
- There’s “En Algun Lugar” by Duncan Dhu, who talks about moving around while seeming to reflect on this country and its standard form of living.
- There’s Ana Tijoux’s original version of “La Rosa de los Vientos” with Makiza, which deals with the incredibly hard experience of being an immigrant.
- There’s “Azul” from Natalia Lafourcade, who covers the disconnect that can happen between the kids and the parents finding their own best ways to adapt to this new life.
- There’s “Dear America” by Jose Antonio Vargas, who sings, “I swallowed American culture before I learned how to chew it.”
Now, here I am, a summer intern at Radio Milwaukee with two degrees and soon to graduate with my third from UW-Milwaukee. Ambar Lucid’s “A Letter to My Younger Self” feels like the perfect reflection on my life so far — at least right at this moment.
“I don't want you to cry anymore,” she sings, “The universe is gonna give you many flowers.” The song gives out such a strong message that everything will be alright and all your dreams will come true with time.
My journey in the United States has not been easy, but it’s really all about resilience. I hope you hear that in this episode.
Episode playlist
- Ambar Lucid, “A Letter to my younger self”
- The Animeros, “Mamba Mambo (45 Mix)”
- Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers, “Cumbia Fantasia”
- Ana Tijoux, “Las Rosa De Los Vientos (Live)”
- Maye, “La Maquina”
- Rosa Pistola, “Flauta Nahua”
- Villano Antillano, “Cascara de Coco”
- Hermanos Gutierrez, “Canto Andino”
- Natalia Lafourcade & Rodrigo Amarante, “Azul”
- Hymbe, “CARRUSEL”
- J NOA & LOWLIGHT, “Traficando Rap”
- Ronda Machetera, “Cumbia De Sal”
- Duncan Dhu, “En Algun Lugar”