Francisca Valenzuela

Q:  Who are you?
A: a curious human who makes stuff, is bilingual and bicultural and has been lucky enough to work as a full-time professional creative + musician. I also am the founder and director of the LatinX feminist interdisciplinary festival and platform Ruidosa | @ruidosafest .

Q: Tell us about your playlist.
A: it is an eclectic megamix of songs that i love and give me all sorts of feels upbeat slow sexy political Spanish English unplugged and super produced.

Q: What are you working on right now?
A: I have been lucky enough to have been able to stay home and stay safe healthy. That being said, i’m currently promoting the release of recent album LA FORTALEZA and all that that implies (creating content, adapting to the new 100% digital live format, etc) and it has been great tho of course a bit dissonant considering what is happening; on some days composing + writing new music, making music with/for others.

Q: What are you working on next?
A: i just released a new video + song called VEN A BUSCARLO.  I’m putting together some new content for this. I’m also working on another single + collab for a song of the new album. I’m also working on a podcast for RUIDOSA – Ruidosa Radio 🙂 first episodes are coming out in the next week or so.

Q: What is the best story from a set or performance?
A: There are many. As for BEST, i think so many beautiful, surprising and valuable things have happened or special situations – whether with people, my crew, locations, etc. I’ve performed with some amazing artists -some of my idols even!!!- and some amazing places <3 I have also had super challenging, scary or weird shit happen, too. From earthquakes and threats, to bottles thrown at me, to fainting and panic attacks. Also have peed in bottles, highways and asked for bathrooms in cities all around while on tour and neighbors have been generous enough to even open their homes to us. A glamorous life indeed which im sure any performer can tell you about! Another memory that comes to mind was when I busted a vocal chord on tour in Colombia, was told I could not perform that night, and, in front of a beautiful and full theatre full of people (first show there ever!!!), grabbed the mic, sat down on the floor of the stage, and told everybody what had happened, in the middle of tears, apologizing, explaining why we had to cancel the show and I couldn’t perform. It was quite devastating cos i was by myself and it was a solo show with piano. but fortunately the promotors and audience were so kind and helped me through it.

Q: What is the best sound?
A: To me, the laughter of my loved ones. Friends and fam. Also as cliche as it sounds I love the when the leaves of trees wrestle in the breeze. Ive come to really love that in California.

Q: What is your favorite part of your creative process?
A: The a-ha moment when somehow, at some point, something comes -or starts to- come together and become something.

Q: What is your favorite color?
A: Magenta, bright blue, red.

Q: What artist do you admire the most?
A: So so many. But – Violeta Parra, Prince, Lee Krasner, Keith Haring, Cecilia Vicuña. 

Q: If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
A: Some cheesy colorful fuschia 80’s neon-sign-martini-look a like with a cherry, being held by a fabulous hand with long, red nails.

Q: What is the greatest feeling in the world?
A: Gratitude. Pleasure (from whatever experience/moment). To feel like you are free and fearless and somehow that you can somehow know and listen to yourself and make sense of yourself or the world.

Q: What was the last thing that made you laugh really hard?
A: This morning while my man and I looked at memes and made breakfast. Last night on WhatsApp on a group call with my friends who are in Mexico City.

Q: What is the last text message in your phone?
A: Heart emojis from my friend Natti.

Q: What was the last song you listened to on repeat?
A: “Pasajera En Trance” – Charly Garcia & Inercia – Mkrni. 

Q: If you could supervise music for a TV show or a movie, what would it be?
A: The show ANA by Ana de la Reguera, El Marginal, Euphoria & Insecure.