Music & Family

Hey guys!

I decided to interview my aunt Angie for this blog. She currently lives in Colombia and when I used to live in Colombia we were very close. Now that we are far away it has been a bit more difficult to maintain communication but we make it work. She usually comes to visit us in December or in the summer and that's how I get to see her again. 

Here is one my favorite photos with her

Now let's get to the interview 

Me: Hey Tía, how have you been?

Angie: Good, working a lot but everything is going well. 

Me: I am glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to help me with this, I really appreciate it. 

       Let's start with the interview, are you ready? 

Angie: Yess, let's start!

Me: First question. What is your name and where are you from? Tell me a little about yourself. 

Angie: My name is Angie Paola Sierra Avila and I am from Colombia. I live in Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia and I am a Journalist. I am currently working with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá and I am in charge of presenting different events that take place throughout the year. 

Me: What is your favorite genre of music and why?

Angie: I don't have a favorite genre of music but currently I really enjoy listening to reggaeton, Rock Indie , ballads, and traditional Colombian music. 

Me: Is it the same as a few years ago? What has changed?

Angie: No, as the years go by we acquire other musical tastes, and that is thanks to the experiences and things we live through in life. The musical tastes I have now have been developing and changing little by little over the years. In the same way that years pass, we change and our musical tastes change. When I was a child I had different musical tastes, what I listened to back then I still like but I don't listen to it as often anymore. 

Me: What kind of music did your parents listen to? Do you think that influenced your musical tastes? 

Angie: My mom listened to a lot of romantic ballads. For example artists like: Rocío Dúrcal, Ana Gabriel, Juan Gabriel, Marco Antonio Solís and many others. And my dad listened to salsa; artists like: Jerry Rivera, Héctor Lavoe, Celia Cruz and Willie Colón. It influenced a lot because it was the music I grew up with and now that I'm an adult it's the music I listen to and like. 

Me: What was your favorite genre of music during your teenage years? Was it very different from the genre of music listened to by today's youth? 

Angie: Rebelde was my favorite musical group. It was a Latin pop-rock group that was very famous during my teenage years. Yes, the musical genres were very different before because at that time reggaeton was just starting to develop; and reggaeton is the musical genre most listened by the young people today.  

Me: What do you think of the music listened to by today's youth? 

Angie: I feel that it is the music that represents the youth of today and what they think. Musical tastes are respectable because times change and music evolves in the same way. Music is a way of expression and it changes and evolves depending on the time in which you live. 

Me: What was an artist that you listened to a lot or that impacted your life? Why?

Angie: Shakira, because my brother liked and listened to Shakira a lot.  When I was born we went from using cassettes to CDs and the music industry was really different. My brother used to buy the CDs and I listened to what he listened to. That's why Shakira impacted so much my life, because I grew up listening to her music and now I know almost all her songs. Music is made differently now, now they release singles whereas before they had to release full CDs. Before producing music was very expensive and there were not so many means and tools to create music but now everything is much easier. 

Me: What is your favorite genre of music to dance to? 

Angie: Salsa and reggaeton. 

Me: What kind of music did you listen to at your house when you had family gatherings?

Angie: Vallenato and traditional Colombian Christmas music in the holidays. Artists like: Rodolfo Aicardi and Pastor Lopez. 

Me: What is music to you? How would you define the word music?

Angie: It is a cultural expression that represents a population or a community. For me it is the way I identify with a rhythm and the way I connect with my feelings. I think we connect with the music that represents what we are feeling at the moment. 

Me: Do you think music has had a big impact on your life and your family's life?

Angie: Yes, it has had a big impact on my life. In fact now I work in a place related to music. I value it more now and it's a big part of my life. 

Me: What musical genres are famous or traditional in your country? 

Angie: Vallenato, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, cumbia and joropo.

Me: Do you identify yourself with the music they listen to in your country?

Angie: Yes, because they are Latin rhythms and it is what I grew up listening to and what has helped me form the person I am today. It is a happy music and represents the joy of the people of my country. 

Me: What is the genre of traditional Colombian music that you like the most?

Angie: El Vallenato 

Me: How would you define in one word the Colombian musical culture? 

Angie: Cheerful 

Me: What for you is a song that represents what Colombia is? 

Angie: La invitación by Jorge Celedón 

Here is the song and the video in case you are interested on watching it

Me: What does Colombia have to offer the world culturally and musically speaking?

Angie: Lots of rhythms, flavor, joy, enthusiasm. A great variety of colors and artists. Lots of talent and diversity. 

Me: Which Colombian artists from your perspective do you think represent the Colombian culture and musical legacy in a positive way? 

Angie: Shakira, Juanes, Karol g, Carlos Vives, Sebastian Yatra, Camilo Echeverry, Greeicy and Andrés Cepeda. 

Me: Finally...What would you say to people who don't know about Colombia's musical and cultural heritage to encourage them to take the opportunity to explore a little more about Colombia and its music? 

Angie: They should give themselves the opportunity, because in Colombia there is a great variety of genres and very talented artists. Although we do not have many record labels and many resources, there is no lack of talent. We have a lot to offer on a musical and cultural level.