Songs That Reflect Our Reality
A Conversation with WAA 2016 Keynote Speaker: Marisol “La Marisoul” Hernández
Our membership is truly in for an exceptional treat, come August – in Los Angeles! This is Jack Forman, a New York-based Agent, and I had the rare privilege of speaking with this year’s conference Keynote speaker, Grammy Award winner, social activist, and La Santa Cecilia front-woman, Marisol “La Marisol” Hernández! In the following interview, Ms. Hernandez provides a heartfelt and exciting preview of what we will all experience at this year’s conference. Her insightful commentary on the current climate of music, immigration, the performing arts…and La Marisoul, reminds us why we all pursue “the dream” and perform what reflects our creative reality.
Jack Forman (for Western Arts Alliance): We are all excited about you being this year’s keynote speaker! Many of us are familiar with La Santa Cecilia, but do not know as much about you…Can you give me a bit of background on some of the things you stand for?
Marisol Hernández: I think that in the band, we’ve all been involved in some way or another with the social justice movement. When we started the band almost 10 years ago, what we really just wanted to do was make and play music that was all-inclusive. We didn’t really have a political agenda where we thought we are going to write songs about “this or that.” I think the “social justice” part came later. We really just wanted to write songs that talked about our story, where we came from, who we are and what we were going through. We did do a lot of things like fundraisers for a lot of our “dreamer friends” and we went out to protest and play at rallies. But it was not until we wrote the song “El Hielo,” that we were kind of put in this “you’re this social justice band;” and mostly the reason why we wrote it was because we were going through a lot and we wanted to share this feeling.
WAA: Can you elaborate a bit more on the song “El Hielo” and what it meant to you?
MH: We had just signed with Universal Latino and we were really excited about the future of the band…but at the same time we were dealing with a lot on immigration…because not everyone in the band was able to travel in those days. Our accordion player was a dreamer and since the band started, we knew we were going to have to face these kinds of challenges; but, with his courage and our desire to fulfill our dreams, we pushed through and we traveled around the country evading the boarder up the 10 and taking the longer routes to get to places like SXSW and all these places we were invited to play. When we were writing these songs for “Treinta Diez” it was important to talk about this experience. We felt how a paper can dictate your future and dreams. It was also something that was going on with a lot of our peers and friends so we wrote the song “El Hielo;” which was when La Santa Cecilia was seen as this “voice!” Which was also when we realized that as a band the power of songwriting and writing songs that talk about issues like immigration. We realized how important and impactful it is to be immigrants or even kids of immigrants. When you write a song that’s sharing these feelings and ideas that tries to humanize when immigrants and dreamers are faced with deportation. That’s when we became “that band.” But we’ve been trying to stay true to who we are as musicians and write songs that reflect our reality.
WAA: Speaking of immigration, especially as we approach the presidential election, how do you feel about the opinions on immigration reform being expressed by the candidates?
MH: I think we were all kind of rooting for Bernie Sanders, you know (laughs). But, I’m honestly not sure how I feel right now about what’s going to happen or who it’s going to be. But it is definitely concerning to see how things have panned out and which way we’re supposed to go. It’s kind of scary, but I can’t really say right now.
WAA: I have to ask, when you went to perform in front of Michelle Obama did that bring up a feeling like “I’m really being heard and our message is getting through?”
MH: When we played for her it was at the LULAC [League of United Latin American Citizens] convention, we were asked to sing the national anthem, which I was very happy and proud to sing with all my heart! We even gave it a kind of “Ranchera style.” We also played our version of Strawberry Fields, which we saw as a way to remind people of the beautiful work of migrant workers who tend to the REAL Strawberry Fields that our strawberries come from. It was an honor to play for Mrs. Obama and to get to meet her. Whenever we get the opportunity as a band to share our experience and talent to give a positive base of immigrants as the future of the United States, we always try to take advantage of it and give our best. I think for me as an artist, musician, and woman that’s the most important thing…how I am going to take where I come from and share it with the people.
WAA: Can you give us a bit of a preview as to what we will hear in your keynote speech?
MH: All I can do is share my story, where I come, my dreams, accomplishments as a woman and a musician; I learned music from the streets and I didn’t have any formal college or training. I didn’t graduate high school and I was very “free” in the way I was brought up. Mainly, that is what I would like to cover and share with everyone; here is someone like me who grew up on the streets of LA with dreams of playing music…and thankfully…thank G-d and every one of my bandmates and team…I get to fulfill my dreams and hopefully inspire someone else out there, who is a young or older person, who wants to live their life or become a professional musician. Art and music…that saved my life, man! It gave me my dream. That’s what I want to share. How I got into this beautiful world of fulfilling my dreams.
WAA: Well, you will certainly be speaking to a group that will be eager to hear your story; not just agents and presenters but also aspiring artists. Do you have any advice to impart on them?
MH: I think anyone that’s looking into starting to share their music or art should always keep their minds open…always! There is never a stage that is too small for any artist of any level. You never know what might happen if you are playing for 5 people, 30 people, or even thousands! There is always something to gain. Social media is a huge tool and its something that we feel is so important in connecting to fans and listeners that are barely now discovering us. We are able to connect with our audience and anyone trying to get ahead is able to do that too! You don’t need to be with a huge label. It’s a great time in music for people to share their work on these social platforms. You don’t need anyone to put you out there, you can put yourself out there.
WAA: Are you pretty familiar with our organization?
MH: No…sorry (laughs) I’m really not!
WAA: That’s ok…we will brainwash you soon enough! Some of the things we are focusing on this year include growing the presence of contemporary performances and the dynamics of Dance programming in the industry, but the biggest thing will be engaging Latino audiences. What advice do you have to presenters who are trying to get better in touch with their Latino demographic?
MH: It’s very important! I think a lot of people are noticing the power of Latino music and the consumers of it. There is a huge influence from the Latinos…we’re here and we’re not going anywhere! We love to love and “procreate” (laughs). A lot of us are very assimilated and listen to all kinds of music. I was born in the United States so I am very much American…as I am Mexican. I like to go to the movies, go to concerts, and museums…I really just think Latinos love to have fun like everybody else. If you can engage families, that is the best thing! Now that I am a mother, I love taking my child to those summer concert series that are free to the public and even cater to music for children from all around the world. I love that! I’m learning something myself and I’m always looking out for that. You can travel the world without even leaving your city…and mostly, it’s free! Not everyone can go to a club or a venue all the time.
WAA: Anything exciting that you are pursuing on your own time?
MH: I’ve been seriously considering starting my own line of shoes and accessories. I’ve got this thing about painting my shoes. I’ve got a baby now, I love kids fashion, and I’d really like to venture out into something like that. If you’ve seen me, you’ll know what I’m talking about. I paint all my shoes and people always ask me about it. It’s a change to be creative in more than music but also in a “fashion-sense.” All in my future plans as “La Marisoul.”
WAA: Are you planning to check out the conference for yourself a bit?
MH: Absolutely! Conferences are the best because you get to meet other people, share ideas, your music…share what’s up with La Santa Cecilia or me. I want to also give people from out of town tips on where to eat or great places to check out! (Laughs)
About the Interviewer
Jack Forman is the responsible Agent to the West Coast at BiCoastal Productions in New York City, by way of Milwaukee, WI. While completing his undergraduate degree at Columbia College Chicago, Jack held multiple positions with various New York-based record labels, held consecutive internships with the Windish Agency, and was immediately recruited to work with ICM Partners’ Urban Department, following graduation. Currently, Jack is thrilled to work closely with such artists as The Doo Wop Project, GENTRI, The Hit Men, O Sole Trio, and many more on the diverse BiCoastal Productions roster, while also serving on WAA’s Communications and 35-Below committees. He enjoys exploring NYC’s endless cultural diaspora, collecting timeless vinyl, and participating in numerous community initiatives. (jack@bicoastalproductions.com)