Juana Molina

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Juana Molina
File:Juana Molina 2009.jpg
Juana Molina in Buenos Aires, 2009
Background information
Birth name Juana Rosario Molina
Born (1961-10-01) October 1, 1961 (age 62)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Genres Folktronica, ambient, experimental, neofolk, indietronica, psychedelic, indie pop, progressive folk
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actress
Years active 1967–present
Labels Domino Records, Crammed Discs
Website www.juanamolina.com

Juana Rosario Molina (pronounced: ['xwana mo'lina]; born October 1, 1961) is an Argentine singer-songwriter and actress. She is known for her distinctive sound, which is generally considered folktronica, but has also been described as ambient,[1] experimental,[2] neofolk,[3] indietronica,[4] psychedelic,[5] indie pop,[6] and progressive folk.[7]

The daughter of tango singer Horacio Molina and actress Chunchuna Villafañe, she achieved fame as a sketch comedy actress in the 1990s, first as a guest in various shows and in 1991 with her own show, Juana y sus hermanas. At the height of her popularity, she quit her job as an actress to pursue a career in music. Her debut album, Rara, was subsequently released in 1996, and panned by local critics who resented her departure from television. Dejected from the criticisms, she moved to Los Angeles, where her music had been better received, and she familiarized herself with electronic instruments. She then returned to Buenos Aires to produce her second album, Segundo, incorporating the sonic elements she had learned. Each one of her following albums have added a new complexity to her music, which is characterized by layered loops of acoustic and electronic sounds.

Despite the initial negative reaction to her music in her home country, music critics have consistently championed Molina's body of work, praising her music and experimentation. In 2013 El País wrote, "she established herself as the star of the avant-garde sound of her country in the world."[8]

Life and career

1961–87: Early life and career beginnings

Juana Molina was born to a family of artists in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 1, 1961.[9] She is the eldest daughter of Horacio Molina, a popular tango singer, and Chunchuna Villafañe, a celebrated actress and model. She has a younger sister who also worked as an actress and musician. The family lived in the centric Buenos Aires of Caballito.[9] Her mother was a record collector, exposing her to various types of music.[10] She began to learn to play at age 5.[11] In 1967, Juana recorded her first song with his father, "Te regalo esta canción" ("I gift you this song"), as a gift to her mother for Mother's Day.[12] Horacio Molina released the song as a single —without her young daughter knowing—, which sold 45 thousand copies.[9] She also performed the song live with her father on national television.[13]

In 1976, the family left for Paris, France, due to the military dictatorship that overthrew president Isabel Martínez de Perón.[14] While in Paris, she listened to what is now known as "world music" on French radio stations.[15] In various interviews, Molina has recalled a visit to a Spanish hippie family friend who introduced her to Indian classical music, whose drones have had an enduring influence on her music.[9][12][16]

In 1981, Molina returned to Buenos Aires. To finance her architecture studies, she had various small jobs, including an unsuccessful experience as a backing vocalist in small bands.[9][11]

1988–94: Television success

As she could not make a living through music, Molina decided to find a job that paid well and did not consume much time.[14] She strategically decided on a career in television as the best means to her end, and studied the TV lineup for some months looking for a show that could use her services.[15] She recorded a homemade audition tape for the studio and was offered a contract the same day.[15] Molina began her television career in 1988 with the ATC show La noticia rebelde ("Rebel News", a word playon La novicia rebelde), where she would record one day a week, and get paid for five.[14] Her popular sketches parodied porteño women of various social classes.[9]

In October of the same year, Molina joined the cast of El mundo de Antonio Gasalla ("Antonio Gasalla's World"), led by comedy actor Antonio Gasalla.[17][18] The show, which ran until 1990, further cemented her popularity as a sketch comedy actress and writer. The show was also performed live at the Teatro Gran Rex and in Mar del Plata.

The pinnacle of her success came with her own show, Juana y sus hermanas ("Juana and Her Sisters", a wordplay on Hannah and Her Sisters), which premiered in 1991. Molina arguably became Argentina's most popular comedian,[19] having her show syndicated to other Latin American countries.[15] Molina was dubbed "the new Niní Marshall," and won two Martín Fierro Awards.[20] A compilation album of songs by Molina featured in the show was released.[17]

In 1993 Molina became pregnant with her only child, Francisca, and had to suspend her show.[20] Reflecting on her rapid rise to stardom and distance from the music career she had always wanted, the actress decided to cancel the show in 1994.[15] She recalls: "There was a moment when I imagined myself watching MTV as a decrepit old woman (like MTV would last a lifetime), thinking 'I could have done that.' I pictured myself feeling an infinite grudge, hatred, envy."[21]

1995–2001: Rara and Segundo

Produced by Gustavo Santaolalla and recorded in 1995, Molina's debut album, Rara, was released in May 1996.

2002-2007: Tres Cosas and Son

2008-present: Wed 21 and upcoming studio album

Discography

Albums

Compilations
  • Juana y sus hermanas (1991)
Other
  • A○○B (with Alejandro Franov) (2002)

Singles

  • "Te regalo esta canción" / "Eso eres mamá" (with Horacio Molina) (1967)
  • "Sálvese quien pueda" (2005)
  • "Un día (Reboot Remix)" (2010)
  • "Eras" (2013)

Appearances in other media

In 2004, Molina voiced the character Elastigirl for the Argentine dub of the film The Incredibles.

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Juana_Molina&oldid=1339598"