Julieta Venegas: Music, Memoir & Memory Converge

Julieta Venegas recently discussed how memory, migration, and creative instinct shaped her latest album and memoir, both titled Norteña. During a Q&A on Thursday, July 30, the Mexican singer-songwriter shared insights into her return to Mexico and exploration of her Baja California roots.

The creative process for Norteña began while Venegas was in Buenos Aires, a period marked by homesickness. Research into Baja California's history and a memoir project with her family converged into ideas for both the album and book. This immersive experience ultimately drew her back to Mexico, serving as a personal and creative reckoning.

Venegas characterized the album as a tribute to "norteño-inspired music," reinterpreted through memory and a sense of place. She recalled her early musical development, from learning piano to joining the Tijuana scene and discovering songwriting before identifying as a singer. Authenticity, she noted, emerged more from instinct than strategy.

The artist also touched upon intergenerational collaborations, including her contribution to Tainy and Bad Bunny's "Lo Siento BB:/," which charted on the Billboard Hot 100. She emotionally discussed songs focusing on the U.S.-Mexico border and family separation, aiming to capture the human experience rather than mere statistics.