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Anita Tijoux“I got tired of the typical rapper image.”text Esther Mendoza
French-born Anita Tijoux is one of the most important voices in Chilean hip-hop. Launched over a decade ago, her musical career has enjoyed several highlights: being the vocalist for the group Makiza; contributing to the soundtrack of the children’s television series Pulentos (broadcast on Chile’s Canal 13); and collaborating with Mexico’s Julieta Venegas, with whom she maintains a close friendship. Tijoux is a versatile woman. She’s focused on raising her three-year-old son Luciano, managing her store El incredible bazar, putting out a tribute to Chilean folk singer Violeta Parra and promoting her album, which features the participation of Julieta Venegas. Tijoux also plans to release Kaos on the international market. Before putting out your album, you said that you were constantly searching for what you wanted musically. Have you found it? “Not quite. This album has its focus, but maybe my next one will be different. I like moving with my music. It’s part of my personality – I’m always searching.” » “No. People put together images of others. They expect you to respond to their needs. If I doubted myself, I’d become trapped by insecurity. I need to make these more pop-oriented songs, and if others don’t understand, it’s their problem. Otherwise, you end up doing what everyone else wants to hear.” Have you tried new things? “With my solo album, yes. To write more than songs. I got together with a poet friend, and we have done readings. I write on my blog – everything from everyday trivialities to things I question myself. I even wrote the script for my video Gol. My identity has taken off; I feel multifaceted. I no longer care about what others will say. If I fail, at least I tried.” Is your life chaotic? “The world is chaotic; my personal life isn’t. I’m fine. My home gives me a healthy sense of stability. Simple things like making breakfast or taking out the garbage are little details that give meaning to chaos. Your family, by necessity, orders your chaos.” How have you balanced your responsibilities as a mother and as an artist? “Music is a job like any other, the difference being that the hours are a lot more disorganized. Since Luciano was born, I have less time, but I’ve done more. Before, it was easier to be lazy about things. Actually, Luciano even helped out on the song ‘Las pestañas de Lu.’” One of the songs on your album appeared on the soundtrack to the HBO production Capadocia. How did this come about? “When I went to Mexico last year, I got together with a couple of friends. There was a woman who put together the music for TV series and movies like Babel and 21 Grams. We talked about pretty much everything but music. Later, she asked for my album, and then, she gave me a call. She told me about the show and said that she would like to use the song ‘Llévame muy lejos.’ She sent me the contract and that was that.” Tell us about the tribute album to Violeta Parra. How is that coming along? “It’s currently on hold. I did eight songs with Nico Foex and Pera Prezz that are pretty minimalist – just voice, drums and guitar. We included darker, denser songs. To me, Violeta is the reflection of Chile. Depressive, contradictory. Also, making the record made me realize how multifaceted she was.” Are you putting together material for a follow-up to Kaos?
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