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Biography
The majority of Lila Downs’ childhood was spent in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she learned to sing rancheras and other traditional Mexican music. Upon her parents’ separation, Downs was sent to live with family in California, U.S. and developed her love and passion for music, in particular classical and opera. When Downs was 16 her father died, and the singer returned to Tlaxiaco to be with her mother. In a crisis of identity and about what she was doing with her self, Downs dropped out of studying classical and opera, and became a Deadhead, following the Grateful Dead around the U.S. in a camper van.
Before long Downs was back on track and studying anthropology and voice at the University of Minnesota and Institute of Science and Arts of Oaxaca. Having met tenor saxophonist and jazz pianist Paul Cohen in her mother’s auto parts store, Cohen arranged for Downs to sing in the ensemble Yodoyuxi’s Cadets. In 1994 Downs released her debut cassette “Ofrenda”, followed in 1996 with the live cassette “Azuláo: En Vivo con Lida Downs”. In 1999 the singer signed with Narada Productions who issued Downs’ official debut “La Sandunga”. Sung in Spanish and mixtec, combining traditional Mexican music with the contemporary rhythms of jazz, blues and bolero, the album became a critical and commercial success.
The album “Tree of Life” followed in 2000, which furthered the singer’s international popularity in the U.S., Canada, and Switzerland among other places. The album’s lyrics are drawn from religious codices of the Mixteca and Zapotec people, and following the release, Downs embarked on a worldwide tour including parts of Latin America, Europe and the U.S. Lila Downs’ third full-length “Borders” arrived in 2001, documenting the often fatal struggle Mexicans have in trying to cross the border into the States. Followed by “Una Sangre (One Blood)” in 2004, the album highlights Downs’ songwriting development towards socially conscious messages.
In 2006 Lila Downs issued her fifth studio album “La Cantina”, which mixes traditional Mexican music with the influences of pop, rock, cumbia, and hip-hop. Spawning the single “La Cumbia del Mole”, which rose to prominence in Mexico, the U.S., Canada and the UK, the album cemented the singer’s international appeal. The compilation “The Very Best Of/El Alma de Lila Downs” was issued in 2008, followed by the full-length “Shake Away”, Downs’ debut release on Manhattan Records the same year.
Two years later the live CD “Lila Downs y La Misteriosa en Paris - Live a FIP” was released, making was for Downs’ seventh studio album “Pecados y milagros” in 2011. The album debuted at No. 52 on the Billboard 200, representing the singer’s highest charting album. “Pecados y milagros” subsequently won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album, and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. The full-length “Balas y Chocolate” followed in March 2015, led by the single “Patria Madrina”.
Live reviews
I saw Lila Downs live in New York last year. As a Mexican-American artist, she combines a lot of dress styles, music styles and languages aside from Spanish.
She uses old ones and new ones. One of her songs feature the Mayan language. Her music was uplifting and you could tell everyone in the crowd loved her too. She has a beautiful voice that sounds almost Shakira-like at times. She wore a traditional Mexican dress with flowing skirt that shook around as she rocked her hips. Her music is a revival to traditional Mexican music.
One song that stuck out for me was “Zapata se Queda” which had many Latin and French influences, had an indie pop nature and good bass and drums. While she sang “Zapata se Queda” she was dancing around to the flow of the words and illustrating a traditional dance that would have likely been employed by her people centuries ago.
It really made me feel as if I was one with the culture and I ended up doing some research when I got home. I guess if you know a little more about her and the cultures she sings about you’ll have a better experience than most. However, I really do recommend you attend one of her concerts regardless of that.
If I could describe a Lila Downs concert it would be; the funnest cultural lesson experience.
Lila Downs show at the Santa Barbara Bowl on the eve of Dia de Muertos was a beautiful and amazing experience. She sang a good chunk of her Al Chile album, some of her older songs, and a reworking of some classics. In addition to the amazing mix of music, part of her show included altars to the dead, and ballet folklorico. Her show was amazing; full of energy and dance. One of the best concert experiences I've had and Lila does an amazing job of displaying the different musical and dancing styles of Mexico.
Would recommend and I will attend another Lila concert.
Senorita_Grey
A once in a lifetime event. I have waited for years to see Lila Downs and she was spectacular. Perhaps the highlight of the night was a soulful version of "Pastures of Plenty" by Woody Guthrie. Ms. Downs gave much credit to individual players in her band. And what a band it is! This was a concert that was inspirational so much so that the evening could be called magical. Thank you and bless you Lila!!!
SteveBryanGoeller
Soy Mexicana, y su musica siempre me ha gustado por que me identifican de alguna manera con el choque Cultural que he tenido viviendo en este Pais. Extrano mi Pais Mexico y su música me alivia a recordad de donde vengo. Su show fue fabuloso, ella siempre tan humilde en su persona, que mejor lugar en Colorado para venir a cantarnos,!! Felicidades Lila es un fenomeno Cultural!!
magda.s.gonzales
was ok concert very short I am a huge fan of LILA downs and I love her music but she play the whole cd balas y chocolate I understand is the tour name was ok but we want hear the others old songs as well
the crew at the Copley Symphony Hall
was so rude old lady name LINDA was so annoying all concert long ill never back that place again
henry-galan
Lila is exceptional. She doesnt compromise, sings with her heart, brings into her music the richness of her muticultural exposures . She honors and brings pride to her people providing an identity to be proud of.
Her music is a protest to social injustices but she does it with the characteristic joy and colorful tones of her culture.
vilcha01
