Ani Cordero, notable for her contributions to World Music, Latin Folk, and Indie Rock, launches her most pointed and urgent work to date, Querido Mundo, (Dear World), a record of all-original protest songs and love songs aimed at the global political crisis. The album is set for release on February 24, 2017. An album release concert on February 26 at Rockwood in New York City and tour follow.
Ani describes her process for this new album:
“I made this record as a reaction to recent political events. Music is my main form of activism and it’s my hope that these songs will encourage political participation and much needed conversations. I wrote these songs to work in a crowded situation, such as a protest or march, so I started with the rhythms first, and built the arrangements around the rhythmic movement. I chose to write in Spanish, my first language, because for me it is the language of intimacy and love, the most personal expression I have.”
Ani’s record is being released in a dangerous political climate. In the United States, the government has fallen to the control of men who encourage misogyny, white supremacy, and discrimination. This new leadership threatens to change the legal fabric of the country, and has no reservations about reducing the civil rights of its citizens. Both in the U.S. and abroad there seems to be a rising tide of nationalism and increasing violence against immigrant communities.
Ani Cordero’s new album comes on the heels of her last project, Recordar, which re-imagined many of the famous political protest and folk songs from Latin American History, building on her long-time collaboration with Sergio Dias from Brazil’s Os Mutantes. The critically-acclaimed album received accolades from NPR, Billboard, USA Today, PRI’s The World, Brooklyn Vegan, BUST, Remezcla, and more!
Ani Cordero will be touring in support of Querido Mundo beginning in February 2017. Her touring band features long-time collaborators Erich Hubner (Man or Astro-man?) and Eileen Willis (Pistolera) along with new touring member Scott Kettner (Nation Beat)
Ani was born to Puerto Rican parents from San Juan and the town of Camuy. She grew up in both the states and on the island, surrounded by music. In her teens in Atlanta, Georgia, Ani found a friend and mentor in Dr. Juan Allende, nephew of Chilean President, Salvador Allende, who was overthrown in a military coup d’état in 1973. She was inspired by the “Nueva Cancion” artists who were exiled or killed because of their music’s message of democracy and social justice, such as Victor Jara (1932-1973), and Violeta Parra (1917-1967). Ani has toured extensively and appeared on many stages as singer and drummer, from Radio City Music Hall to Montreal Jazz Festival, and in Europe.
Ani Cordero’s new CD Querido Mundo (Dear World) will be released on February 24, 2017