“No necesito ser perfecta
para sentirme extraordinaria.”
We first heard Pamela Rodriguez at an acoustic showcase at Sounds of Brazil in New York City. She performed as part of the annual Latin Alternative Music Conference. Her music is an enchanting blend of rock-tinged pop, much of it causing ear-to-ear smiles but with a perfect dose of occasional grey sky melodies. It can best be experienced by listening to her hit song “Ligera Love” followed by “Soy Liquida”, off her Latin-Grammy nominated album, Reconocer. She conquers the piano quite beautifully, as well, and as you’ll hear from the sampling below, she flows naturally from traditional music to more modern fusions.
Pamela Rodriguez was born in Perú and, through numerous travels and relocations, has grown up in a multitude of culture. A constant has been her life-long passion for music. She’s a student of ethnomusicology (University of North Texas) but even before that already had a passion for putting pen to paper to create poetry, followed by music compositions in her teens. She recorded her first album, Peru Blue, in 2005. The album showcases her country’s musical culture alongside her love of jazz and more popular genres. This began her career in the world of music and she quickly gained a loyal following. Her artistic endeavors also lead to her first award nomination as Best New Artist at the 2006 Latin Grammys.
In 2007 she released En La Orilla which became a top 10 seller in her hometown of Lima. In this album she delved deeper into her roots and created songs featuring criolla music, along with some other favored styles like cumbia, reggae and of course, a bit of jazz. Her song “Tiempo“, for example, features a sultry bass line surrounded by tropical percussion accents, which highlight Rodriguez’s intense vocal range. It’s a prime example of the never-ending layers of talent this artist possesses.
In 2011 Rodriguez released her third album, Reconocer, which she’s described as a sampling of the journey she’s had since her previous recordings, referring to it with terms like “freedom of soul, love, loss and motherhood.” The sampling of sounds takes her into new music dimensions. From the happy pop of “Ligera Love” mentioned above, to the ethereal feeling in “Lejos”, and her own version of indie rock, Rodriguez has once again proved her uniquely talented touch and versatility. Shortly after the release of Reconocer, Rodriguez was nominated for pop album of the year by the Independent Music Awards.
For The Ponderers, Pamela Rodriguez embodies the power of femininity. Her music embodies strength and vulnerability, defiance and tradition, peace and love. There’s a constant reminder of hope and of the appreciation for the freedom we have as women. She makes us feel strong and happy.
2014 promises more from this Peruvian chanteuse and we’re eager to hear what new dimensions Rodriguez has explored since our last encounter.