Juana Molina

Juana Molina is a singer/songwriter from Argentina whose quirky, atmospheric songs bring to mind other modern chanteuses Lisa Germano and Beth Orton. She is best known in South America as a comedic television actress. Molinas first album, Rara, appeared in 1996 and initially it seemed like just another celebrity vanity project. However, the album was simple, direct, and intimate: three things that usually fall outside the ego scope of most celeb music projects. Apparently, Molina was happy pursuing other interests and it wasnt until 2003 that she returned with a follow-up album, this time recording for the U.K.-based Domino label. Segundo had all of the intimacy of Molinas earlier work, but the prominence of electronics on the album clearly signaled a departure. A third album of electronica-enhanced songs, appropriately titled Tres Cosas, appeared quickly after, in 2004. After a long spell of touring the world and showing off her deft ability at backing her vocals with guitar and delay pedals (much like the style KT Tunstall made popular in 2006), Molina recorded her third excellent album for Domino. The much more organic and acoustic guitar-based Son was released in May 2006.