This October, the twin sisters Valentina and Juanita Áñez Rothmann, known as Las Áñez, arrive from Bogotá to present their expected debut in New York. With their unique style, which mixes Colombian folklore with rhythms of other latitudes, have conquered scenarios in Latin America and Europe thanks to their harmonious voices, percussion, piano and minimalist electronics. Now, the city that never sleeps can discover closely how its music combines intimacy, poetry and surprising energy.
After more than a decade of an independent career, four award -winning albums and collaborations with figures such as Andrea Echeverri and Marta Gómez, the Áñez have taken their music to cinematographic productions and series such as the liberation of Amazon and one hundred years of solitude in Netflix, adapting their style to transmit emotions and unique atmospheres. Each song is a fusion of tradition and contemporaneity, capable of connecting with diverse audiences, even those who do not speak Spanish.
For this debut in New York, the sisters prepare a repertoire that brings together the best of their trajectory: intimate acoustic moments with more powerful and cinematographic sound passages. You can see them on October 3 at 7:00 pm in Americas Society (680 Park Avenue, free admission), on October 4 at 7:00 pm on Terrace 7 (40-19 Gleane St, Elmhursst, $ 25) and on September 30 in Xanadu, Brooklyn, next to Chacha via Circuit. Each presentation promises to surprise attendees and show what a Colombian vocal duo can do on a stage.
To learn more about their history, their creative process and what New Yorkers can expect from these presentations, continues to read our exclusive interview with Áñez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7uaviiurae
What does it mean to present yourself for the first time in New York?
Juanita: It is not really the first time we played in the city, but it is our first big concert. It is an important achievement for us as independent artists, after 11 years leading our music to 10 different countries.
What do they expect from the New York public?
Valentina: Our music has many sounds and textures, acute, serious, movement … I think the public will connect even if it does not understand Spanish. And those who understand it can immerse themselves even more in the atmosphere of our songs.
How did they choose the repertoire for these concerts?
Juanita: We made a compilation of our four albums. The concert is bigger and more powerful than before, with intimate acoustic moments and others that are enhanced as if we were at a festival. We want the public to live a complete experience.
His music mixes Colombian folklore with rhythms of other latitudes. How do they achieve that balance?
Valentina: We do not focus on a single genre; We let ourselves be influenced by any sound, whether acoustic or electronic, current or traditional. Latin American folklore is in our blood, but we also incorporate ballad, pop and electronics.
What inspires your compositions?
Juanita: Before we were inspired by imagined concepts or stories, now we also include personal experiences. For example, Baby Guru talks about my nephew, Valentina’s son. Other songs follow more abstract concepts, such as one dedicated to tomato.
They have worked on Amazon and Netflix series. How was that experience?
Valentina: Our music has a film character that some directors noticed. We made covers for a Mexican series in Prime Video and Music for the Teaser of one hundred years of Soledad in Netflix, looking for a Colombian, mystical and cinematographic style, beyond the clichés.
Being twins, how does it influence your creative process?
Juanita: We understand each other very well. Let’s compose separately, but when we get together the songs they take shape quickly. Our project is very vocal, and we build live layers using our similar timbres and the pedal to accompany us. It is an organic process that we have cultivated since childhood.
What differences and similarities stand out when you get on stage?
Valentina: My voice is a bit larger and that of Juanita more acute. On the issues, mine are more literal and those of hers more open to interpretation. In practice, I have a baby and Juanita deals with more things, so we complement each other on and off the stage.
Do you think of a new album?
Juanita: Yes, it will have two sides: one more tropical and one more Andean, reflective and introspective. It will be a mixture of danceable sounds and others almost inspired by sacred music.
What do they want the public to take from these concerts?
Juanita: That are surprised with the combination of sounds and discover what a Colombian vocal duo can do. Surprise is part of our essence and our music.
