wx2026-0430 POSTSHOW Julieta-Venegas-songs-ENGLISH.mxf-audio

In this episode of Democracy Now!, host Amy Goodman interviews Grammy-winning Mexican artist Julieta Venegas about her new album and memoir, both titled Nortenia, released in May 2026. Venegas reflects on her upbringing in Tijuana, a border city that shaped her identity as a 'Norteña'—someone from the north of Mexico—while exploring the cultural and emotional roots of her music. She discusses her latest single, 'La Lina,' a poignant song about family separation due to U.S. immigration policies, particularly under President Trump, using the metaphor of the Tijuana-Sanisidro border crossing. The track, featuring the U.S.-based Mexican music group Yaritza y su Esencia, blends emotional storytelling with a celebration of Mexican musical heritage. Venegas emphasizes the power of music as a form of emotional expression and resistance, even if not overtly political. She also shares how her work on the album and book became a personal journey of reconnecting with her roots and family, especially during her time living abroad in Argentina and Mexico City. The episode closes with a performance of her song 'Me Voy,' a reflection on self-love and personal growth. Key takeaways include: music as a deeply emotional and personal form of storytelling; the border city of Tijuana as a crucible of cultural identity; the human cost of immigration policies expressed through art; the importance of preserving cultural roots through music; and the role of artists in fostering empathy and emotional connection. Venegas’ work exemplifies how personal narratives can resonate on a global scale, especially when rooted in authenticity and shared human experience.