A Maya descendant, specifically from the Kaqchikel group, and located in Guatemala, Curruchich not only defends the rights of her people, but as a contemporary intersectional activist, she also speaks out for the women of her country. An indigenous and feminist activist, then, who expresses herself through folk-pop music tinged with rock, but above all with commitment and intensity.
The lady was at the Balattou club last night. The same strong stage presence we noticed at the Mundial Montreal showcase last year is there, immanent and communicative. There’s something of Llasa de Sela in Sara, but more extravagant, affirmative. The melodies sound just right, authentic (and sometimes they are, drawn from local or more broadly Latin American folklore), but most of them came from the artist’s nimble pen. She is accompanied by a drum kit, a bass, and, most importantly, a marimba, which brings all the specific colour to this music. Curruchich sings and plays the guitar, but sometimes joins his colleague on the aforementioned marimba in invigorating four-hand bursts.
The voice, sometimes fragile but generally very accurate, has a slightly raspy quality steeped in nature and the local terroir. However, it is not without lyrical power, and when those moments arrive, the roundness is beautiful, balanced.
Here’s an artist who tickles both the emotions and the conscience in an original and personal way. Let’s hope she comes back often.
