Irene Diaz being thought of for a Grammy
My long-time buddy Irene Diaz is now into account for Grammy! She is one in all solely two different Chicanas from East LA to be thought of for a Grammy, the others being Quetzal founding member Martha Gonzalez, a which received the Grammy for the album ‘Imaginaries’ in 2013, and Marisol Hernandez of La Santa Cecelia, who was nominated as lead singer of LSC a number of instances and received in 2014. If Irene is nominated, she would be the first East La Chicana to be nom’ed as a solo artist.
Diaz is a part of a wealthy historical past. Chicana/o music began to make its mark in 1958 with Ritchie Valens (born Richard Valenzuela), who soared to stardom with iconic hits like “La Bamba” and “Donna” earlier than his life was lower brief in 1959. He was adopted in 1960 by Rosalie “Rosie” Méndez Hamlin, of Rosie and the Originals whose hit “Angel Child” received her and the band inducted into the Rock and Rock Corridor of Fame. (Rosie was born in Oregon and raised in Nationwide Metropolis –a Chicana however not from East LA).
Irene Diaz could be very positively East LA – she grew up within the coronary heart of Los Angeles—first in Highland Park, then Northeast LA—as the one lady amongst 4 siblings, navigating the pressures and prospects of a Chicana upbringing. Her father gigged in native Rock en Español bands whereas her mom labored, imbuing their modest two-bedroom residence with music, resilience, and hope. Diaz discovered piano as a toddler, then she switched to acoustic guitar and located a brand new sense of self in LA’s vibrant open mic and Chicano music scenes.
Diaz resisted business expectations about picture and style, holding tight to her given title and refusing to filter her songwriting type. As an alternative, her music displays lived expertise—a mix of soulful torch songs. love ballads, and evocative R&B, delivered with intimate vocals which have drawn reward from retailers like NPR, IndiePulseMusic, and Vents Journal. Her 2021 album “Lovers & Buddies,” executive-produced by Carla Morrison, showcases an unvarnished emotional honesty, typically exploring themes of longing, belonging, and the delicate dance between independence and intimacy.
Diaz’s retro soul sound is steeped in traditional influences but unmistakably fashionable, characterised by lush harmonies and the form of smoldering groove that invitations listeners to linger in life’s grey areas. Whether or not she’s performing in English or experimenting with Spanish, Diaz’s artistry is guided by a way of place—her Eastside roots, her Chicana id, and a refusal to compromise her imaginative and prescient.
I first met Diaz in a church basement live performance in Venice, California ten years in the past, pushed there by a music agent who mentioned ignore the venue, deal with the expertise. The “expertise” – Irene and her now spouse Carolyn Cardoza – blew me away. Her tune “Loopy Love”, which has streamed over 4 million downloads, stopped me in my tracks; I mentioned to myself, this lady goes locations. (see my 2019 and 2021 evaluations right here)
And she or he has. Up to now decade, she has launched standout love songs, R&B hits, and ballads like her most up-to-date Idiot” and “Something for You” and she or he has been inducted into the Recording Academy and toured with Carla Morrison.
If there are any Grammy voters studying this column, transfer her as much as a full nomination. You’ll not solely be recognizing an enormous expertise, but in addition serving to to make historical past.
Patrick O’Heffernan
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