Q&A: Chilean-French rap star Ana Tijoux makes Vancouver debut
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When: May 2, 8 p.m.
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Chilean-French hip-hop artist Ana Tijoux is one of the leading lights of Latin American rap music.
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Over the course of five award-winning hit albums, she has delivered political rallying cries around issues ranging from women's rights to the challenges of the globally dispossessed and migrant experience.
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Billboard.com listed her in the third spot on its Most Essential Spanish-Language Rappers of Yesterday and Today, noting her velvety flow and the fact that 'she broke barriers as a female rapper in a predominantly male-dominated genre, back when a female presence was rarer.
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'The ferocious-yet-mellifluous flow of the French-Chilean poet carries an unapologetic spirit that has been nothing short of empowering, resonating with audiences worldwide.'
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On her fifth album, 2024's Vida, the Latin Grammy-winning artist dropped her first new collection in nearly a decade. Reviews across the music media praised the album for both its ferocity, as well as its optimism.
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Tijoux discussed her art before her coming Chan Centre performance and her latest EP, Serpiente de Madera (Wood snake), which reunited her with longtime producer Hordatoj:
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A: It has been a long time between albums. But everything from Vida onward has been new material that I've been writing specifically for each release. I don't release older material.
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A: Totally. The snake is all about adapting and mutating into new skin and identity, reflecting what's going on around us. Wood is more about balance and calm, things like family and friends. Perhaps because of where I am in life, that is something I am thinking of and why I identified with the Chinese horoscope for the new EP.
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Along with his uncle Jay, James Paré is co-owner and operator of two other Whistler restaurants, Quattro and Caramba Beef tartare and bone marrow. Brent Harrewyn photo Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. With Lorette Brasserie, Whistler's restaurant scene is expanding with rich, hearty servings of Quebecois cuisine. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'Our impression was that there was nothing really like this in Whistler,' said Lorette co-owner James Paré. 'People will do French or whatever, but no one is really doing what we're doing. And I feel like the culture is growing. Customers are becoming more aware and more excited to try different things. We have some unique flavours and some items that people are excited to try, and maybe not just one night, but maybe a couple nights in a row.' Along with his uncle Jay, James is co-owner and operator of Lorette's parent company, Paré Restaurant Group, which includes two other Whistler restaurants, Quattro and Caramba. Caramba serves European-inspired comfort food, including steak, duck, and pasta, while Quattro is Italian. For their new restaurant, the Parés wanted to draw on their Quebecois heritage. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The recently opened Lorette Brasserie brings hearty, rich food in the Quebecois tradition to Whistler. Brent Harrewyn photo 'We knew cretons for sure would be on the menu, and that tourtière was going to be on the menu,' James said. Cretons, a pork paté with pear served on toast, was a favourite of his when he was a kid, Jay said. 'Tourtière was something we had usually at breakfast time and special occasions.' 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'We were down at a Seahawks game with Kevin [Winter, co-owner of Coast Mountain] last year,' James said. 'And he just said, 'Hey, I want to brew a beer for you guys.' When we tasted it for the first time, we were stunned.' Family photos, including one of Jay's mother who was Canada's first certified female ski instructor, add to the chic rustic charm of the restaurant's interior. She helped inspire the brasserie's name. 'My late mom's name was Lorene, and Jay's mom's middle name was Loretta. We were sitting at the bar one day and Jay said, 'What about Lorette?' And I was like, 'Oh my God, I love it. So we stuck with that from that point forward.' Another notable Paré is Jessica, who is perhaps best known for her role in Mad Men as the character Don Draper's French-Canadian wife Megan, the actor is one of the many cousins that show up for the annual 200-strong Paré Labour Day family reunion in Quebec. 'She needs to endorse us,' said James. 'We need to get her here.' Read More
