Ep. 2 | Juana Hermida connects commUNITY beyond borders

Like the directions of a map, the details of an atlas, the markers on a route, Juana Hermida is a community connector beyond borders. Traversing the world, enriching herself in wonder amidst endless exploration, Juana’s sonic landscape is vast and reflective of her journey to date.

Born in Quito, Ecuador with Colombian roots, living and working around the world from Bogota to Cali, an exchange in France to Toronto, Canada- where she resides today - Juana is ever-talented and limitless in her musical pursuits. As an artist liaison for Lula Music and Arts Centre, Lulaworld Records - both beloved siblings of Toronto’s iconic Lula Lounge - music programmer, festival coordinator, producer and an incredible selectress known as Juana Go-gó, her passion is resonant in every step she takes on the path she paves.

A woman with long brown hair, a marigold yellow dress sits on a sofa. The sofa has a yellow pillow, blue pillow. She is seated underneath a marigold yellow coloured art pice.

A woman with long brown hair in a marigold yellow dress sits on steps of a house.

A woman with long brown hair is standing in a garden, in front of a metal shed and wood fence. She is smiling and wearing a marigold yellow dress.

I am honoured to call Juana a friend and bring you this beautiful conversation we had about the music that has shaped her life and career - from the riffs that ran through childhood memories, spiritual experiences in Bahia, Brazil, key collaborations that bear great gifts, and the records that spin while finding a sense of place. In this episode, you’ll hear music by Julio Jaramillo, Mort Garson, Pernett, Ebame Elza de Oxum, and Aline Morales featuring OKAN and Anita Graciano.

A woman in a marigold yellow dress with long brown hair sit in a chair and smiles.

A woman with long brown hair, seated in a chair, wearing a marigold yellow dress. Her eyes are closed.

A woman with long brown hair, seated in a chair, wearing a marigold yellow dress. Her eyes are looking slightly away from the camera lens.

Connect with Juana and tune into all of her fantastic initiatives on Instagram: @gogojuana. Learn more about the artists Juana works with, and engage with their spectrum of sounds at Lulaworld - be sure to visit them at Lula Lounge.

Juana’s big jam - MaNaNa is every Sunday at Drom Taberna - 458 Queen St West in Toronto - 11 pm to 2 am.

LISTEN:

TRACKLIST:
Julio Jaramillo - Rondando Tu Esquina
Mort Garson - Symphony for a Spider Plant
Pernett - Caribbean Raver (OPTIMO)
Ebame Elza de Oxum - Ofilá lá ê ô - Canto de Oxum
Aline Morales (feat. Okan and Anita Graciano) - Sororidade

Sharing the land:

Sound Travels is produced in Tkaronto (covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit) – it is an honour and privilege to create this work on the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many Indigenous communities from across Turtle Island.

Sonic Fold Respect Mandate:

Sonic Fold is founded on CommUNITY, all caps on UNITY – we do not tolerate any form of racism, hate, bigotry, sexism and violence. Every conversation is a conversACTION. It is an honour and a privilege to do this work – and a continuous opportunity to learn and grow. Thank you for sharing this with me, and those who listen.

Tune In to Sound Travels:

Every Fourth Wednesdays, 1 to 2 pm ET - LIVE on JOLT RADIO

Jolt Radio is an amazing community-driven platform that supports local, national, and international independent artists, producers, radio hosts and DJs. They are broadcast from their Allapattah, Miami, FL studio and listened to worldwide. Much gratitude to John Caignet for the trust and support! Bringing my two fave cities together for this initiative is a true blessing.  Support Jolt Radio HERE.

TEAM

Sound Travels is curated, hosted, produced by: Ola Mazzuca/ olasconola Sonic Fold
All photos by Ola Mazzuca for Sonic Fold