Hey everyone,
Music has this incredible way of marking moments in our lives, doesn’t it? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the songs that didn’t just inspire my music—they literally rewired my creative DNA. Today, I want to share five tracks that transformed me as an artist and human being.
1. “Fingertips” by Stevie Wonder
This was my teenage awakening. Picture this: a 16-year-old me, thinking I knew everything about music, when suddenly this raw, live energy comes through my dad’s old speakers. Stevie’s harmonica wasn’t just an instrument—it was pure emotion bleeding through metal and breath. That moment taught me that technique means nothing without soul.
2. “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday
If Stevie showed me soul, Billie taught me courage. The way she could make silence speak louder than words… that’s the power I chase in every song I write. Her phrasing taught me that storytelling isn’t about perfect pitch—it’s about perfect truth.
3. “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash
Sometimes the most profound truths come in the simplest packages. Cash’s ability to convey entire lifetimes in three-minute songs showed me that Americana isn’t just a genre—it’s a responsibility to tell honest stories about real people.
4. “La Llorona” by Chavela Vargas
This song broke down every wall I’d built around what “folk music” could be. Chavela’s voice carried centuries of pain and beauty, proving that authenticity transcends language, borders, and expectations. It’s why I wrote “En Mis Sueños”—some emotions only exist in certain languages.
5. “The Love I Feel For You” (My Own)
Okay, this might seem self-indulgent, but hear me out. This song represents the moment I stopped trying to sound like everyone else and started sounding like me. It’s when I realized that my voice—imperfect, weathered, honest—was exactly what my stories needed.
What songs changed your life? Drop them in the comments—I read every single one and they often inspire my next compositions.
Currently listening to: That stack of vinyl my dad left me, finding new stories in familiar grooves.