Maria Raquel

A typical weekend in the childhood of Maria Raquel would find her in the midst of a huge family party, perched between her uncles’ guitars and accordions belting vallenatos, cumbias, and salsa, the eight-year-old lead vocalist whose swing fired the engine that kept the adults’ feet and hips moving late into the balmy nights of Medellín, Colombia.

A versatile singer whose deep, dark velvet voice can bring the goosebumps to any ballad and can light the fire under an energetic pregón, Maria Raquel channels her upbringing in dance parties, displaying the killer instinct of a vocalist whose instrument speaks the language of percussion. Also citing her mother’s taste in music as a principal influence, and her voice evokes the nostalgia of bygone eras and sepia tones. Her upcoming release, “Mucha Mujer” presents a collection of songs united less by genre and more by the vintage treatment of each selection, with a large acoustic ensemble recorded live, her voice leading the listener seamlessly through the entire journey. In less than a decade in the big city, Maria Raquel has already become the lynchpin of New York’s Lain music scene, and her new release makes a bold statement of artistry and tradition.