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Guest DJ: Carla Morrison Shares Her Favorites Of 2010

Carla Morrison at the NPR West offices in Los Angeles.
Mandalit Del Barco/NPR
Carla Morrison at the NPR West offices in Los Angeles.

What does tradition sound like in the hands of an artist who respects it but also wants to challenge it? It sounds like Mexican vocalist Carla Morrison. And, when we say tradition, we mean the tradition of artfully crafted pop music made for the head as well as the heart. The tradition of, say, Joni Mitchell.

Morrison's voice is airy, but her lyrics aren't. Her musical arrangements are clever, and she has all the ingredients to make an impression beyond those who've already discovered her on both sides of the border. And, we discovered, Morrison's thoughts are just as entertaining as her music.

In this week's show, we have a special interview with her, during which she talks about her new album, Mientras Tu Dormias (While You Were Sleeping). She also introduces us to some of her favorite new artists, most of whom we didn't know about. A new album, a captivating artist and new discoveries -- just another week here at Alt.Latino.

Copyright 2024 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Hear Carla Morrison's Picks

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From 'Mientras Tú Dormías'

By Carla Morrison

Coming At You From: Mexico
Sounds Like: A doo-wop-style angsty ballad.

Yo Sigo Aquí

Coming At You From: Mexico
Sounds Like: Emotionally stirring words and an angelically sweet vocal style.

Muñeca

From 'Musica Moderna'

By Paté de Fuá

Coming At You From: Mexico/Argentina
Sounds Like: Tango revived, with a passionate vocal style and classic themes of intense melodrama, mixed in with stories of everyday life.

Defensa

From 'Defensa'

By Torreblanca

Coming At You From: Mexico
Sounds Like: A pop soundtrack to an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

Un Año Quebrado

From 'Lejos. No Tan Lejos.'

By Hello Seahorse

Coming At You From: Mexico
Sounds Like: Frantic synthesizers and a lunatic voice give this a haunting horror/disco feel.

Luz De Piedra De Luna

From 'Mena'

By Javiera Mena

Coming At You From: Chile
Sounds Like: '80s retro pop, but don't let the bubblegum sound fool you: The girl is pouring her heart out.

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Jasmine Garsd
Jasmine Garsd is an Argentine-American journalist living in New York. She is currently NPR's Criminal Justice correspondent and the host of The Last Cup. She started her career as the co-host of Alt.Latino, an NPR show about Latin music. Throughout her reporting career she's focused extensively on women's issues and immigrant communities in America. She's currently writing a book of stories about women she's met throughout her travels.
Felix Contreras
Felix Contreras is co-creator and co-host of Alt.Latino, NPR's pioneering radio show and podcast celebrating Latin music and culture since 2010.