Janine Rivera has one of the Coachella Valley’s most beautiful voices—and is one of the valley’s most elegant performers. Rivera expresses intense emotion in all of her performances, whether it’s an emphatic rock show with Giselle Woo and the Night Owls, or she’s doing some lovely bolero and ranchera serenading in Las Tías, her duo with Woo. She’ll be performing on Sunday, Oct. 8, with Las Tías at the Joshua Tree Music Festival. For more information, visit joshuatreemusicfestival.com. For more on Las Tías, visit instagram.com/lastiasmusic.
What was the first concert you attended?
The first concert I ever attended was right in my backyard, Coachella 2005. Coldplay headlined on Saturday, and Nine Inch Nails headlined on Sunday night. It was the first time I watched my favorite band in high school, Rilo Kiley.
What was the first album you owned?
Christina Aguilera’s self-titled album. It had the hits “Genie in a Bottle,” “Come on Over (All I Want Is You),” “What a Girl Wants” … you get the picture. I’d pop that CD into my CD player and sing my little heart out, ha ha.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Thee Sacred Souls have been my go to for quite some time. They bring that old soul feel with a new twist. I highly recommend them. Orion Sun is another artist I’ve been listening to a lot lately. I love her voice and the production of her music.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
The TikTok genre, lol. The “super” pop music. I just can’t get into it. It sounds too “computerized” for me, almost like old-school video game music.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Buena Vista Social Club or Celia Cruz with the Sonora Matancera. That would be AMAZING.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Listening to Mexican boy bands like Reik and Camila. Their love songs just pull my heart strings.
What’s your favorite music venue?
At the moment, it would have to be The Ford in L.A. Every seat is a great seat there. It’s a cute, small outdoor theater. If you haven’t been, do yourself a favor, and GO!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
I have music playing in my head all day, every day! This is a hard one. It depends on what I listen to that day. I can hear a word, and it’ll trigger a line from a song, and that can get stuck in my head all day. Lately I’ve been singing “cuando vuelva a tu lado.” I suppose that line has been stuck in my head lately.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
As an adult, La Santa Cecilia has changed the way I approach/listen to music. (Lead singer) La Marisoul is a Chicana, Mexican American like me. She has a big voice and interprets music so beautifully. They write their own music and cover a lot of songs that I grew up listening to—reminds me of home and my childhood. They have a rock, blues, love ballad feel to them.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d sit down with Juan Gabriel, el divo de México. I’d pick his brain about his songwriting/composing process. He was and will always be one of the greats.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Cucurrucucu Paloma.” It would have to be played with a mariachi and sung by my partner Giselle.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Coldplay, Parachutes. Life-altering album! Just gets me in my “feels.”
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Alma Mia” interpreted by Natalia Lafourcade.
