Q&A with singer-songwriter Alømelí

1. Hi Alømelí! Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind you latest track “La Frontera” and what motivated you to write this song?**

“I came to the UK to pursue a Master’s degree in acting back in 2019, and I have been living here ever since. During this time, I’ve focused my artistic research on themes of identity, belonging, and borders. Growing up in Sonora, these concepts were always a part of my life, and being an immigrant here has given me a deeper understanding of the challenges one faces when leaving their homeland. What ultimately inspired me to write the song was my own immigration status in the UK. I wrote it in a single day when I was looking at my options to legally stay in the UK. After living here for four years, paying taxes, and with my visa deadline approaching, I was deeply troubled. I spent a long time reflecting on my options, and during that process, vivid images of immigrants in Mexico flooded my mind. All the memories of my upbringing in Sonora, the emotions, the anger, the frustration, and the feeling of helplessness within a dehumanizing migration system all came rushing back.”

2. You grew up in Sonora, a border state neighboring Arizona in the US. How did your upbringing influence your perspective on border dynamics and migration?**

“From a very young age, I used to travel to the US a few times a year. Along the way to the border, I witnessed a lot of poverty and hardship. The newspapers were filled with stories of people attempting perilous border crossings, whether in search of a better life or fleeing from something. It gave me a more empathetic view of life and a deep resentment and fear towards borders due to their arbitrary nature and the pain they inflict. While I’m not a migration expert, the suffering and loss of life that I’ve seen linked to border dynamics show that governments are not addressing these issues effectively.”

3. The song touches upon both legal and illegal border crossings. Can you share some personal experiences or stories that shaped your understanding of these challenges?**

“When I was pursuing my Master’s degree, I conducted interviews and collected stories from people who had left their homelands in various ways. One striking story was shared by an interviewee who witnessed two girls stopped by the US border patrol, barefoot, in the scorching heat of my home state. These images stirred memories of people I had seen walking toward the border without proper footwear. Stories like these need to be told. I also recall headlines in the news, such as ‘Fifty-three people died after being found in an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio in June,’ and there are many more like it. I was fortunate to come to the UK legally, and even that was challenging, but not to the same extent as those risking their lives for a chance at a better life.”

4. You currently reside in the UK as an immigrant. Can you share more about your experiences and challenges as an immigrant in the UK, and the reasons behind your move?**

“Honestly, I left Mexico out of fear. I was constantly afraid for my safety, unable to walk alone at night or even go out without fear of abduction or violence by cartel members. I grew up learning that if I heard gunshots, I had to hide and stay silent. I actively participated in protests in Mexico, advocating for LGBT+ rights, women’s rights, and the justice for the 43 missing students in 2014. What pains me most is that Mexico is a beautiful country with breathtaking landscapes, incredible food, and warm-hearted people. I wish I hadn’t had to leave, missing moments like being with my family and watching my nieces and nephews grow up, or being there when my dad passed away. These are the sacrifices you make when you leave your homeland. On the other hand, I’m grateful for the peace of mind living in the UK has provided. I’ve met wonderful people who have become my family here. In my four years in the UK, I’ve built a life and want to use the opportunities it offers to help my family and others in any way I can.”

5. The song discusses the frustration stemming from convoluted immigration systems. What specific challenges have you encountered in the immigration process, and how does “La Frontera” reflect these frustrations?**

“While in the UK, I’ve come to realize the immense power of a passport. Something as arbitrary as the place of one’s birth can dictate where you can go and for how long. Although Mexico’s passport is not the worst, it doesn’t offer the same privileges as a European passport. It’s painful to be reminded daily that despite my mixed race heritage (like most Mexicans), I cannot access the benefits of my European ancestry due to a lack of records. Colonization has left many legacies, but the benefits have primarily accrued to colonizers. A European or US citizen can easily live in Mexico with little hassle and low cost, both in terms of the migration process and the cost of living. However, for me, it’s an entirely different experience. I’ve invested considerable time and money in visas, and I’m still waiting for confirmation from the Home Office. ‘La Frontera’ evolved into a performance art piece. I used an article about the song as evidence of my artistic journey because, to stay in the UK, I must prove my worth as a human being, someone who can contribute to society. I’m still uncertain if they see me as such. ‘La Frontera’ became my last resort, a direct message to the endorsing bodies to see beyond the paperwork and recognize the human behind it.”

6. Could you talk about the collaboration with Baldo Verdu and how your shared identities as Latin American musicians living in the UK influenced the song’s production?**

“The collaboration with Baldo felt serendipitous. I introduced him to my project and played him the song, and something immediately clicked between us. He understood where I was coming from and what the song represented because he had lived similar experiences. Our stories intersected in multiple ways, and he provided me with the opportunity to bring my project to life. When I heard the instrumentation he created, I was in awe of how well it captured our shared Latin American identity. The guitar, drums, rhythm, and overall atmosphere he crafted beautifully reflected our cultural influences.”

7. “La Frontera” is the beginning of a project with Kareliona Records. What can we expect from this project, and how does it aim to challenge stereotypes about the Latin American community?**

“I’ve been working on several songs with Baldo, and I always write about subjects that deeply move me. As a theater person, the narrative behind the art I create is essential. I can only write about what I know and who I am. Being a migrant, a queer, a northern Mexican woman living in the UK as an artist places me in a unique position to create meaningful art. With the incredible team at Kareliona Records, I aim to challenge stereotypes that have been unfairly placed upon Latin Americans. I want to shed light on these stereotypes from a firsthand perspective, providing a more authentic testimony. My goal is to share the beauty and complexity of our backgrounds and showcase that we have more to offer than what has been traditionally portrayed.”