Music and Family

I decided to interview my mom Maricela Cedillo, she is 52 years old and is from Mexico.  

What sort of music-culture did you grow up in?

I grew up listening to 80’s and 70’s music. I really liked listening to disco music because it was fun to dance to and romantic music.

Where did you grow up?

Queretaro, Mexico

What kind of music did you grow up with? What did it mean to you and the people around you? Did music have any particular function? When and where did you listen to it?

I grew up listening to Mexican music particularly ballads because those were my dad’s favorite to listen to. I would listen to music mostly home. I would put it on to do my chores or I liked to sit on my porch outside in the summer time and listen to music.

Was the kind of music you listened to growing up popular at the time, either in general or within your friend group?

Yeah, disco was very popular during that time and everyone loved going to the clubs and that is the music we would all dance to during my teen years.

How did you listen to music? What kind of technology did you have?

I would listen to my music on the radio or use cassettes.

Did you go to concerts? What were they like? What was the first concert you went to?

No not really I didn’t get to go to any growing up, but my first concert was Los Tigres del Norte. (A very famous Mexican Norteno band). I remember everyone getting to dress up in their cowboy and cowgirl outfits and I remember it being very hot and being so packed in close together you barely had room to dance.

Has any musician inspired you?

Kenny Rodger, His music and is voice is so pretty it just makes me feel good. I’ve always had a special place for his music.

Did you play any instruments or sing growing up? How did you feel about that? Do you still play/sing? Do you regret anything?

No, the only instrument I sort of played was the flute in middle school in Mexico for two years but I never really grew to love it.

How did your parents influence what you listened to? 

I did not like their music at all. I would lock my self in my room and listen to disco music and they would listen to traditional Mexican bands and I was not into it. Now that I’m older I am starting to appreciate that kind of music and enjoy it a lot more that I did growing up.

Was music a priority in your family? How so?

No, as far as enjoying music to listen to or to enjoy or at a party.

 Do you still listen to the same kind of music you listened to growing up? How is it the same or different? 

No, I have expanded my list on what I like to enjoy, I used to listen to what was popular like disco or much slower songs. Now I listen to banda, cumbia, merengue, and country, pop all of it.

What sort of music do you listen to now? When do you listen to it?

In the car only, I like to listen to my music when I drive. We live about 25 min from everything so it is always nice to enjoy.

What do you think of popular music today? Do you like my music?

Yes, I actually find my self dancing to some of your music and not understand any of the words. I just hope they are not saying any bad words!!

Do you like the music of any other sort of culture?

Yes, I really like Colombian Music, Argentinian Music.

What does music mean to you?

Music to me is a way of expressing your self with out words. If you’re happy you can use na upbeat happy song to express that. If you are feeling sad you might play a slow, dark, song. However you are feeling music can be a way to represent that.