Have you heard of Violeta Parra? If not, then in this episode, you will discover that she was more than a musician—she was a poet, activist, and artistic force whose songs have shaped movements, comforted souls around the world, and stood the test of time.

In this interview, I sit down with Ericka Verba, musician, historian, and author of Gracias a la Vida: The Biography of Violeta Parra, to explore Parra’s incredible life. We cover it all—from her origins in Chile to her global influence, her artistic versatility to how her music gave voice to the marginalized, and the deep emotional truths in her lyrics.

Ericka shares how she first heard of Parra’s music, her journey writing this biography, and why she believes Parra’s work is so important and continues to resonate today.

It doesn’t matter if you already know Violeta’s work or are new to her music and life—this conversation will leave a lasting impression about the transformative power of music

About Ericka:

Ericka Verba is Director and Professor of Latin American Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research interests include the cultural Cold War, the role of music in social movements, and the intersection of gender and class politics in twentieth-century Latin America. She is the author of the book Thanks to Life: A Biography of Violeta Parra.

Connect with Ericka:

erickaverba.com

https://www.facebook.com/ericka.verba/

https://www.instagram.com/ericka_verba/

Purchase Ericka's book 'Thanks to life'

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