Interview with Juilana Rodriquez

Partial Transcript: We can just start with some background; when were you born, where were you born, and a little bit about your childhood.

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez discusses her childhood and her introduction to music. She emphasizes how she was taught by her father, alongside her brothers, and talks about her musical influences.

Keywords: Musicianship

Subjects: Colombia; Family

Partial Transcript: So when did you come to Louisville?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez talks about when she met her husband in the U.S. at a music festival and about her subsequent move to Louisville. She talks about entering the scene and her involvement with projects including Rusty Dimes and the Good Times, Los Dolores, a flamenco group, Girls Rock Louisville, and teaching music. Rusty Dimes is a funk/soul/disco band, Los Dolores is an original band with all original music where Rodriguez plays bass and sings. She also sings for the Academy of Flamenco Arts.

Keywords: Academy of Flamenco Arts; Girls Rock Louisville; Los Dolores; Louisville; Rusty Dimes and the Good Times; Underground Scene

Subjects: bassist; cover; disco; flamenco; funk; music festival; original music; singer; soul

Partial Transcript: What motivated you to be in bands and to make and play music?

Segment Synopsis: Discusses how music has been her whole life and that she started recording when she was eight or nine years old. Rodriguez also comments on her Colombian band, a tribute band, called Skull Classic Stone, which she still plays with when possible. She mentions that she has tried other careers, such as when she went to culinary school, but she always goes back to music.

Keywords: Colombia; Musicianship; Skull Classic Stone

Subjects: childhood; culinary school; music; tribute

Partial Transcript: So when you came to Louisville, what were your impressions of the scene here?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez talks about the first time she played in the U.S. at the Abbey Road Festival and how nervous she was to play. She mentions feeling welcomed and appreciated in Louisville. Her first year in the scene, she recalls feeling overwhelmed with support from within the scene.
Rodriguez talks about the many people she's met in the scene and how she has met different types of musicians and audiences depending on the type of music she is playing. She also mentions that she has barely had any contact with Latin Americans in her time in Louisville.

Keywords: Abbey Road on the River; Louisville Underground Music Scene; Relationships

Subjects: genre; immigration; Latin Americans; musical festival; support

Partial Transcript: So, Girls Rock Louisville, will you talk a little more about it and what you do with it?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez works in fundraising for Girls Rock Louisville, and is a keyboard instructor for the camp. She mentions that she plans to do a Girls Rock Camp in Bogota, Colombia. Rodriguez describes Girls Rock as teaching girls instruments as well as self-esteem and empowerment, and is as inclusive as possible. She mentions the lack of immigrants and Latinos in the camps, and says that she is the only Latin American immigrant among the volunteers. Though she is starting to reach out to Latin Americans through the flamenco group.

Keywords: Colombia; Girls Rock Camp; Girls Rock Louisville; Louisville

Subjects: community; empowerment; flamenco; fundraising; immigrants; instructor; Latin Americans; Latinx

Partial Transcript: While in Louisville, what has been your most memorable show that you have done or have gone to?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez comments that the most memorable show she has done in Louisville was the first one she played in America. She also talks about the shows she has seen in Louisville, and how she is able to see many great bands, which was not a reality in Colombia.

Keywords: Abbey Road on the River; Colombia; Concerts; Louisville

Subjects: immigrant; shows

Partial Transcript: What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced being a musician?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez mentions that she did not have a normal childhood as she was recording and giving interviews at a young age, but had to come to terms with that being okay. She also discusses how it is a struggle to feel comfortable and confident in a different culture and setting when she moved to America. Rodriquez says that everything is a new challenge, and you never stop growing as a musician.

Keywords: Louisville; Musicianship; Underground Scene

Subjects: challenges; childhood; confidence; culture; immigrant; struggles

Partial Transcript: Has race or gender played a role in your experience in the scene?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez talks about how though she came from a very masculine culture, she never felt that she was left behind for being a female. She mentions how being a woman and struggles with it are different in Colombia and the U.S. and she has had to understand that while living in America. She mentions that though she may have had some odd or inconsiderate questions, she has never felt anything bad for being an immigrant. Though she mentions this may be because her English is good and she doesn't look as Latinx as others may. Rodriguez mentions that in her experience she does not see many Latin Americans in the scene, but does not have much connection with the community in Louisville.

Keywords: Gender; Latin Americans; Latinx; Louisville; Race; Underground Scene

Subjects: acceptance; community; female; immigrant; machista; masculinity; struggles

Partial Transcript: Is there anything we've missed, that you can think of?

Segment Synopsis: Rodriguez talks about Los Dolores and how she had only been playing bass for a year and a half. She also sings in the Rusty Dimes and the flamenco group. Rodriguez says she has dedicated her life to be a great singer, but she learned piano when she started teaching, though she can't play piano and sing at the same time.

Keywords: Los Dolores; Louisville; Musicianship; Rusty Dimes and the Good Times

Subjects: bassist; flamenco; pianist; singer; teaching