Laura Itandehui’s musical path has never been just about the music itself; it’s a pursuit of self-discovery, a way to make sense of the world, and a means to convey the stories that shape her. Following the release of her debut album in 2021, a project she describes as a collection of moments that fell together almost by accident, the Oaxaca de Juárez-born artist quickly found herself at the heart of Mexican songwriting thriving scene. But for her second album, Si Me Ven Alegre, Laura made a conscious decision. She wanted this record to feel like a deliberate celebration of what’s come before and what’s to come, a reflection of growth and the joy of creating with intention. It’s a record shaped by her travels, her encounters with new cultures, and the rich, varied rhythms that have seeped into her soul.

In her own words, “It’s the continuation and evolution, but also the reverse of the last album.” That statement marks a clear shift: from the introspective and somewhat accidental nature of her debut to the confident and joyful exploration that now defines Si Me Ven Alegre. With the album’s brighter tones and its celebration of life and love, Laura’s sound is the rhythm of a life in motion, moving forward with clarity and purpose.

When we caught up with Laura to discuss Si Me Ven Alegre, it was evident that this album is more than just a continuation of her musical journey, it marks a clear step forward. Two years after our first meeting in Setúbal at EXIB Musica, Laura’s sound and vision have matured, and this new work is a bold reflection of that growth.

“I usually say that it’s the continuation and evolution, but also the reverse of the last album,” she reflects, almost in awe of the journey she’s been on since her debut. “As my second album project, it’s an evolution because most of the team who worked on the first album worked as well on this. And I think you can hear how the years have passed and how we have all grown a lot professionally and in life. You can feel a different maturity… it’s firmer.”

It’s a sound that Laura describes as both more certain and more purposeful. The first album was a spontaneous, almost accidental project, created from compositions that had been written with no real end goal in sight. “The first one was pretty… I didn’t plan it. The compositions were written for another purpose, and then they were just there. The musical thing was to record them… and perform them,” she admits. “But this time, it was very voluntary. It was a decision, and it was a goal.”

And that goal was clear: to create a record that celebrates life, love, and the joy of music itself. “This album is much happier. It’s more luminous. And hence the title, which is If They See Me Happy. It’s a celebration of life, a celebration of joy, a celebration of love.” This shift marks a personal transformation for Laura, one that mirrors her own growth. Having experienced the world, her sound now exudes a clarity and brightness that reflects the journey she’s been on.

But how do you go from creating a record by chance to intentionally crafting an album full of joy? For Laura, it wasn’t just about writing new music, it was about living, growing, and experiencing. “I travelled quite a lot between the two albums,” she says. Her musical journey has led her across continents, touring Europe, Latin America, and the United States, soaking in the cultural nuances of each place. “When the first album was published, I got a few gigs. I went to Portugal, Latin America, here in Mexico, the United States, a little bit of Europe… a little bit of everything.”

It was these experiences that, perhaps, began to shape the sound of the new record. When asked if her travels had any influence on the album, Laura’s answer is simple yet profound: “Yes, of course. Every time you travel and you get to know new places, even just listening to music from other places, it does get to you. But it’s much stronger when you get to travel to those places. I’ve been lucky enough to do that.”

Laura’s travels in 2022 to Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela had a profound effect on her music, leaving an indelible mark from the heart of these countries’ rich musical traditions. “I remember traveling with Augusto Bracho to Peru and Colombia. And last year, we went to Venezuela. I think listening to the music played live by local musicians, that really got to me.” This infusion of new influences runs deep throughout Si Me Ven Alegre. The album is alive with the vibrant rhythms of salsa, guaguancó, cumbia, and vallenato, to name a few, styles Laura fully immersed herself in during her travels.

Laura recalls a specific moment of inspiration that led to the title track of the album. “That song is a paseo vallenato. I was very inspired after traveling to Colombia, and I had this rhythm dancing around in my brain,” she says with a smile. “It’s a love song about missing somebody, but being happy, because, as the lyrics say, ‘If they see me joyful, but you’re not here, it’s because I know you’ll be back and I’ll be with you again.’” It’s a celebration of love, joy, and the anticipation of reunion: a stark contrast to the melancholy that defined much of her debut album.

Even within the album’s overall brightness, Laura introduces a shift in energy. One of the tracks, “Causa Perdida” (“Lost Cause”), moves into more introspective territory, with a rhythm rooted in danzón, a Cuban style known for its poised, slow tempo and formal elegance. It brings a subtle contrast to the rest of the album’s celebratory tone. “It’s a very dark and resentful song,” Laura explains. “All the arrangements were made by Gustavo Guerrero, who also produced the first album. We decided to make it without any harmonic instruments, just percussion, saxophones, and clarinets, baritone saxophone, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, and clarinet. It’s like a little orchestra for a very dark song.”

This balancing act between light and dark, between joy and sorrow, is one of the defining aspects of Si Me Ven Alegre. It’s an album that reflects the complexities of life itself, moving from moments of pure euphoria to times of introspection and reflection. For Laura, it’s a portrait of growth, both as an artist and as a person.

As we continue through the interview, Laura shares more about the team of musicians that helped bring the album to life, many of whom have become close friends and collaborators. “Most of these musicians usually play jazz in their daily lives, and we loved bringing them into popular rhythms and styles,” she says. The team includes Diego Franco on saxophone, Gustavo Guerrero on guitar, percussion, and vocals, and Reynier Limonta, a Cuban percussionist living in Mexico City, who was instrumental in solidifying the album’s Latin rhythms.

For Laura, these musicians weren’t just collaborators, they were part of a shared vision, a shared story. “It was fantastic. Most of them are very good friends, and as I mentioned, they worked on the first album. But seeing them again, there’s a trust and an excitement in doing something new together.”

For all the soul poured into the music, the space where the magic came to life was equally important. “It was recorded at El Desierto Casa Estudio. It’s a magical place,” Laura reveals. “I’m really happy to see that even internationally, people are now traveling there to work. It’s run by the engineer Daniel Bitrán Arispe, who also did the recording and mixing.” Nestled near Bosque de los Leones in Mexico City, the studio is housed in a large wooden house, transformed into a professional space by Daniel. “The equipment is great, the technical team is great. It’s a studio that gives you everything, but you have to come prepared, with clarity, and take advantage of the opportunity.” It’s a space where the music can breathe and evolve naturally, a perfect fit for Laura’s vision.

As Laura Itandehui prepares to take Si Me Ven Alegre from the studio to the stage, the path ahead is both exhilarating and challenging. With plans to tour across Mexico, Europe, and Latin America, the logistics of an independent tour are proving to be a demanding task.

“I’m really having a bit of trouble organising a tour,” Laura admits. “This is a completely independent project, and it’s still me who organises most of everything. I do have a couple of people I can go to, so maybe they can get a concert here or there. But I’m still working on building a route for touring.” Despite these hurdles, Laura remains resolute in her determination to share her music with as many people as possible. Her Mexican fans will be the first to experience the album live, with plans for a full-band performance in Mexico City this June.

However, a full band, as Laura puts it, is a luxury she can’t always afford. “We’re going to be about eight or nine on stage in Mexico City,” she says. “That’s something you can’t really bring abroad.” With the complexities of independent touring, the logistics simply don’t add up. “No… it breaks my heart, but no,” she adds with a sigh. “So, whenever there isn’t a budget for the full band, I’ll be traveling and presenting the album on my own,” she explains.

These solo performances will give her the chance to adapt the arrangements. “You adapt and try to keep the soul of the arrangement while playing solo on the guitar.” She acknowledges the challenge, particularly when it comes to reworking Gustavo Guerrero’s intricate guitar arrangements. “I’ll have to learn what Gustavo Guerrero did with the guitar; he’s fantastic. So, like with the first album, I’ll study it, learn it, and grow from it.”

Beyond the tours and writing, Laura also reflects on the rich musical landscape of Mexico City, a place where diversity thrives and new musical voices are constantly emerging. “Mexico is a very fertile place for musicians. It’s so vast and so diverse, you go to one corner of the country, and you get a whole new musical universe. It’s immense.” She credits the vibrant and varied scene in Mexico City as a driving force behind her own musical journey.

Some of her favourite collaborators and friends are musicians from the city’s jazz scene. “Mexico City is like a country inside a country. There are people from all around the world as well,” she says. Musicians like the aforementioned Augusto Bracho (who’s also known as Gustavo Guerrero), a Venezuelan artist, have had a profound influence on her music. She also highlights other key figures in the scene, such as El David Aguilar, Anthony Escandón, and a host of jazz musicians who continue to shape her creative world. “I know so many people… so many,” Laura says, speaking with admiration for the rich talent that surrounds her.

When asked about how she brings her diverse musical influences together, Laura is thoughtful. “I think it depends on the story you’re telling, and how you’re telling it. Different genres demand different storytelling styles. You can’t tell the same love story in a ranchera as in a vallenato, for example.” This ability to shape her music according to the narrative is at the heart of her creative process. She describes her approach to songwriting: “The way I write usually starts with a phrase—a small phrase, maybe even just a word—and then everything comes at the same time: harmony, melody, lyrics.” It’s this organic fusion of elements that gives her music such a distinct, personal feel.

“Once you get the sense of the story and the melody, it takes you to a certain style or rhythm. Then, when the song is complete, you think: how can we dress this up to enhance it?” This intuitive approach to style selection allows Laura to navigate between rhythms like guaguancó, vallenato, salsa, and more. It’s not about choosing a genre first and writing to fit it; it’s about letting the story guide her, naturally bringing the right sounds to life.

When it comes to the creative side of her work, Laura remains focused on her next steps. “I always feel like I’m late: late for the next step,” she says with a laugh. “I haven’t started writing new songs per se. I do keep a log of ideas and phrases I want to work on. And since I’ll be in Austria for that residency, I’ll use that time to write.”

However, her next project is already on the horizon, even though her current album is just beginning to see the light of day. “I need to start right now,” she admits. There’s a sense of urgency in her words, as if she’s always chasing the next wave of inspiration.

But what does Laura hope listeners will take away from this album when they hear it? “I would love for people to truly enjoy the sound of the album, to appreciate the work of the amazing musicians involved,” she says with admiration for her collaborators. “As a musician, I’d love for that to come across: the arrangements, the performances, the mixing and mastering. We really made an effort to do everything right. It’s a very handmade album. The musicians are playing, we were all there in the room.”

There’s an authenticity to Si Me Ven Alegre that speaks to Laura’s desire to create something genuine and heartfelt. “I’d love people to take away what I mentioned at the beginning: that this is a celebration of life and of joy,” she adds. “Yes, there are some dark or sad moments, but they’re all pointing toward the joy of being here, being alive, enjoying life.” She stresses that she didn’t want the album to lean into any solemn or overly dark places. Instead, she aimed to present both the difficult and the happy moments with a sense of joy. “It was something I really needed myself, and I hope people can feel that and understand.”

Si Me Ven Alegre, the second album by Laura Itandehui, was released on 28th March.
You can listen to it and purchase your copy HERE