Things That Matter to...Mon Laferte

Mon Laferte is one of Latin America's most dynamic artists, unstoppable since releasing her album Mon Laferte Vol. 1 in 2015. Last year's Latin Grammy winner for Best Alternative Song for 'Amárrame', the young Chilean singer-songwriter was also nominated for Best Alternative Music Album, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Moving fluidly between genres – boleros, rock, soul and Latin pop – she draws from the past and adds a contemporary edge. Last year Mon released La Trenza – featuring collaborations with Juanes, Manuel Garcia and Bunbury – and headlined Latin American Festivals from Viña del Mar to Vive Latino. She also collaborated with singer songwriter Jorge Drexler on the track Asilo. Ahead of her London debut on Friday, we talked about the Things That Matter to...Mon Laferte

by Mon Laferte

I swear I remember being born…because I remember seeing a light as I came out. Nobody believes me when I say this, but it’s true. I totally remember this...

I’ve inherited my mother’s creativity…she always invented stories and she’s a lucid dreamer. I’ve inherited my dad’s grumpiness (laugh)

Natalia Lafourcade once said to me... ‘duerme mamita’ (go to sleep, dear). That’s the most useful piece of advice I’ve been given!

The kindest thing someone has done for me...was my best friend Mari, who looked after my grandfather when he was ill

Last night I cried...watching (Chilean singer songwriter) Pedropiedra in concert, when he played his song ‘La inteligencia dormida’

The film Trainspotting made a huge impact on me.. when I was a teenager, because I wanted to be like the characters in the film. I’ve always been a bit melancholic…

The artist I probably most admire...is John Lennon, but the person who has most influenced me as an artist is my grandmother. She was also a writer and would always go and dance tango on Sundays

I am happy…I travel to play my music. I like my life at the moment. It’s phyisically tiring but I travel with a light spirit. I feel young. I am surrounded by friends, people who I love, and who love me. I feel that have a lot of love to give at the moment and I’m having a great time. Today I’m going to the cinema, that makes me happy (laughs)

The hardest thing I’ve had to overcome... is loneliness. But I’ve learned that the key is to find something funny or charming in the mundane. I spend a lot of time waiting…waiting in airport lounges, waiting for buses, train, which I used to think it was boring, until I learned to find joy in simple pleasures, reading, writing…

Even my dog makes me laugh... my dogs and cats are always making me laugh, just doing the silly things that they do. I love eating, I love cooking, painting, dancing, walking through the city of Santiago, drinking coffee with friends. Those are the things that bring me pleasure.

The falling of the twin towers made a big impact on me…it was as if everything changed in that moment. I worry about climate change a lot and about the impact of what we are doing to the earth. But love always make me feel optimistic. When I feel there is love anything is surmountable. I believe in the power of love.

Mon Laferte will be performing on Friday Nov 9 at EartH more info and tickets https://www.comono.co.uk/live/mon-laferte/