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Yahritza y Su Esencia

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

On this week's episode of Alt.Latino, Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras travel to Yakima, Wash., to interview family band Yahritza y Su Esencia. Jackie Lay/NPR hide caption

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Jackie Lay/NPR

Alt.Latino

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

For the second episode of Alt.Latino's regional Mexican music series, hosts Anamaria Sayre and Felix Contreras interview the rising family band Yahritza y Su Esencia in its hometown of Yakima, Wash. The two discover that the U.S.-Mexico border looms large in this regional Mexican moment, especially for Yahritza y Su Esencia — not strictly because of the music's obvious Mexican roots, but also the ways in which the border can create an "us" and "them" dynamic. The band's struggles with musical and personal identity also reflect the real struggles that millions of U.S.-born folks with Mexican heritage face. And what started as a musical journey for Ana and Felix has now become a personal journey.

Regional Goes Global, Part 2: A band finds its voice amid a storm of controversy

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