Photo credit Karla Ximena Cerón.
Mexico City-based psych pop group Petite Amie was founded by Carlos Medina, who also serves as the bassist in tropical-pop band Little Jesus. In 2020, Carlos (guitar) was joined by Aline Terrein (vocals), Isabel Dosal (vocals), Santiago Fernández (bass), and Jacobo Velazquez (guitar) to create their first LP. The band released release their self-titled debut album on October 1 via Park The Van / Devil In The Woods.
Although the band usually gets together in Chimychanga Estudio to write and record, the group of friends have found sources of inspiration in different places in Mexico, taking their instruments along with them.
Tell us about the story of your act
We are a psych-pop band from Mexico City. Basically just a group of friends making music and having fun.
What is the message behind your art?
When we make music, we sort of try to find a common ground to get through the existential void that we sometimes find ourselves in.
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
Rather than drawing from a concrete situation, we try to connect to a feeling and build on it. Somehow, this allows us to create a collective imaginary that we can share with whomever feels like listening to what we have to say.
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
Britney Spears. #FreeBritney
All time favorite record?
Now That’s What I Call Music! 2
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about
We are releasing our first album and it’s crazy that we started making songs simply to make music and to have a good time with friends. However, after the first few times we got together for creative sessions, we realized that we all felt we shared the same spark. Thus, what started with a couple of songs in 2019, took the morphed into an album throughout 2020 and 2021. Beyond the number of tracks, this album is the witness of everything we lived even before we met, and of the ideas and emotions we shared while composing it.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint what inspires us. Perhaps, the best answer is to say that it’s Mexico City as it is such an enormous place that overflows with cultural syncretism. It’s impossible to detach ourselves from where we’re from.
What excites you the most about what you do?
The mere act of making music! We’re constantly pushing ourselves to make more and more and more!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
– Carlos still lives in Chimychanga and drinks a can of coke religiously.
– Santiago lost yet another debit card, but continues to be awesome.
– Jacobo is rocking the socks and sandals look, and goes back to Sonora as the hometown hero.
– Aline went to France for a couple of years and came back. She keeps in touch with Santiago Mijares.
– Isabel kept the rights for all the songs and continues to travel the world, performing her solo act.
Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics?
We only have one parameter: making stuff that makes us feel something :).
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
Probably the fact that we started playing during a pandemic.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
“Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.”
A shrimp that falls asleep, gets swept away by the tide (it rhymes in Spanish).
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
A.I. immersive musical experiences (but we don’t want no part in that).
