The Weight of a Name
Soledad Ulloa arrived in Morelia five years ago, bringing with her a guitar and a wealth of stories. When asked why she chose to call herself Soledad, she explains that it is her middle name, but she has adopted it as an act of introspection. “Soledad (Solitude) is not bad; it helps us distinguish and see the bigger picture.” Her name, like her music, is a way of inhabiting oneself, reconciling with loss, and finding strength in fragility.
The Voice of Nostalgia
Soledad’s music is imbued with emotions that feel timeless. Influenced by Chilean cueca and Mexican ranchera music, her songs range from romantic to combative. In her melodies, nostalgia is not only a feeling but a starting point to tell the stories of what has been lived. I met her this year and later worked on the recording of Astro Brillante, a music video full of symbolism, dedicated to her sister Elizabeth and to those who have suffered losses.
“Astro Brillante” is more than a song: it is an offering. Its release coincided with the anniversary of her sister’s passing, a September 11th that resonates not only in her life but also in the collective memory of her hometown.
A session in Paracho
For this edition of Kústakuni, we decided to work with Soledad again, recording a special session in Paracho, the heart of Michoacán’s guitars. The choice of location was not accidental. In the cold mountain air, her voice resonated with an authenticity that seemed to blend with the strings of her guitar.
Her lyrics, full of protest and hope, found a perfect echo in the wood and mountains. In each chord, her Chilean roots intertwined with the strength of her present in Mexico.
Singing to heal
Soledad does not only sing; she creates to heal. Her upcoming album, Canto para Sanar, promises to be an intimate journey filled with symbols. On its cover, designed by @setornasol, the Copihue, Chile’s national flower, and Mexican votive candles coexist, symbols of rebirth, protection, and the connection between worlds.
“We create to heal; there is no other reason,” says Soledad, and it is precisely this spirit that permeates her music. Through it, she invites introspection, inhabiting the losses, and finding strength in what was thought to be broken. It is clear: the guitar sings in Solitude.
Sus letras, cargadas de protesta y esperanza, encontraron en la madera y las montañas un eco perfecto. En cada acorde, se entrelazaban sus raíces chilenas y la fuerza de su presente mexicano.
