Since her debut in 2020, San Francisco’s La Doña has been shooting for the stars and almost immediately nailed it with widespread local praise. But this year, we’ve really been seeing her big moves pay off – recognition in Rolling Stone, a slot at Outside Lands, and the coveted Obama playlist placement. Despite the fact that she could, if she wanted, start striving for national and international fame, she stays grounded in the Bay with her new EP, Can’t Eat Clout, on ultra-local label Text Me Records.
Caveat before I get the review portion of this started: I’m half Mexican-American, but was raised, culturally, very white. So I’m not going to sit here and pretend I know much about Mexican musical traditions. All I know is that the album is a refreshing entry into the local music catalog. Even within Text Me’s already wide-ranging musical roster, it stands out as a release that straddles traditional music and newer trends. “Loser Girl” builds on the Mexican-American community’s love of oldies, and her collaboration with up-and-coming actor and rapper Tia Nomore, “Show Me How You Livin,” is a seamless melding of brassy hooks and spirited delivery. On Can’t Eat Clout, La Doña bridges her more traditional roots with moving towards her own singular sound.
La Doña is heading all over North America in just a few days, but check the Fillmore on 11/9 for a local date.
