STEFA*’s Born with an Extra Rib Influences Playlist on Flood Magazine
STEFA*’s Born with an Extra Rib Influences Playlist
With their debut album out now, stefa marin alarcón shares a few favorite tracks by Empress Of, Santigold, Saul Williams, and more.
Words: Mike LeSuer
Photo: viento izquierdo ugaz
July 09, 2024
“At the heart of stefa marin alarcón’s debut album as STEFA* lies one simple question: “What myths do we inherit that keep us away from ourselves?” Based on the album’s title, Born with an Extra Rib, one can imagine that some of the answers the artist may have arrived at either stem directly from the inherent misogyny of the Old Testament creation story or the curdled sense of piousness the Christian Bible has arrived at in contemporary times, which finds itself in opposition to alarcón’s identity as a Columbian-American trans person. As they explain, with their Sepalina EP laying the emotional groundwork for the project, Extra Rib allows them to explore those emotions more deeply—whether it be a justified rage (see the album cover) or any other.”
“Yet equally to thank for the new record’s elaborate set of emotion-based songwriting is an eclectic cast of peers and pioneering musicians who helped STEFA* shape those feelings into sound, while in some cases additionally providing them with the strength to continue on as an artist. From veteran Latin musicians like Rita Indiana and Héctor Lavoe to contemporary names in indie rock and pop such as Waxahatchee and Empress Of, the multimedia artist gave us a glimpse of some of the artists that made them feel like an “untouchable baddie” as Born with an Extra Rib was coming together.”
Waxahatchee, “I Think I Love You”
When I get obsessed with a song, I play it over and over until I know every breath, every beat. I love how vulnerable her voice is in this. She makes the song feel like a secret between two people. The feeling of intimacy this song creates inspired “Same Body.”
The Cranberries, “I Still Do”
Someone once told me my voice reminded them of Dolores O’Riodran, so I looked her up and was like OMG “Zombie,” of course! This song starts their debut album, and I love everything she does with her voice—the control and the freedom and the coolness is all so alluring to me.
Santigold feat. Karen O, “GO!”
I love Santigold’s packed production. The electronic feel on the bass and percussion is so fun and energetic and feels almost political. The mix between Karen O and Santigold’s vocal effects make the song feel very devil-may-care. I wanted to capture this attitude on “3COSAS!” and throughout my album.
Rita Indiana, “Como un Dragón!”
I love Rita Indiana's lyric choices throughout this song. The drums and the sound effects add a layer to this track that makes it all feel very cinematic. She calls herself a storyteller first and foremost, and you can feel that in the way she builds out the song with her voice.
Bilal, “Bury Me Next to You”
Bilal's voice and range is otherworldly. I love unique voices that carry and tell stories. Some of my favorite singers are storytellers.
Find all their picks and read more on Flood Magazine.