Juana Molina

Juana Rosario Molina Villafañe (; born 1 October 1961) is an Argentine singer, songwriter and former actress, based in Buenos Aires. She is known for her distinctive sound, considered an exponent of folktronica, experimental, neofolk, chill-out, indietronica, psychedelic, indie pop, and progressive folk.

The daughter of tango singer and actress Chunchuna Villafañe, she achieved fame as a sketch comedy actress in the 1990s, first as a guest in various shows and in 1991 with her show, Juana y sus hermanas. At the height of her popularity, she quit her job as an actress to pursue a music career. Her debut album, Rara, was subsequently released in 1996, and panned by local critics who resented her departure from television. Discouraged by the criticism, she moved to Los Angeles, where her music had been better received, and she familiarized herself with electronic instruments. She then returned to Buenos Aires to produce her second album, Segundo, incorporating the sonic elements she had learned. Each one of her following albums has added a new complexity to her music, which is characterized by layered loops of acoustic and electronic sounds.

Despite the initial negative reaction to her music in her home country, music critics have consistently acclaimed Molina's work, praising her music and experimentation. In 2013, El País wrote, "she established herself as the star of the avant-garde sound of her country in the world." Writing for The Guardian, Robin Denselow called her the "one-time Queen of Latin chill" and wrote: "[she] has built up a global cult following as one of the most experimental musicians in Argentina."

Early life Juana Rosario Molina Villafañe was born to a family of artists in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 1, 1961. She is the eldest daughter of Horacio Molina, a tango singer, and Chunchuna Villafañe, an actress and model. She has a younger sister who has also worked as an actress and musician. The family lived in the central Buenos Aires barrio of Caballito. She began to learn to play the guitar at age 5. In 1967, Juana recorded her first song with her father, "Te regalo esta canción" ("I gift you this song"), as a gift to her mother for Mother's Day. Horacio Molina released the song as a single —without his young daughter knowing—which sold 45 thousand copies.

In 1976, the family left for Paris, France, due to the military dictatorship that overthrew President Isabel Perón. While in Paris, she listened to what is now known as "world music" on French radio stations. In various interviews, Molina has recalled a visit to a Spanish hippie family friend who introduced her to Indian classical music, whose drones have had an enduring influence on her music. In 1981, Molina returned to Buenos Aires. To finance her architecture studies, she had various small jobs, including an unsuccessful experience as a backing vocalist in small bands. The show, which ran until 1990, further cemented her popularity as a sketch comedy actress and writer. The show was also performed live at the Teatro Gran Rex and in Mar del Plata.

The pinnacle of her success came with her show, Juana y sus hermanas ("Juana and Her Sisters", a wordplay on Hannah and Her Sisters), which premiered in 1991. Molina became Argentina's most popular comedian, having her show syndicated to other Latin American countries. A compilation album of songs by Molina featured in the show was released.

Produced by Gustavo Santaolalla and recorded in 1995, Molina's debut album, Rara, was released in 1996. The album was poorly marketed; Micaela Ortelli of Página/12 wrote: "Never did an Argentine radio play a song from that album, – too pop to be folk and too folk, perhaps, to be radio material." Having learned how to record her music, she began to self-produce new material at the request of DreamWorks Records. Although the company ultimately did not sign her, these recordings would become Segundo, her second studio album. American musician David Byrne bought Segundo — intrigued by its artwork — and quickly became an admirer of the record.

Released: 1996 Label: MCA Formats: CD, cassette

Released: 2000 Label: Domino Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: 2002 Label: Domino Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: 23 May 2006 Label: Domino Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: 6 October 2008 Label: Domino Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: 28 October 2013 Label: Crammed Discs Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Released: 5 May 2017 Label: Crammed Discs Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Releases: 5 November 2025 Label: Sonamos Formats: LP, digital download, streaming

"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Collaborative albums Title Description A○○B Released: 2003 Label: A∩B Formats: CD

Soundtrack albums Title Description Juana y sus hermanas Released: 1991 Label: Epic Formats: CD, cassette, LP

Live albums Title Description Anrmal Released: 23 October 2020 Label: Crammed Discs Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming

Extended plays Title Description Forfun Released: 25 October 2019 Label: Crammed Discs Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming Exhalo Released: 22 November 2024 Label: Sonamos, Little Butterfly Formats: LP, digital download, streaming

Singles As lead artist Title Year Album "Te regalo esta canción" / "Eso eres mamá" 1967 "Sálvese quien pueda" 2005 Tres cosas "Un día (Reboot remix)" 2010 "Eras" 2013 Wed 21 "Cosoco" 2017 Halo "Las culpas II" 2018 "Paraguaya Punk" 2019 Forfun

As featured artist Title Year Album "Slow Motion Detonation" 2017 Mountain Moves "Al sur" 2021 Vertigo Days