Dagmar Zuniga's enchanting underground folk music
The effortless enigma of in filth your mystery is kingdom / far smile peasant in yellow music, the debut album from Dagmar Zuniga, is apparent from the jump. The fidelity of the Texas independent folk artist’s project is a rough linen-like texture with layers of compression and hiss, far beyond mainstream ideas of TASCAM-fetishizing “lo-fi." Instead, Zuniga’s music feels like the end of a long procession of cassette dubs and re-dubs, each one a little further away from the original master than the last, until only what’s essential remains. There’s also the title, its first half a statement of purpose — creating a home for the unknown within an evil world — with the second making good on its promise.
in filth provides an antidote to the heartless pursuit of chill vibes that dominates so much of meditative music. The album, just under 29 minutes long, was written and recorded over a period of five years — every second counts, and every decision compliments each other. Zuniga offers two versions of the songs “Even God Gets Stuck In Devotion” and Plenty For All The Masses” and in these tunes we hear shades of Grouper’s ambient isolation and Cindy Lee's pop mystery, as well as clear glimpses of a deep spirituality. That feeling comes to a head on closer “To Live Happily,” where harsh noise meets basement church piano noodling.
Since its release in January, in filth has built an enthusiastic cult following that’s on the verge of going beyond the fringes of the internet: The album’s first run of cassettes sold out, and starting June 3, Zuniga will open three shows for Mount Eerie across Texas. We sent her a few questions over email and she responded sharing her personal motto, least favorite piece of advice, and more.
Name the last three songs you played/streamed.
“Goodbye Stranger” – Supertramp
“It’s A Soup” – Marja Marlene Lechner
“Travelin’ Soldier” – The Chicks
I recently learned that Natalie Maines criticized George W. Bush and the Iraq War right after this song hit No. 1 — while performing in Texas. It was subsequently boycotted by country radio and dropped from the charts, though it still went platinum by 2021. Inspiring.
What's your favorite song to play live right now and why?
“Lottery Tickets Winning Fuel and Water." I had a dream I was scratching lottery tickets. The only prizes were gasoline and water. My most recent song is always my favorite — it reflects where I’m at right now.
What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?
Lydia Lunch once said that everyone ought to sleep with as many people as possible. This is the worst advice I’ve ever heard.
What’s the last thing you wrote in your Notes app?
In the Bhakti tradition there is a concept which comes up via various stories in the Bhagavad Gita. Hanuman's unconditional love and devotion to Lord Rama is so intense that it causes Lord Rama to weep so that he feels bound to him and must grant him his eternal presence.
What’s a song that you’d like to cover?
What was the last movie you watched? Give a short review.
Bring Them Down by Christopher Andrews. If unrelenting brutality is what it takes to deepen our compassion for ourselves and each other, it could be a thrilling or beautiful experience. For me it was dreadful. They cut off a bunch of sheep’s legs. I didn’t like it very much. Barry Keoghan looks like a 40 year old lesbian, why is he always playing someone’s 16 year old son?
P.S. Barry Keoghan, I think you are an incredible actor. Xoxo hmu
