Vanessa Zamora Debuts en San Diego

Tijuana's latest indie it-girl, Vanessa Zamora, made her debut with two shows in one day, including a set at Fiesta del Sol in Barrio Logan

There's few things more exciting than hearing that a Tijuanera alternative-pop singer/songwriter has been signed to Carla Morrison's indie label, Pan Dulce Productions.

Enter 21-year-old Vanessa Zamora, a classically trained pianist and guitarist born and raised in Tijuana. At first glance, she seems unassuming, with a natural pretty look -- no make-up, wears her hair naturally touseled with a part in the middle -- almost seeming like a very young fifth member of the Mamas & the Papas. But once you see her perform with guitar in hand, you're immediately captured into her acoustic indie-pop sound. The Tijuana singer's vocals are melodic, sort of in the same vein as fellow paisana singer Ximena Sariñana. Zamora first caught Morrison's attention when Zamora did a cover of one her songs on YouTube. Since then, she's been attracting listeners with her lead single, “Correr,” from her upcoming debut, Hasta la Fantasia. What may be even more impressive, though, is that she's already racked up 14,138 likes on Facebook,  despite not having an album out yet. How do you do that? G-O-O-D music, that's how. The young singer has been accumulating fans based on her touring and online music alone.

Zamora will make her San Diego debut with two shows in one day including an appearance at Fiesta del Sol in Barrio Logan, all on the weekend before turning 22-years-old.

Dita Quiñones: Have you performed in San Diego before?
Vanessa Zamora: This is the first time I perform in San Diego. I'm nervous and excited.

DQ: What excites you most about performing in historic Barrio Logan for the Fiesta del Sol?
VZ: To be able to play in another country, to play for the Latino and American audience in San Diego. This is a great oportunity to share my music. I was born and raised right across the border, so I've always known about Barrio Logan. I used to drive past it on the freeway and travelled through it with my friends on the trolley.

DQ: How are you preparing for two shows in one day?
VZ: Rehearsing with my band and just letting everything flow. Being calm is the way I try to prepare before any show.

DQ: How does it feel to be signed with Grammy-winning Mexicana paisana Carla Morrison's independent label?
VZ: I feel very blessed and happy. Carla has supported me since I've known her. She has a great heart, and I'm thrilled to be part of Pan Dulce.

DQ: What makes you most proud being a young Latina performer?
VZ: Just being Latina -- to represent a beautiful country like Mexico -- for me, it's an honor. Mexico has so much to offer in all aspects, so it's great to be representing Tijuana and all of Mexico at Fiesta del Sol. 

Vanessa Zamora peforms at
Fiesta del Sol and at Til-Two Club on July 20. Follow @vanezamoraa. LIKE Vanessa Zamora.

Dita Quiñones is a multimedia journalist born in Tijuana with a passion for Latin alternative and hip-hop music news. Her main goal is to uplift and inform so that the Latino and Hip-Hop community get knitted into the fabric of American history. In addition to SoundDiego, she contributes to Latina, FOX News Latino, Poder, VidaVibrante, and HipHopDx. She is also the founder of the infamous music and politrix blog GN$F! Follow Dita on Twitter.

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