Leidy Montilla, known artistically as LA MALSONANTE, is a Colombian singer-songwriter, experimental composer, and activist based in Bogotá. With a background in classical piano and a degree in Musical Composition from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Leidy has honed her skills as an arranger and composer, blending her talents with her passion for social activism. In her project LA MALSONANTE, which translates to “the bad sounding girl”, Leidy addresses critical social issues through her music. She focuses on the discrimination and violence faced by Indigenous women in urban spaces, particularly those in situations of forced displacement. Her work is a powerful medium for conveying the concepts of community feminism and decolonial feminism formulated by some Latin American movements of indigenous and Afro-descendent women.
Leidy’s musical expertise extends to Afro-Colombian music from the South Pacific, where she was a singer for the Zambó group, which skillfully integrated this tradition with elements of salsa, rock, and pop. Beyond her solo work, she has been working closely with Sonido Colectivo, a community collective that fosters dialogue and knowledge sharing between individuals and institutions with an interest in understanding the role and scope of music in social construction. She also serves as the choral director of the FISULAB Choir, which consists of patients with cleft lip and palate.
A master’s candidate and scholarship recipient in music from Latin America and the Caribbean at the University of Antioquia, Leidy has been recognized by various entities in Colombia for her contributions as a composer and singer. Her philosophy is rooted in addressing themes like feminism, anti-racism, and decoloniality, which she believes are crucial for her country. Leidy’s artistic statement reflects her commitment to valuing and highlighting the knowledge of historically marginalized communities in Colombia. She believes in the integration of art and music with actionable efforts to support vulnerable populations, proposing innovative ways of making art that resonate with her country’s unique context and challenges.
