One sunny afternoon, we whisked Catalan musician Alidé Sans away from the bustle of the Folklife Festival to the other side of the Smithsonian Castle. In the shade of the magnolia trees in the Haupt Garden, the singer-songwriter was able to share a song in a more intimate atmosphere.

Sans sings in Occitan, a Romance language spoken in various regions of Europe including her home of Val d’Aran, located in northwestern Catalonia. Her musical style is influenced by genres such as rumba, reggae, and soul.

Hear more of her music on alidesans.com.