Growing up in Latin America, music was an essential part of my life. No matter the setting, whether I was spending lazy afternoons at my abuelita’s house, or stuck in a stifling waiting room, there would always be someone on the radio serenading the scenes of my childhood.

Little Toni ready to take centre stage at a cultural performance.

Now, as a young woman living in Canada, Latin American music has become a steward of memories; a way for me to remain rooted in my cultural heritage while I navigate life as an immigrant. To celebrate the end of Hispanic Heritage month (September 15 - October 15th), I have lovingly curated a list of artists for you.

The artists on this list have become the soundtrack of my life in Vancouver, their songs accompanying both the joys and the disappointments inherent to being a 20-something living far from home. Whether you are a seasoned Hispanic music listener, or this is your first experience with the Spanish music scene, I hope you resonate with the passion these artists imbue in their work.

Con amor,

Antonia

P.S. Check out this playlist! It has all of the artists mentioned here, plus a couple of other gems ;)

Silvana Estrada - Xalapa, México

Sweet. Nostalgic. Therapeutic. Whimsical. With strong influences from jazz and Latin American folk music, Silvana Estrada’s work is mesmerising.

Her music feels intimate. When I listen to Silvana, I imagine myself at a small gathering, listening to a friend play tunes on her guitar. She has mastered the art of making her songs feel like a conversation. A conversation that does not shy away from discussing social issues. Her song Si Me Matan (If They Kill Me), is about the rising number of femicides in México; Estrada’s music is beautiful, and in that beauty, she inculcates revolution.

Her album Marchita is one of my favourite records of 2022. It is an album that carried me through the inevitable growing pains of my first couple of years at university. During this time, I would listen to Marchita religiously, playing it in the early morning and once more when the afternoon blues would slowly creep into my headspace. Estrada’s evocative voice is accompanied by wistful instrumentals, resulting in a heart-wrenching, yet incredibly cathartic album. The lyrics feel like salve on fresh wounds: restorative. One need not speak Spanish to appreciate the raw emotion Silvana poured into these songs.

In my opinion, her music is best appreciated in nature. Set an alarm for sunset or sunrise. Go for a walk in the park and listen to Marchita. Thank me later.

Want to know more about Silvana? Check out her website here. Stalk her Instagram here. Or click here to read more about her musical trajectory.

Diamante Eléctrico - Bogotá, Colombia

There is no denying that Latin rock is phenomenal. With Juan Galeano leading vocals and bass, Andrés Kenguan on drums, and Daniel Álvarez playing the guitar, Diamante Eléctrico has gained international acclaim for their edgy anthems. They are an outspoken band, with their songs unabashedly delving into topics like our gendered societies and the widespread disappearance of Colombian citizens by armed forces.

Every city I have ever lived in has a personal soundtrack, and Bogotá, my hometown, is inextricably linked to the songs written by Diamante Électrico. I play their music whenever I miss my older brother, Martin. The tunes transport me back to the seemingly endless traffic jams that plague the streets of Bogotá. The very same traffic jams where Martin, a lover of the intersection between art and politics, first introduced me to this uninhibited musical group.

Their 2023 album Leche de Tigre, was inspired by the band’s experiences living across Colombia and México. Mixing Latin esoterism (like Mexican myths) with our modern grievances (like getting broken up with over a voice note), the album pays a grunge homage to the concrete jungles of México City and Bogotá.

Want to know more about Diamante Électrico? Stalk them on Instagram here. Check out their website here (English translations available!) Or click here to learn more about their musical trajectory.

The Marias - Puerto Rico / Los Angeles, USA

The Marias in a nutshell: The bilingual dream. This indie pop band is known for their sultry, intoxicating ballads that effortlessly switch between English and Spanish as though the two languages are one. Here’s the band breakdown: Maria Zardoya leads vocals, Edward James plays keys, Jesse Perlman is on bass, and Josh Conway plays the drums.

Their most recent release, Submarine, explores various genres and styles. The band played around with string arrangements, electronic beats and alluring vocals to create the ultimate breakup album. An album that helped both Maria and Josh transmute the pain of their own romantic split. Given this context, the lyrics in songs like Sienna and Lejos de Ti provide uniquely vulnerable glimpses into their relationship.

In addition, the album's aesthetics and cover art perfectly complement the themes explored in the songs; enveloped in cold hues of blue and white, the band visually depicts the overwhelming isolation of going through a breakup. If you, too, are grieving what could have been but isn’t, give Submarine a listen.

But if sad music isn’t what you’re looking for, fear not. The Maria’s is not all melodrama. I love listening to Un Millón and Otro Atardecer (their collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny) whenever I want to be transported to a warmer, more loving climate.

Want to know more about The Marias? Stalk them on Instagram here. Check out their website here. Or click here to learn more about their musical trajectory.

Daniel, Me Estás Matando - México City, México

Are you heartbroken? Suffering from unrequited feelings? Or perhaps love is in the air? Well, my friend, allow me to introduce you to Daniel, Me Estás Matando. This Mexican duo has songs for when you’re feeling infatuated, betrayed, enamoured, nostalgic… Indeed, they have songs tailored for love, heartbreak and everything in between.

Back in 2018, Daniel Zepeda and Iván de La Rioja started writing and recording Mexican boleros — but with a twist. When mixing their tracks, they added digital audio. The result?

Hopelessly romantic ballads with a sprinkling of funk. They call this style Boleroglam. I’ve been an enthusiastic Boleroglam fan since 2019, listening to their songs whenever I want to indulge in a bit of tragedy. Hence, they are an essential addition to my shower playlists. The duo’s dramatic lyrics transform my tiny bathroom into an ample stage, where a stoic love interest (my shampoo bottle) has torn my heart out for the last time.

I highly recommend their album Grandes Éxitos del Boleroglam Vol. 1. Honourable mentions include Sin Ti Ni Documentación and Arráncame.

Want to know more about Daniel, Me Estás Matando? Stalk their Instagram here. Or click here to learn more about their musical trajectory (Spanish Article).

Vicente García - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Originally from the Dominican Republic, this four-time Grammy Award winner has blessed the music industry with the lively sounds of the Caribbean. His most recent album, Puñito de Yocahú, is an exploration of his indigenous heritage and an unflinching reflection of the Dominican Republic’s history as a colonized nation. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, García described the sounds of this new album as a bridge between the past and the present, a mix of indigenous roots and modern-day electronic sounds.

The darkness, the cold, the relentless rain… My first couple of winters in Vancouver were nothing short of miserable. But six years in, I think I have worked out a routine: when the dreaded time change inevitably rolls around, I take vitamin D for my body, and I listen to Vicente’s music for my soul. His heartfelt reverence for nature is undeniable. I love how much he revels in the natural world, with vivid descriptions of the sea and the land often adorning his lyrics.

If your body is in need of irresistibly danceable beats, I recommend listening to his album A la Mar. I’ve also recently been enjoying Mambo Violento and Ahí Ahí. These two songs are doing an excellent job at keeping my seasonal affective disorder at bay.

Want to know more about Vicente García? Stalk him on Instagram here. Check out his website here. Or click here to learn more about his musical trajectory.

Laura Itandehui - Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico

When I first discovered Laura Itandehui, I could not for the life of me place her nationality. Her masterful exploration of various Hispanic rhythms, such as cumbia, salsa, and boleros, piqued my interest. In which Latin American country did her poetic sensibilities sprout? Where does her wonderful voice hail from? The answer, of course, is Mexico.

Born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Laura Itandehui is a singer-songwriter whose work threads together traditional Latin American sounds with folk and jazz, creating a beautiful tapestry of melodies. Her warm voice is the product of a lifelong relationship with music, which first sparked when four-year-old Laura learned to play the violin. Her most recent release, Si Me Ven Alegre, is both a deeply joyous celebration of relationships and a playful diatribe against unrequited love.

Itandehui’s song Yo No Necesito de Mucho wonderfully highlights her musical talent, with her entrancing voice and the rhythmic beats of two wooden sticks being the only sounds heard in the track. When I listen to Laura, I’m struck by the ease with which her songs evoke long-forgotten memories. I see myself lying out in the relentless Colombian sun, enjoying the simple pleasure of feeling the afternoon breeze caress my face.

Want to know more about Laura Itandehui? Stalk her on Instagram here. Check out her website here. Or click here to learn more about her musical trajectory.

¿Téo? - Antioquia, Colombia / Atlanta, USA

Born in Atlanta to Colombian parents, Mateo Arias - also known by his stage name, ¿Téo? - grew up as a child actor. The younger brother of Moises Arias (the beloved Rico on Hannah Montana), Mateo himself starred in Disney’s 2011 series Kickin’ It. Since his television days, Téo has dedicated himself to music, self-funding his entire discography.

His songs are what he calls “Neo-American”, a genre-bending style that mixes reggaetón, hip-hop, Brazilian Bossa Nova, and R&B. I first discovered his music in the Spring of 2021, when I was celebrating the return of the sunshine with a long afternoon walk. As I made my way around my neighbourhood park, I remember stopping dead in my tracks the second I heard the beat to Buzzed. In this song, Téo’s airy vocals are backgrounded by a delightfully playful bossa nova tune.

His 2021 album titled Sol, has worked its way into my Spring equinox rituals, when I cultivate a carefree attitude for the warmer months of the year. But Spring is not the only appropriate time to play Téo’s music. His most recent album, titled Luna, contrasts his earlier discography, offering audiences more sensual lyrics and rhythms.

If you are interested in setting the scene for a night out, I would recommend o my god, a track heavily influenced by the lively beats of Brazilian Funk.

And if you, like me, were astounded by Téo’s musical gymnastics - that is, his ability to jump from chill Bossa Nova to heavy perreo - just wait, because it gets better. His interpretation of Bésame Mucho, a popular Mexican ballad, solidifies him as a true musical talent. His low voice and the swelling violins perfectly capture the song’s emotional duality: being enraptured by love, all while fearing its disappearance.

Want to know more about Téo? Stalk him on Instagram here. Check out his website here. Or click here to learn more about his musical trajectory.

Así Suena: A Curated List of Hispanic Artists