AUSTIN, Texas — A bold voice in Texas music is stepping into the spotlight. Houston-born and Austin-based artist Andrea Daniela is preparing to release her debut album while bringing a fresh fusion of sound and culture to audiences across the state.
Andrea Daniela joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her upcoming album, and what fans can expect next.
Andrea Daniela joined Sierra Waggoner and Trevor Scott on We Are Austin to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her upcoming album, and what fans can expect next.
“I was born and raised in Houston, and Texas is such a melting pot of cultures,” Daniela said. “It’s a very diverse city, and I’m definitely a result of all that diversity. I’ve been doing mariachi since I was 11 years old, and I’ve always been immersed in all kinds of music. I really wanted to bring all those worlds together and create a sound that’s unique to my experience.”
Her debut album, Mariachi Mestiza y Mala Mujer, drops March 13 and reflects Daniela’s powerful blend of identity, storytelling, and musical influences. She shared that the project draws deeply from her roots while embracing a bold, modern perspective.
Her debut album, Mariachi Mestiza y Mala Mujer, drops March 13 and reflects Daniela’s powerful blend of identity, storytelling, and musical influences. She shared that the project draws deeply from her roots while embracing a bold, modern perspective.
“You can definitely expect the unexpected,” Daniela said. “The album blends mariachi with cumbia, and some songs mix in funk, R&B, hip-hop, and even indie influences. I wanted to take mariachi and combine it with all these different genres to create a bold new sound.”
“I chose the name of the album because I wanted to reclaim my identity as a Mexican-American woman,” Daniela said. “Mariachi music has been a part of me since I was very young. ‘Mestiza’ refers to someone with both Indigenous and Spanish heritage, and mariachi itself is a result of those cultures coming together. I wanted to embrace the power of that identity. And ‘Mala Mujer’ means ‘bad woman.’ Sometimes society sees women as ‘bad’ if we have opinions or choose a different path in life. If going after my dreams and not doing things the traditional way makes me a bad woman, then I guess I’m a bad woman.”
“We’re having the official album release party on March 11 at The Cathedral, which is a Latina-owned art gallery,” Daniela said. “I’m really excited to celebrate this next chapter. And performing during South by Southwest is such a dream for any artist. I feel like I manifested it. I’ll actually be doing two showcases — on March 14 and March 18.”
One of the things that sets Daniela apart is her genre-blending sound. Her music weaves together traditional mariachi elements with contemporary influences, creating a style that honors heritage while pushing the boundaries of modern Texas music.
“You can definitely expect the unexpected,” Daniela said. “The album blends mariachi with cumbia, and some songs mix in funk, R&B, hip-hop, and even indie influences. I wanted to take mariachi and combine it with all these different genres to create a bold new sound.”
In addition to her solo career, Daniela is also the founder of Houston’s first all-female mariachi band — an initiative that helped create space for women in a genre historically dominated by men.
“There was definitely a gap in the market,” Daniela said. “In 2023, I had just finished a tour with the San Antonio Public Theater in a musical called American Mariachi. I played the character Lucia, who starts an all-female mariachi band in the 1970s. After the show ended, I went back to Houston feeling so inspired, and I realized Houston didn’t actually have an all-female mariachi band yet. So I called all my girlfriends — we were all the only women in male-dominated mariachi groups — and said, ‘We need to make this happen.’ I’m so grateful because even after I moved to Austin, the group is still flourishing. The girls perform for the Texans and the Astros and are doing amazing things.”
With the album release just around the corner, Daniela is gearing up for a busy season, including a release celebration and performances during South by Southwest.
In addition to her solo career, Daniela is also the founder of Houston’s first all-female mariachi band — an initiative that helped create space for women in a genre historically dominated by men.
“We’re having the official album release party on March 11 at The Cathedral, which is a Latina-owned art gallery,” Daniela said. “I’m really excited to celebrate this next chapter. And performing during South by Southwest is such a dream for any artist. I feel like I manifested it. I’ll actually be doing two showcases — on March 14 and March 18.”
“We’re having the official album release party on March 11 at The Cathedral, which is a Latina-owned art gallery,” Daniela said. “I’m really excited to celebrate this next chapter. And performing during South by Southwest is such a dream for any artist. I feel like I manifested it. I’ll actually be doing two showcases — on March 14 and March 18.”
Fans can keep up with Andrea Daniela’s latest music, performances, and upcoming shows by visiting andreadaniela.com or following her on social media.
Fans can keep up with Andrea Daniela’s latest music, performances, and upcoming shows by visiting andreadaniela.com or following her on social media.