Sisterhood and Sound: The Tiarras on Empowerment, Heritage, and the Journey Ahead
Left to Right: The Tiarras: Tori, Sophia, and Tiffany Baltierra,
The Tiarras, a band of sisters, infuse their music with the vibrant pulse of their heritage, wearing it like a badge of honor.
Introducing The Tiarras: Tori, Sophia, and Tiffany Baltierra, three talented sisters whose dynamic blend of music and culture is making waves. Together, they craft a unique sound that reflects their shared heritage and passion for empowering others through their art.
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, these sisters have spent the past decade showcasing their talent, performing at countless shows, with notable stops in San Antonio, Austin, and beyond. As they travel between shows, the trio keeps their energy up by fueling up on sparkling water, jalapeño chips, and Buc-ee's club sandwiches, turning their road trips into mini-adventures. They laugh and share stories while munching on their favorite snacks, creating memories that strengthen their bond. Each meal becomes a moment of connection, adding a dash of fun to their busy schedule as they prepare for their next performance. I had the amazing opportunity to interview these talented band of sisters as we delved into their journey.
Curious about their origins, I asked how the band got its start. Tori, the lead singer and guitarist, eagerly shared their story. “Well, the origins of The Tiarras started very long ago as children,” she expressed. “Our parents were very invested in all kinds of music. We had music playing all the time. Our dad was a DJ when we were kids, so we would go to those private gigs, those weddings, those Quinceañera, and kind of witness music in its full form.”
Tori recalled how they witnessed people coming together at these events—-crying, dancing, laughing, and feeling waves of nostalgia. The sisters were captivated by the emotions music stirred. Later on, the sisters started finding their own rhythm. “Sophia was always kind of percussive as a child, making rhythms and smacking her lips to a beat or little things like that, that were natural to her.” Tori went on to share how their musical journey began. Their parents enrolled Sophia in percussion lessons, while their sister Tiffany was learning piano from their grandmother. For Tori, she developed an interest in guitar at around eight years old. The seeds of their band were being planted even then. The trio initially took separate lessons but soon began playing together at home, learning as a group. They tackled a mix of pop songs, classics, and rock covers, gradually finding their rhythm as a band. The sisters soon began writing their own music and performing at family gatherings, turning these intimate events into their first stages.
“I think our parents saw that we had something very special,” Tori says, her grin shining through the Zoom call. “We were very cohesive and able to perform together really well, obviously because we're sisters, but there was a spark that they really noticed.” From there, their mother, along with their dad, began booking shows for the girls, helping to launch their musical journey to the next level. Their father supported their budding talent by selling his DJ equipment to buy them new gear. With that, the ball started rolling, and their performances began at a young age.
As their talent grew, so did their musical style. “It's always hard to describe what our genre is, but we kind of go for alternative indie Latin because of just all the influences that we've had growing up,” Tori says. She confessed that many people have said if Selena and Chris had a child, it would be her. As for her sister, Sophia, she’s often compared to Sheila E. Tori shared, “A lot of those Latin rock rhythms and vibes is what inspires us, along with artists like Gwen Stefani, Selena—we can find traces of anyone we grew up listening to in our music. From Tejano and cumbia to reggaeton, rock, pop, and even indie from the Tumblr era, it all seeps into us.”
Sophia then chimed in, explaining their songwriting process. She shared that Tori usually takes the lead by coming up with the lyrics and guitar parts, setting the foundation for their songs. “She'll bring it (the song) to us and the great thing about being sisters is that we're very comfortable with telling each other our opinions. So that sort of helps us lead to the best path for the song.” Sophia mentioned that Tori brings her ideas to the table, and each sister adds her unique spin to the song, resulting in a collaborative and dynamic creative process.
With the support of their producer, Michael Ramos, the songwriting process has become a breeze for them. Each song they create is distinct, showcasing their diverse influences and styles. Sophia explained that whether they're crafting an emotional ballad or a track designed for dancing, they always consider how it will sound live while writing. This approach helps them create music that resonates with their audience. As they write, the trio reflects on what the song means to them personally, allowing their individual experiences and emotions to shape the music they create. From feelings of inspiration to powerful lyrics, they create room for new ideas, embracing the possibilities that lie ahead in their songwriting journey.
““It's very sacred to show it (songwriting) to my sisters. And just let them know how we can make this better. Sometimes they'll be brought to tears because it's almost like therapy, like I'm sharing a part of myself with them that I wasn't able to put into words,” Tori adds. “They know that I've been dealing with something and they're like, oh, we feel this too because we're all sisters and we're connected and our brainwaves and this is a gift for me to process what I'm going through too.”
~Tori Baltierra
Sophia continued, telling me that songwriting is a deeply special process for them, and crafting the lyrics can often be an intense experience. “It's very sacred to show it (songwriting) to my sisters. And just let them know how we can make this better. Sometimes they'll be brought to tears because it's almost like therapy, like I'm sharing a part of myself with them that I wasn't able to put into words,” Tori adds. “They know that I've been dealing with something and they're like, oh, we feel this too because we're all sisters and we're connected and our brainwaves and this is a gift for me to process what I'm going through too.”
They hope to reach people with their powerful messages in their original songs like “Let Love Free.” A song that was inspired by Tori’s experience of coming out, capturing the emotions and journey of that significant moment in her life. “It was right after I came out to my grandmother and I felt inspired to write this song about the freedom of love and just letting love free,” Tori says. “It was very therapeutic for me.” Once it was released, Tori shared that many people told her the song inspired them to embrace their feelings and relax their shoulders. Seeing someone like herself—a young Mexican American Latina singing about being queer—while everyone danced to it created a sense of unity that was incredibly powerful. She even shared a touching story about a 13-year-old girl who loved the song and had attended their shows. The girl's father reached out to the trio, expressing his gratitude for "Let Love Free." He shared that the song helped his daughter open up a conversation with him about her feelings, which meant a lot to him.
As the sisters dive into their songwriting process, they also explore how their heritage profoundly influences their music, weaving their cultural identity into every note and lyric. “Well, I think because we're fourth-generation Mexican American and I feel like our music has also definitely helped us to kind of connect more with the Mexican side of our heritage,” Tiffany says. Growing up, the sisters were inspired by artists from their generation who explored Spanglish music and embraced dual backgrounds, like Cuco and Kali Uchis. This blend of languages and cultures resonated with them and influenced their own approach to music. Tiffany adds on, “I think that's kind of also why we also incorporate Spanish because we're not fluent, but we're learning and we love to play Havana and Selena's music.”
Despite their musical success and cultural pride, the sisters have faced unique challenges as Latinas in the music industry, navigating both gender and cultural barriers along the way. As young girls, they often weren't taken seriously by others, a hurdle they had to push through. However, their parents encouraged them to keep going, helping them prove the doubters wrong as they continued to perform and grow as artists. “It just felt like we didn't belong. But over and over again…it's good that we had each other 'cause we kept each other motivated,” Tori says. “I think that that was one of the biggest struggles that we had in the beginning.” Now, the trio have found their voice and understand the importance of creating a comfortable space for younger artists on the lineup, offering the support they never had. It's like a torch being passed down, as they empower the next generation of musicians. They faced other challenges too, including balancing their work and personal lives. "It was very odd to go to school, have practice—marching band or soccer practice—and then go play some really cool shows on the weekend," Tori shared.
As for future plans, The Tiarras have a big one coming sooner rather than later, “Yeah, we are releasing a song the weekend of ACL (Austin City Limits). We're working on an album right now,” Sophia shares excitedly with her sisters. The Tiarras will be performing at Austin City Limits on Saturday, October 12, at noon on Tito’s Stage. Following that, they’ll be traveling to Minnesota in mid-October, staying busy as they continue their exciting musical journey. “We're super excited to release new music and enter this new era and keep on connecting with everyone inside and outside of Austin.”
For these sisters, their lyrics shine as they explore their Mexican American heritage, especially in their song "Soy Chingona," which celebrates female empowerment. While the term “chingona” is often used as a negative stereotype for Latinas, The Tiarras have reclaimed it in a powerful and uplifting way. “Soy Chingona came from the time where we started being introduced to a lot of Latina-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and musicians. We heard this word, chingona being said in conversations and being used in merch, and we kind of were exploring what it was.” The sisters were intrigued as they learned about the history behind the word “chingona”. They even had conversations with their family about their experiences with the word, which sparked interesting insights. “We felt this urge to kind of jump onto that reclamation movement with our own talents of music,” Tori says. “At the time we were exploring how we could join up with a lot of different organizations to promote voting and empowerment within the youth.”
In a world where the term "chingona" has often been used to stereotype Latinas negatively, the sisters boldly reclaim the word, turning it into a symbol of strength, pride, and unapologetic self-confidence. Through this song, they celebrate female empowerment and the resilience of their Mexican American heritage, encouraging women to embrace their power and break free from societal expectations.
Interviewing The Tiarras was an inspiring glimpse into the heart of a band that seamlessly blends heritage, empowerment, and sisterhood. Their journey from young girls performing at family gatherings to rising stars in the music world reflects not only their talent but also their resilience in the face of challenges. From reclaiming cultural identity in songs like "Soy Chingona" to creating spaces for the next generation of artists, The Tiarras are using their platform to lift others up. As they continue to evolve, their passion for their craft and community shines through, proving that their music is not just a reflection of who they are but also a voice for those who need it most.
