Andrea Béjar is an artist of dualities—a bicultural singer-songwriter whose musical identity effortlessly merges modern indie-folk with her roots, she innately flows between the borders of tradition and innovation, English and Spanish, past and present. Born in Mexico City, Andrea’s sound is an eclectic mosaic of influences, combining the depth of Mexican folk traditions with the accessibility of modern pop. Her voice and lyrics reflect her journey as she navigates the intersections of identity and artistry.
For the Mexican American singer-songwriter, singing is not as much a desire as it is a compulsion. One scroll through her social media accounts tells this story: there’s Andrea imitating Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” to near flawless execution or delivering an acapella of “Understand” by Keshi. Her nonchalant performances taunt listeners with how effortlessly she is able to paint a work of art through her emotions. Singing, for Béjar, is simply instinctual.
Her single “Despierto” has reached multi-million streams on digital platforms and serves as a testament to her creative evolution. Written on a whim during a plane ride, it captures the raw emotion and spontaneity that has come to define her work. Most recently, her debut EP “Stained Glass” shares an intimate side of an artist in evolution, transforming emotions into art before our eyes. Andrea opened up with us about her creative process, cultural influences, and how she stays authentic in a world that constantly pulls artists in different directions.
TIGRE SOUNDS: How has your bicultural background influenced the way you approach music?
ANDREA BEJAR: My cultural background influences not only my music but everything in my life. With music, being able to write in both Spanish and English gives me a lot more freedom and creativity. Honestly, it’s just more fun. Writing in Spanish, though, has a “cringe meter” that’s different from English. For example, there are some lines in Spanish that hit well, but in English, they don’t translate the same.
TIGRE SOUNDS: How does your Mexican heritage shape your sound and the means you explore in music?
ANDREA BEJAR: My Mexican heritage influences everything I do. Even though I grew up in Miami, I feel more connected to Mexico. I love listening to Mexican folk artists like Natalia Lafourcade and Eugenia León. Incorporating Latin-inspired instruments—even in songs written in English—helps ground my sound and connect it to my roots.
TIGRE SOUNDS: How does it feel to have grown up in Miami with Mexican roots?
ANDREA BEJAR: I’m grateful to have grown up in Miami. It’s a melting pot of cultures, and I felt I could embrace my Mexican identity while also being introduced to so many other influences. It allowed me to explore different cultural sounds and still stay true to who I am.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your voice is so versatile. How do you develop your ability to switch between genres and languages?
ANDREA BEJAR: It feels natural to me because I’ve grown up speaking both English and Spanish. Moving between the two gives me more range to express myself. Here in Miami, it’s common to blend languages in everyday conversation, so it feels like second nature in my music as well.
TIGRE SOUNDS: In what ways do you feel your music bridges Mexican folk sounds with modern pop?
ANDREA BEJAR: I think it’s in the instrumentation and melodies. For instance, I might use a nylon-string guitar for warmth in an English song or lean into Latin-inspired rhythms for a Spanish track. It’s fun to blend those elements and create something that feels unique.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your single “Despierto” has reached incredible heights. What was the creative process like and what makes this song so special?
ANDREA BEJAR: “Despierto” is special because it reignited my love for songwriting. I stumbled upon some old chords I had recorded and ended up writing the first verse and chorus during a flight. It just poured out of me, and for the first time, writing felt effortless instead of stressful.
TIGRE SOUNDS: How do you balance the different cultural influences in your music without feeling pulled in too many directions?
ANDREA BEJAR: I’ve never felt the need to fit into a specific box. Growing up in such a culturally rich place like Miami and having a welcoming family taught me to follow what feels authentic. My music serves my own voice first, and I let it evolve naturally.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in finding your artistic identity?
ANDREA BEJAR: At the beginning, I was trying to emulate artists like Billie Eilish, whom I love, but it didn’t feel true to me. When I started incorporating more natural instruments and Latin sounds, everything clicked. That’s when I really started to feel like myself.
TIGRE SOUNDS: What are you excited to explore in your future projects?
ANDREA BEJAR: I’d love to dive deeper into traditional Spanish music, like boleros. I’m inspired by artists like Agustín Lara and want to explore that emotional depth in my own way.
TIGRE SOUNDS: The holidays are a time for community. If you had a wishlist of three musicians you could bring together and bundle in a session, who would they be?
ANDREA BEJAR: The holidays always inspire new music because it’s time with my family. My family always inspires me and my music in every way. Whether that’s Christmas in Miami, Christmas in Mexico, this year we’re spending it in LA, it’s all about family. The one memory that I always go back to is on the 24th right before opening presents, we always listen to Los Peces en el Rio. So every time I listen to that song it instantly brings me back to family and Christmas and holidays. I feel like the holidays always bring people together regardless so if I could bundle three artists together it would probably be Natalia Lafourcade, Hozier and Stevie Nicks. That would be the craziest collab ever.
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TIGRE SOUNDS: How do you hope your music resonates with listeners?
ANDREA BEJAR: I want my music to connect with people on a personal level, no matter their background. It’s about creating something authentic that speaks to the soul.
Andrea Bejar’s journey is a testament to the power of authenticity and cultural fusion possible in music and identity. Through her exploration of bilingual songwriting and her dedication to honoring her roots, she’s crafting a sound that is as personal as it is universal. As she continues to grow and evolve as an artist, Andrea reminds us that music is not just a reflection of who we are but a bridge that connects us to something greater and can inspire others to connect themselves. We invite you to immerse yourself in Andrea Bejar’s debut EP, Stained Glass, and keep an eye out for her upcoming projects as she delves even deeper into a flourishing celebration of duality, culture and connectivity.
All photos by Mary Beth Koeth