Tiffany, Sophia and Tori Baltierra of The Tiarras went viral on TikTok after posting their rendition of “La Negra Tomasa” by Caifanes in a psychedelic, cumbia guitar riff. The video garnered nearly 400,000 views and has since taken the Austin band’s fanbase to new heights.
The sisters are an award-winning, Latina band breaking boundaries and empowering others through a unique, eclectic style of music. Inspired by their Mexican-American roots, the trio’s genre-defying sound is a vibrant fuse of cumbia, reggae, indie and more.
Formerly the Tiarra Girls, The Tiarras got their start in music at a young age. They were exposed to a wide variety of songs from their father, Hector Baltierra, who was a DJ.
“We were each taking lessons privately and separately,” Tori said. “Then one day we were all just like, Hey, we have instruments that kind of go well with the band, so maybe we should start playing songs together and learning music together.”
Tori is the lead singer, while Tiffany plays bass guitar and Sophia jams on the drums. Harmonizing together and feeding off each other’s energy during shows is what they say makes them an even stronger group.
“It’s beautiful to be with my sisters and know that they’re always there to support me and we’re always there to love one another and connect through music no matter what,” Tori said.
Along with their notorious covers, The Tiarras also write and record songs together that stem from their Mexican-American heritage and famous Latin artist influences.
“We started to implement more like cumbia, some Spanish lyrics, and it kind of shaped it into what we play now, which is like a variety mix of everything,” Tori said. “Artists that inspire us are, of course, Selena – whether it be fashion, music or just her essence, really – just like raised us in a way. People say that we sound like if No Doubt and Selena and Santana like all went into the studio and started writing together.”
The sisters’ music integrates themes like social advancement, unity and identity. Their latest singles, “Soy Chingona” and “Let Love Free” are two of their favorites because of the powerful meaning behind each song.
“I like ‘Let Love Free,'” Tiffany said. “It’s Tori’s coming out song, but her lyrics, whenever she brought it to us, like she explained how it can relate to lots of other people’s lives. Every time she’s singing and I’m like, backup singing along with her, it just makes me reflect on love and what love means to me.”
