Mëstiza Talk Coachella Debut and Feeling Eager to ‘Open Doors for Women Starting Out in Electronic Music’
The arrival of Mëstiza at Coachella this Sunday (April 12) caps a pivotal week for the Spanish duo, coinci...
The arrival of Mëstiza at Coachella this Sunday (April 12) caps a pivotal week for the Spanish duo, coinciding with the release of their sophomore album, Spanish Chica, which dropped on Friday (April 10).
Mëstiza — the only women act from Spain on the Indio, Calif. festival lineup this year — is comprised of DJs Pitty Bernad and Belah, who joined forces in 2021 and have independently developed the project under their own label, Sacro. Their electronic music is deeply rooted in flamenco and traditional Spanish sounds.
“We realized there wasn’t a concept that matched our music and that was connected to our tradition,” Belah tells Billboard Español. “Mëstiza means mix. We want people to feel connected to their roots when they’re on the dance floor.” She adds, “If we can somehow open doors for so many women starting out in electronic music and support them by setting an example, it would be a dream come true.”
With that foundation, the project has evolved into something more expansive. Music, visuals, storytelling and performance coexist in a single package. “It’s not just music; it’s a 360-degree project,” she adds. “People aren’t just meant to listen — they’re meant to see and feel.”
Fashion plays a key role in shaping that vision. Both come from that world — Belah from fine arts and styling, and Pitty from communication and image — and they oversee much of the project’s aesthetic. On stage, their wardrobe doesn’t just complement the performance, it’s an integral part of the story they’re telling.
Spanish Chica marks a shift from the duo’s first album, Quëreles (2023), which leaned more on instrumental elements and a direct interpretation of flamenco. Their second effort moves toward a more club-oriented sound. “It’s more electronic, darker, more dance-floor-driven,” explains Belah. “The previous one was more traditional.”
The new record also introduces fresh sonic influences, incorporating Arab, African and Oriental elements — also deeply embedded in the history of flamenco. Tracks like “Enamorá,” “Báilame” and “Salam” reflect this approach.
The album’s title stems from a simple idea: Spanish Chica doesn’t just define an identity but an attitude. “It’s someone who knows where they come from but brings it into the present without fear,” Belah explains. The term emerged during their tours, inspired by how audiences started referring to them. “They would call us ‘the Spanish chicas’… and it stuck.”
This concept also extends beyond their music. Sacro — their label and party concept — was born in Madrid, expanded to Ibiza and eventually brought their vision to cities like Tulum, London, Miami and Dubai.
That growth has now led them to stages like Coachella, where they’re performing this and next Sunday as part of a lineup headlined for the first time by a woman Latin artist: Colombian superstar Karol G.
“We’re so excited to share the with Karol G, whom we admire so much,” Belah says.
The invitation came out of nowhere. There was no pitch or strategy behind it; one day, it simply arrived. “ reached out to us. It was a huge surprise,” says the artist, adding, “To make it to a festival like Coachella as independent artists was a dream that initially felt unimaginable.”
As part of their set, the DJ reveals that the stage will feature flamenco dancers and a traditional flamenco ensemble, but refrains from sharing more details. “It’s going to be something unique that can only be expressed if you’ve grown up with or understand Spanish culture,” she says.
After Coachella, Mëstiza will continue touring with stops in Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Chicago. On May 9, they’ll present Spanish Chica in Paris, performing from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower — a milestone Belah describes as “one of our biggest dreams.” Later, on May 31, they’ll kick off an extended residency at Hï Ibiza, where they’re scheduled to play through October 4.
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