Beyond Nashville – Guatemala

Sara Curruchich

Sara Curruchich is widely regarded as Guatemala’s most prominent voice in contemporary folk music, and while her sound leans more toward Latin American trova and indigenous styles, her use of storytelling and acoustic instrumentation places her firmly in the lineage of global country and folk traditions. 

Hailing from San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, Curruchich is of Maya Kaqchikel heritage and sings in both Spanish and Kaqchikel. Her music often touches on themes of indigenous identity, social justice, and cultural pride—subjects that echo country music’s deep roots in community and personal struggle. Songs like Ralk’wal Ulew (Daughter of the Earth) and Resistiré resonate with the same heartfelt sincerity and sense of place found in the works of artists like Emmylou Harris or Gillian Welch. 

Though her instrumentation—often featuring acoustic guitar, marimba, and hand drums—differs from Nashville’s steel-string twang, the emotional core of her work would be familiar to any Americana listener. With performances at international festivals and collaborations with Latin and world music artists, Curruchich is steadily earning a global following, proving that folk traditions, whether Appalachian or Mayan, speak a common language. 

El Gordo

Known offstage as Carlos Mendoza, El Gordo blends Guatemalan storytelling with Americana aesthetics, delivering introspective folk-country tracks marked by fingerpicked guitar, mellow vocals, and rustic lyricism. While his production style is lo-fi and stripped down, the emotional depth of his music resonates in much the same way as classic outlaw country. 

El Gordo’s 2021 EP Caminos Viejos (Old Roads) reflects themes of longicountryng, family, and wandering—a spiritual kin to the road-weary poetry of Townes Van Zandt or Blaze Foley. His lyrics often draw from the rural landscapes and generational complexities of Guatemala’s highlands, rendered in Spanish but with melodies rooted in Western folk idioms. 

Though not yet a household name even within Guatemala, El Gordo represents a growing movement of independent singer-songwriters who look beyond local pop norms to explore global folk traditions. He’s a staple in underground music gatherings and folk nights in Guatemala City and Antigua, and his music continues to quietly build a cross-border appeal among Latin folk aficionados and Americana purists alike. 

Kin

Kin is a bilingual folk-rock band based in Antigua, Guatemala, known for weaving bluegrass textures with Central American narratives. Their name, meaning “sun” in several Mayan dialects, reflects their commitment to cultural fusion and warmth in songwriting. 

Formed by siblings Pablo and Camila Ruiz, Kin’s sound draws heavily on Appalachian acoustic traditions—banjo, fiddle, and upright bass are common fixtures in their live sets. Their 2023 single Montañas y Sueños (Mountains and Dreams) offers lush harmonies and pastoral imagery that could just as easily emerge from the hills of Kentucky as the highlands of Guatemala. 

While Kin’s lyrics toggle between English and Spanish, their themes are universal—dreams of escape, family burdens, and the push-pull of tradition and modernity. Their fusion of local heritage with Americana structures is both respectful and inventive. The band has opened for regional acts across Central America and is currently planning a tour that includes dates in Mexico and Colombia. 

To read the full article, see our last issue here.

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