Country Music Has More Than One Language | MŌRIAH
Country music and mariachi might come from opposite sides of a border, but MŌRIAH doesn't see them as worlds that need to be kept apart.
When she joined Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2025, the Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress and producer was building a place for both inside her music.
Her bilingual debut country single “Hasta Mañana” brought together mariachi musicians from Juarez, Mexico, with Nashville session players — creating a sound rooted just as deeply in her family's heritage as it is in country music.
MŌRIAH during her Heart of the Gulch interview at CMA Fest in Nashville.
Inside MŌRIAH’s Heart of the Gulch Interview
Welcome to Heart of the Gulch, a Nashville-based interview show and country music platform featuring artists, singer-songwriters and personalities shaping music and entertainment. Host and creator Tony Mendoza sat down with MŌRIAH during CMA Fest to discuss “Hasta Mañana,” her Mexican-American heritage, Latin country music and why representation inside Nashville's writing rooms matters.
Where Mariachi Meets Country
MŌRIAH grew up in a Mexican-American family in California where mariachi, regional Mexican music and country were simply part of life.
That upbringing became the foundation for “Hasta Mañana,” her first Latin-country release. Produced by Paul Mabury, the song combines mariachi musicians from Juarez with Nashville country players and was released in both English and Spanish.
Billboard praised the combination of her country sound and mariachi influence, while The Tennessean highlighted her as one of the artists bringing a strong Latin influence into country music.
Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza interviewing MŌRIAH during CMA Fest.
Making Space in Nashville
MŌRIAH's story isn't only about combining genres.
During our conversation, she opened up about diversity inside Nashville's songwriting rooms and what it means to create space for perspectives that haven't always been represented in mainstream country music.
That mission helped earn her recognition as one of CMT's Next Women of Country, alongside her work as an actress, producer, songwriter and recording artist.
Music Has No Borders
MŌRIAH discussing “Hasta Mañana” and the combination of country and mariachi in her music.
One phrase sits at the heart of MŌRIAH's approach to music: La música no tiene fronteras — music has no borders.
They are words passed down from her grandfather, and they perfectly describe what she's building.
Los Angeles, Mexico and Nashville don't have to exist separately in her music. They're all part of the same story.
Watch MŌRIAH on Heart of the Gulch
Watch our full conversation with MŌRIAH as she discusses “Hasta Mañana,” her Mexican-American heritage, Latin country music, cultural representation and finding her place in Nashville.
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, singer-songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
