As any artist will attest, exploring new places has a powerful effect on the creative process. For Colombian singer-songwriter Ela Taubert, it gives her a sense of perspective on her life and experiences that translates into her music. “I love driving to places I’ve never been,” she notes. “It helps me get inspired and understand other cultures, other stories, people, and things in my life, too. It reminds me of specific moments in my life and helps me portray the things I’ve experienced in my songs.”
Born and raised in Bogotá, Ela was encouraged to explore music by her mother. She gained early attention by anonymously posting cover videos during the pandemic, which highlighted her authentic voice and emotional delivery. She drew inspiration from global figures like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Miley Cyrus, weaving confessional storytelling into her music and capturing universal feelings of heartbreak, self-discovery, and empowerment.
Ela’s 2023 debut EP, “¿Quién Dijo Que Era Fácil?” laid the groundwork for her breakout, but it was the viral single “¿Cómo Pasó?” she dropped in February 2024 that launched her onto the global stage. With over 100 million Spotify streams and a bilingual remix with Joe Jonas, it soared to No. 12 on Billboard Latin Pop Airplay. In 2024, she brought home the Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist, a testament to her explosive debut in the Latin music industry
Today, Ela’s introspective Latin-pop style fuses heartfelt lyricism with polished indie-pop production, courtesy of notable collaborators like Max Martin. Personal evolution is a consistent thread throughout Ela’s work, inspired by a lifelong fascination with butterflies. “The butterfly is special to me for so many reasons,” she explains. “ I was born and raised in Colombia, in the land of butterflies, as they call it. And as I grew up, I found butterflies in incredible places. I kind of understood that if I saw the butterfly, it was because it was where I should be, and it was the right path. That’s a message I want to share with the people who listen to me—that changes are necessary to bring out the best version of you.”
We caught up with Ela in Chicago at Sueños Festival, where she was performing on the Toyota Music Den Stage, before hitting the road in a Toyota Land Cruiser to take in the city sights. It was only fitting to end the day at the Butterfly House on Navy Pier, where she got up close and personal with one of nature’s most intriguing creatures.
With her Latin Grammy win, festival performances, and viral resonance, Ela is not only a rising Latina talent but a burgeoning global pop storyteller. Expect more heartfelt lyrics, captivating live shows, and more cross-cultural collaborations as Ela—true to form—continues evolving.
Sounds of the Road showcases behind-the-scenes moments and candid conversations with some of the country’s most exciting new artists. In Season 6, we explore three iconic destinations with three emerging artists: Austin with husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty; Los Angeles with indie-pop-meets-folk-rock singer Joy Oladokun; and Chicago with Latin Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Ela Taubert.
