During the pandemic lockdowns, a group of Mission District musicians formed a “germ pod” to combat the stifling loneliness and fear of the unknown. From this collective came Inti Mystica, a band dedicated to transforming solitude into survival and resistance through art.
Now an eight-member powerhouse, Inti Mystica is set to perform on Sunday, December 8 at The Chapel as part of the 43rd annual Encuentro del Canto Popular. This performance marks a milestone for the group, whose music reflects the struggles and triumphs of navigating the urban immigrant experience in San Francisco.
A fusion of tradition and rebellion
Inti Mystica’s sound is like the sun breaking through a foggy day: warm, vibrant, and electrifying. Their music blends traditional genres with rock, bomba, cumbia, hip-hop, punk, and “psychedelic vibrations.” It’s a bilingual, bicultural conversation between past and present, tradition and rebellion. Their songs don’t just make you move — they make you feel.
“We want to inspire people with raw emotions, make them feel seen and understood,” says lead singer Andreína Limón. “Our music offers healing—a way to reconnect with yourself, your creativity, and your community.”
Limón emphasizes that Inti Mystica’s songs capture the full spectrum of human emotion. “Our songs are as much about mourning as they are about joy. We want to create a space where it’s okay to feel it all. Art is resistance, a tool for change, and we hope our music offers both.”
Performance as ceremony
While their recorded output is modest, their Bandcamp profile features heartfelt tracks that pair raw emotion with stripped-down simplicity. Their YouTube channel highlights ceremonial performances that double as art installations, such as their rendition of “Madrecita” at MCCLA’s 2022 Day of the Dead celebration and “Rezo,” a prayer for the Earth. Their music honors land and ancestors, reflecting a broader movement to re-indigenize Latinidad.
The band’s lineup spans countries and cultures, bringing diverse talents to the mix: Alberto Rodríguez and Andreína “Nina Limón” (Venezuela); Arturo “Suavecito” Méndez (Mexico); Ilia Correa Sepúlveda (Puerto Rico); Kachucho (Chile); Lenel Guzmán (Venezuela/Mexico); Lucha Obregón (Guatemala); and Raúl Grayson (San Francisco).
Music for a movement
In a time of heightened attacks against Latino immigrants, Inti Mystica’s music uplifts the soul and mental health of a community under siege. Their lyrics, rooted in lived experiences as immigrants and community advocates, empower their songs as vehicles for change. With a vision of resilience and solidarity, Inti Mystica reminds us that art is not just expression — it’s survival.
Inti Mystica will perform in San Francisco on December 8, 2024, at The Chapel during Acción Latina’s 43rd annual Encuentro del Canto Popular. Tickets are available at cantopopular.eventbrite.com.