School of Music

The past and the future live side-by-side in the deeply personal love music from Los Angeles-based singer and guitarist San Cha. Born Lizette Gutierrez, San Cha is a musical rebel in every way, even down to her stage name, a play on the Spanish word “san,” which means saint, and “sancha,” which translates to mistress. San Cha’s powerful voice, larger-than-life stage persona, and moving lyrics—which she sings in both English and Spanish—are rooted in authentic storytelling, connecting her to her Mexican heritage while serving as a tool for creative introspection. A native of San Jose, Calif., the singer moved to Los Angeles nearly four years ago at the insistence of friends, and she has already found a fan base and kinship within LA’s vibrant community of queer Latinx creatives.

Inspired to pursue music professionally after joining a church choir at the age of 12, a career in music was always in the card for San Cha. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, San Cha’s unique sound draws inspiration from the Catholic music, cumbia, and Latin rhythms she grew with, as well as the punk culture she grew to appreciate. Here, San Cha tells Hotel Figueroa about her greatest inspirations and how she hopes to bring communities together with her music.