LOCAL SOUNDTRACK 34: MALENA PORTUONDO

Published

May 20, 2026

By: Fernanda Morales

Welcome to our May issue! We're back with Local Soundtrack, This is the corner dedicated to honoring the artists who define the soundscape of San Miguel de Allende. On this occasion, we delve into the work of Malena Portuondo, also known for her project “La Gita DJ”.

Malena arrived in San Miguel without a defined plan, but the city itself inspired her. Constant interaction with high-caliber musicians, the vibrant live music scene, and local jam sessions led her to discover her own sound: a sophisticated fusion of boleros, Latin American music, and electronica.

Originally from Cuba, Malena grew up with a deep musical awareness. Her earliest memories are marked by the "Toque de Santo," a rhythm that became the foundation of her musical background. The daughter of the television director in her hometown, she grew up witnessing firsthand the development of Cuban media and the lives of Cuban musicians. Today, that legacy lives on through her own record label, Gitana Media, where she collaborates with independent musicians from the island.

Her home was a diverse sonic ecosystem. On her mother's side, she absorbed the elegance of classical piano and figures like Ernesto Lecuona, Bola de Nieves, Pérez Prado, and Benny Moré. On the other side, her father introduced her to the world of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Queen, and the powerful voices of Tina Turner, Celine Dion, and Aretha Franklin.

“I have very early memories of my interaction with music; my dad would put headphones on me and say, 'Listen! Listen to this!'. At home there were always people rehearsing; music was part of the air we breathed,‘, Malena remembers. In her adolescence,

Malena moved to Europe. During her time in Barcelona, Cuban music became a source of nostalgia, while socially she immersed herself in the electronic music scene. It was at festivals and in that avant-garde environment that she found a new form of expression. This duality defines her current project: the union of her Cuban roots with her self-discovery through electronic music, adding textures she has gathered on her travels through Colombia, Panama, and Bolivia. Her music is a tapestry of Andean and Caribbean sounds processed through technology. Malena found a cultural haven in San Miguel, where music receives the value it deserves. For her, this is a city where fashion, art, and nightlife converge in high-quality offerings.

“The venue owners give many opportunities to experiment; they value what’s different. It’s been very easy to interact with live musicians who are on their own journey of exploration; we integrate with each other. For me, electronic music is simply another musical instrument.”, She explains. For Malena, music is an energy that doesn't...

It belongs to no one and is meant to be shared. Its philosophy is that all genres contribute and that interaction is the key to everything.

“I always try to experiment out of genuine curiosity: What would a bolero sound like in techno? Now I’m starting to sing and I hope to evolve in that area. I look for musicians, give them suggestions, and we create together.”.

Currently, Malena is working on a more consistent repertoire, producing her own demos with the intention of bringing this hybrid format to as many stages as possible. Her goal is clear: neither to be exclusively a club DJ, nor to lead a traditional acoustic band. Her quest lies in that "middle ground" where she can fuse the best of both worlds.

You can follow Malena Portuondo's work closely on her social media and enjoy her regular performances at venues like Otomí, Casa Murciélago, and Artlalli. Let's continue supporting the talent that makes San Miguel the best city in the world! See you in the next edition.