It was a very cold first day of spring in Williamsburg, New York—just a day shy of my return to Medellín—where I found myself really excited to chat with Daniela Serna, a talented NYC artist and Colombian musician who’s made waves as a percussionist in New York. My introduction to Daniela was as modern as they come: an Instagram Reel showcasing La Manga, an all-female ensemble delivering soulful Colombian music, with my favorite place, Gantry Park on the backdrop. Add to that Manuela Agudelo’s mesmerizing dance, and I was hooked.
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Our initial recording spot, a residential building in Williamsburg, turned out to be a non-starter thanks to some unexpected no-recording rules. But in true New York fashion, we pivoted on the spot. Determined not to leave the city without having a conversation with Daniela, we found ourselves at Sapphire Deli on the corner of N 4th Street and Kent Avenue, transforming a corner deli into our impromptu recording studio.
Crossing Borders and Breaking Stereotypes
Daniela is a seasoned NYC artist and Colombian musician, having learned her skills at La Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas. Beyond her formal studies, her artistic journey has been shaped by travel and learning from influential artists like Pabla Flores, Emilsen Pacheco and Latin Grammy Award-winning Petrona Martínez, Daniela has created diverse and richly layered artistic journey. As a traveling artist, Daniela brings traditional Colombian rhythms like mapalé, cumbia, and bullerengue to life through tambores, and gaitas profoundly shaping her world view. Additionally, living in New York City for nearly two and a half years, she has seized every opportunity with hard work, persistence, and an openness to breaking music stereotypes, taking the city’s music scene by storm.
Her artistic narrative is deeply rooted in female collectives. From her early days with La Perla and Aguasalá in her native Bogotá to her pivotal role in LADAMA since 2014, Daniela has championed collaborative efforts. LADAMA, a groundbreaking ensemble comprised of Lara Klaus from Brazil, Mafer Bandola from Venezuela, and Daniela Serna, was born out of ONEbeat, an international music exchange program celebrating musical collaboration and social engagement.
Photography by @shervinfoto
At the core of her creative ethos lies a commitment to challenging norms, including her notable participation in all-female bands. She embraces her identity as a woman in music with confidence and authenticity, setting her apart in the industry.
“Soy capaz de todo quiero grabar la música que me nace del alma de las entrañas, obvio quiero que a la gente le guste, pero a la que a mas le tiene que gustar, y la que está pegada escuchando la música, soy yo.”
Embracing Opportunities as an Octopus Artist
For Daniela, New York City isn’t just a backdrop—its a muse that reciprocates her creative passion. From the get-go, the city has encouraged her artistic evolution. Its where she’s crossed paths with other creatives that have paved the way for collaborative ventures like La Manga, the all-female ensemble that initially caught my eye and introduced me to her. The city vibes have also led her to join forces with an all-female salsa orchestra, La Lulada—a unique gem with an all woman lineup in the heart of the city that birthed salsa.
“Una manera de contar mi historia, que me gusta, y que he logrado aquí en Nueva York, es sentirme como un artista pulpo. ¿Sabes? Es como que tengo varios tentáculos y como que no tengo que tener un solo perfil como músico.
AKUPERCU: LO-FI Meets Latin Beats
At the heart of Daniela’s musical journey is her solo project, AKUPERCU, which culminates in her upcoming album, LO-FI TAMBO. Featuring the debut single ‘No Paren,’ the album’s production captures the energy of New York City and the rhythmic spirit of Puerto Rico. It was recorded by five Colombian producers, including two talented women, and Puerto Rican producer Toxic, known for his work with Tego Calderón.
LO-FI TAMBO is a percussion-driven exploration, fearlessly blending electronic sounds with traditional rhythms like plena-lofi, rap-mapalé, change-lao, and bachata footwork. The album will premier during Daniela’s European tour, with shows in Barcelona, Vienna, and Paris this summer 2024. The album’s Colombian production credits include Pernett, Matuk, Monokike, Katherine O’Campo, and Carolina Duran, adding depth to the mix.
Photography by @empeliculado
Recently I had the privilege of a private listen to the album, and its packed with infection beats. The sound immediately transport me to a warm, lively place, embodying Daniela’s unmistakable energy.
“Si creo que mi sonido ha evolucionado, con Akupercu puntualmente y este disco que voy a lanzar, Me di todo el espacio para jugar y experimentar. Listo me gusta una cumbia, o una plena, pero quiero una plena lo-fi”
Cultural Exchange Tour with LADAMA
Earlier this year, Daniela took on an opportunity with LADAMA, which she fondly refers to as a “work-show”—a didactic space and cultural exchange facilitated by World Fest, a project sponsored by Arts Midwest. Having the opportunity to go into elementary and middle schools across the upper Midwest states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota, Daniela and LADAMA were able to craft a musical bridge between Latin American heritage and United Statesean culture.
She introduced students to a diverse range of instruments, from the gaita corta—a Colombian indigenous wind instrument native to the Kogui nation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—to the bandola llanera, a string instrument from the Eastern Colombo-Venezuelan plains, and the tambor alegre, a percussion staple in the Caribbean region of Colombia.
The students were captivated, embracing the sounds with enthusiastic body percussion and dance. This cultural exchange not only served as a welcoming embrace for Latinos newly arrived to the country but also sparked an interest in language learning among the native students.
Photography by Janet Eckles
For Daniela, this experience was also a rich learning opportunity, allowing her to connect with indigenous communities, like the Lakota, and deepen her understandings of their heritage and traditions.
“Dakota fue super importante porque Dakota es territorio indigena. La palabra Dakota es una palabra indigena. Recorrer esos espacios son muy importante para nosotras porque nos permite entender en que lugar estamos, entender la realidad social y cultural de este país.”
Redefining Music with Resilience, Creativity, and Passion
As our conversation wrapped up, it was evident that Daniela Serna is the embodiment of resilience, creativity, and passion. From her ground breaking projects like LADAMA to her solo venture AKUPERCU, Daniela continues to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a musician in today’s fast paced world.
Her journey from the streets of Bogota to the hustle and bustle of New York City serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of music and collaboration. With her upcoming singles on the horizon, there is no doubt that Daniela’s star will continue to rise.
As we parted ways, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to dive into the world of a truly remarkable artist. Daniela Serna’s story is a reminder that when passion meets perseverance, the possibilities are endless. So, keep an ear out for Akupercu, and get ready to embark on a musical journey unlike any other.
