Today we’d like to introduce you to Gustavo Moradel.
Hi Gustavo, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m Gustavo Moradel. I was born in Honduras and came to the United States at 12, where I had to adapt to a new language, a new culture, and a new sense of identity. Music became the place where I could process all of that and express who I was becoming.
Over the years, I’ve built a career as a songwriter, folk artist, and performer, blending Latin American storytelling traditions with American folk and indie influences. I’ve toured across the country at universities, cultural centers, and venues like The Ryman, The Caverns, and the Bluebird Café, and I’m a voting member of the Recording Academy.
My music is rooted in themes of migration, memory, family, and belonging. I write to honor where I come from and to create space for others to see their own stories reflected in mine.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I came to the U.S. from Honduras when I was 12, and that transition shaped a lot of my journey—learning a new language, adapting to a new culture, and carrying the weight of being far from home and family. Growing up, I didn’t have access to formal music training or resources, so a lot of what I’ve built has been through self-teaching, community, and persistence.
There have also been times where I’ve had to work multiple jobs just to keep making music. The industry can be unpredictable, and as an immigrant and a Latino artist, I’ve often had to create my own opportunities rather than wait for someone else to open the door.
But those struggles have also been part of what gives my music its voice. They’ve taught me resilience, they’ve deepened my storytelling, and they’ve kept me connected to the communities and experiences that inspire the work I make. The challenges haven’t stopped me—they’ve actually shaped the purpose behind what I do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a songwriter and folk artist, and my work centers on stories of migration, family, memory, and cultural identity. I write in both English and Spanish, and I draw heavily from my Honduran roots while also being influenced by American folk and indie traditions. A lot of my songs come from lived experience — growing up between countries, learning to belong in different spaces, and holding gratitude and grief at the same time.
I think what I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to stay true to my voice. My music has never been about chasing trends or trying to sound like someone else — it’s been about honoring where I come from and telling stories in a way that feels honest and human.
What sets my work apart is that it lives in the in-between — between cultures, languages, genres, and identities. I’m not trying to be “traditional” or “contemporary” or “Latin” or “folk” — I’m allowing all of those parts to exist in the same space. My songs come from that tension and that beauty.
At the heart of what I do is connection. I want people to hear themselves in the music, to feel remembered, seen, or understood — even if our stories are different. That’s the purpose behind the work.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about numbers or recognition — it’s about alignment. I define success as being able to live in a way that’s true to who I am, to my values, to my culture, and to the stories I carry.
If I’m creating work that feels honest… if I’m able to take care of my family… if the music I make helps someone feel seen or less alone… that is success to me.
I think success is also about continuity — continuing to grow, to learn, to stay curious, to stay connected to my roots, and to keep making art even when the path isn’t linear.
So I’d say success is not a destination I’m trying to reach. It’s a way of moving through the world — with intention, integrity, and heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gustavoguerrero.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gustavomoradel/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GustavoMoradelOfficial/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gustavomoradel/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GustavoMoradel
