Ella baila sola
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Marta Botía Alonso, Marilia Andrés Casares |
| Headquarters | Madrid , Spain |
| Products | Music albums, live tours |
Ella baila sola () is a Spanish musical pair consisting of Marta Botía Alonso (born in Madrid, Spain, on September 15, 1974) and Marilia Andrés Casares (from Cuenca, Spain, born December 17, 1974). Although the duo disbanded in 2001, Marta continues to tour across Latin America independently; Marilia no longer participates in the group. In April 2021, both artists revealed plans for a reunion tour commemorating the band's 25 years together.
History
Marilia Andrés Casares and Marta Botía first crossed paths during their studies at Madrid's San Agustin School. Initially performing under the name "The Just" with songs solely in English, they transitioned to Spanish following the advice of producer Gonzalo Benavides. Adopting the name "Ella Baila Sola," inspired by Sting's track "They Dance Alone," they launched their debut album in 1996. Their musical approach merges elements of Latin Cantautor, Latin Pop, Spanish Pop, and Spanish Pop Rock. In 1997, they earned the "Best Spanish Band" accolade at the Premios Amigos awards.
Their first album achieved sales exceeding one million copies in Spain and enjoyed significant popularity throughout Latin America. Tracks such as "Lo echamos a suertes" and "Amores de barra" became emblematic tunes of Spain’s 1990s music scene. The duo embarked on extensive tours covering Mexico, Chile, the United States, and their homeland. Before their split, a noticeable emotional distance had developed between them, evident in their avoidance of each other. After her departure from Ella Baila Sola, Marilia embarked on a solo career as a singer-songwriter.
Music
Building on their initial success from 1996, the pair released two subsequent albums that further solidified their presence in Latin markets. However, due to personal disagreements, Marta and Marilia parted ways in 2001 to follow individual artistic paths. In 2009, Marta Botía revived Ella Baila Sola alongside new member Rocío Pavón, issuing Awake—a collection of fresh material accompanied by a tour—and Grandes Exitos, featuring hits from the 1990s. The group disbanded once more in 2013 after Pavón’s exit amid public controversies. Following this, Marta toured with María del Mar García between 2015 and 2018 before reestablishing the band in 2018 with Virginia Mos, hinting at forthcoming releases.
Discography
- Ella baila sola (1996)
- E.B.S. (1998)
- Marta y Marilia (2000)
- Grandes éxitos (2001)
Collaborations
- Mira que eres canalla Aute (Ella baila sola – Ay de ti, Ay de mí)
- Mujer (Ella baila sola – No sabes como sufrí || Todos – Hay que volver a empezar)
- Homenaje a Jesús de la Rosa (Marilia – Tu frialdad || Todos – Recuerdos de una noche)
- Elefantes (Elefantes & Marilia – Me gustaría hacerte feliz)
- Se vende (Tonxu & Marta Botía – Risk || Tonxu & Ella baila sola – El caprichoso)
- Vampiros en La Habana (Guaraná & Marta Botía – Échame a mí la culpa)