Not only is Mexico celebrating its independence this week, Chile, Latin America’s pop darling, is commemorating 204 years of independence today. Chileans everywhere will be drinking chicha and piscolas and eating anticuchos, empanadas, and choripanes.
Despite earthquakes, tsunamis, and social problems, Chileans have proven time and again that they are resilient and can make the most of their creativity in the face of adversity. The Chilean indie scene has exploded beyond its borders in recent years, and it’s a community that has grown and matured well, giving us artists like Gepe, Javiera Mena and Astro.
But it’s time to meet a new generation of artists and newcomers building interesting careers, who are surmounting the reality that there are very few venues in Santiago, as well as the indifference of media and the general public.
So get ready. Grab your empanada, and with piscola in hand, check out this list of 10 Chilean artists you need to know right now.
Editor’s note: If you’re in New York, be sure to check out the Ponk Records show at Cameo Gallery tonight, organized by Ponk label director Sokio and featuring HD XD, Parrot Dream, and Rubio.