BradElectro

CUBEREC label head Casta recently published an excellent article on the development of the electronic music scene here in Central America. I’ve reprinted an excerpt, below. You can read the entire article on Beatportal.

Central America is often dwarfed by Mexico or mistaken for an extension of South America. However, this distinct region is in fact an isthmus formed by Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Central America is frequently associated with its Mayan heritage, Caribbean coastline, and the political upheaval of the past several decades, yet in truth the region has much more to offer. Its spectacular mountains, small islands, and warm local people have welcomed DJs from around the globe. As the mid-1990s saw the end of repressive regimes in several Central American nations, youth culture has experienced a renewed interest in creative expression, setting the stage for the rise of electronic music. This often overlooked region has thus become home to a thriving electronic music scene.

Although the scene actually started over a decade ago with small underground raves and private parties, the world of electronic music has diversified immeasurably: not only have venues expanded from exclusive events to include bars and festivals, but the audience has grown from an elite few to a passionate and widespread public. In this sense, despite its marginal beginnings, electronic music has slowly yet undeniably evolved to become a popular genre [...]