Montaña Extendida is the long-running project of musician and performance artist Rodrigo Araya, who has explored what he describes as “alienated folk” through his audiovisual experiments since 2005. On this EP released in 2023, guitarist Araya works with his keyboardist and synthesist Gracia Fernández to deconstruct folkloric patterns through free interpretation.

Amanda Irarrázabal “Bandadas”
From Caudal, (self released, 2020)

Caudal is Chilean double bassist Amanda Irarrázabal's most personal album. Her music brings voice and synthesizers together with a double bass that gallops and searches. Irarrázabal is predominantly a soloist but has also performed in duos or groups, collaborating with artists in Argentina, Mexico, and Europe. What distinguishes her musical work is the determination to continually play: play, record and progress.

Alejandro Palacios “Cantone”
From Equis I Griega Zeta, (Nonlocal Research, 2020)

Lo-fi musician, visual artist and publisher Alejandro Palacios’s sound is unpredictable; his arrangements and albums unfold in unexpected ways. One album includes 66 pieces for trumpet conceived as ringtones, with each track barely one minute in length. This track “Cantone” is from Equis I Griega Zeta, the second part in a trilogy of albums that began with Atifambersapel, both released by the highly recommended Nonlocal Research.

Eggglub “Peace”
From Mabel, (No Problema/579, 2013/2023)

Anchored to his Roland 404 sampler, on Mabel beat maker Eggglub uses rhythm to conjure a vision of a seamless navigation through Santiago’s urban landscape. This album was initially released on cassette by No Problema in 2013 and then reissued last year by 579 – the label run by Santiago record store Needle. The reissue rightfully further highlights a record that skilfully captures the character and atmosphere of the city.

Dadalú “El Mundo Como Lo Conocemos Ya Se Acabó”
From Cerros, (Kakakids, 2023)

Dadalú’s lyrics transcend the boundaries of her songs. Under her alias, the musician and rapper Daniela Saldías challenges rap as a musical formula and reality as a point of reflection. Through the embroidery and collage in her artwork, she juxtaposes vibrant colours with the darker themes explored in her social criticism. Her latest album Cerros was released last year by Swiss label Kakadis.

Daniel Klauser “Yo Te Quise”
From Bilocación EP (Pueblo Nuevo, 2023)

Daniel Klauser is a key player in the latest wave of DJs in Santiago helping to revitalise club culture. With his frequent DJ partner Matías Rivera, Klauser is responsible for founding both Diamante Records and the Bosque Libre festival. He explores other sounds in other projects such as the downtempo funk band BEHR or the neo-soul influenced De5ierto, or in his solo electronic composition.

The Mugris “Campaña Por La Destrucción Del Capitalismo”
From The Mugris/Dimensi​ó​n11 Split (Traición 73, 2020)

The Mugris is the project of Talcahuano City musician Mauricio Romero, released by Santiago label Traición 73. Romero's music interprets punk ideas through psychedelic electronic sounds, often with minimalist quality. This musician emerged through the scene in Concepción, another interesting Chilean music pole south of Santiago.

A Full Cosmic Sound “Orgonita”
From A.F.C.S. (BYM Records, 2020)

A Full Cosmic Sound is a psychedelic collective formed in 2007, which brings together members from many various Chilean bands and projects, La Banda's, WatchOut! and Glorias Navales, to name some. Together the collective explore their own connections through instrumental improvisation and repetition.

Embassador Dulgoon “Circumnavigating Rakata Prime”
From Eden’s Fuselage (Nonlocal Research, 2021)

Formerly as Vaporboat and False Sir Nicholas, Nicolás Carcavilla’s field recording and ambient work as Embassador Dulgoon is some of the most challenging to categorise within Santiago’s musical landscape. “I really like the surrealism in the quotidian, extrapolating the fantastical from it,” Carcavilla told Spenser Tomson in a 2021 feature in The Wire 477. “You’d think I’m making field recordings of the river when I’m actually recording my washing machine at night while frogs are croaking in the garden’s pond.”

Colectivo NO “Vapor Rueda En Palestina”
From Mar De Jeruzalem (Bandcamp, 2018)

The NO Collective have a mascot whale, representing the colossal sound the free jazz octet can muster. Their performances are always completely unique, and their chaotic expression always somehow puts forth a unified declaration.

Asunción “Todas Las Luces Del Mundo”
From Divinación: De Volcanes Y Humedales (Bandcamp, 2020)

Drone artist Cristián Sánchez also has a diverse range of projects – from the dub waves of La Golden Acapulco trio, to the noise rock outfit El diAblo Es Magnífico, and from the calm waters of the electroacoustic duo Irreales del Monte, to his electronic solo project Asunción. In this 2020 solo release, repetitive synth lines hypnotise and unlock a vast openness.

Read Juan San Cristóbal Lizama's full Global Ear report in The Wire 481. Wire subscribers can also read the magazine online via the digital library of back issues.