Transcultural Latino: Negotiating Music Industry Expectations of Latin American Migrant Musicians in Australasia

Abstract

This article presents two examples of how Latin American migrant musicians have engaged with the commercial music industry in Australasia and the effects that this engagement has had on their musical choices. It approaches the issue from two contrasting perspectives: the first part of the article investigates the record productions of Auckland-based band Kantuta and examines the repertoire choices inherent to their success; the second part of the article provides an insider critique of the place of 'Latin' music in the Australasian music industry, with case-study examples of how the author has managed to negotiate his place within this industry. These discussions indicate that Australasian 'Latin' music is subject to a range of transcultural influences that are negotiated and selectively deployed by those who self-identify as Latin American musicians