Música De Chiloé makes an empirically rich and detailed contribution to this broader relational turn in island scholarship by focusing upon “the traditional music and dance cultures of Chiloé, their relation to and position within regional folklore, and the manner in which they have been modified and extended by contemporary artists engaging with these traditions” (p.2). . . the book deftly draws out relations between island life, modernity, tradition, tourism, social activism and music. This provides a fascinating interpretation of island life which will appeal to many disciplines; including, but not confined to, music studies, island studies, geography and cultural studies in particular. . . . throughout the book is full of rich empirical and ethnographic insight and perspective. It will appeal well to anyone interested in the specific islands under consideration, and for those interested in how humans, culture, politics, social, material and aesthetic relations more generally come together to shape island life and experience. . . . Música De Chiloé is a highly original, useful and fascinating text. I highly recommend it.

Island Studies Journal

The book brings together three contrasting yet intersecting types of engagement with the musical culture of Chiloé. The authors offer an engaging discourse around notions of space relating to diverse music and folklore topics, and include distinct and fascinating personal and creative engagements on Chiloé and Chilote cultural themes. Of particular note is the socio-spatial concept of aquapelago (“an integrated terrestrial and marine space generated by human livelihood activities”), which is introduced through the analytical lens of island studies. The text offers an intriguing interpretation of cultural phenomena that has much relevance for contemporary cultural music research, island studies, and related cultural fields.

Henry Johnson, University of Otago