Switched On: The Dawn of Electronic Sound by Latin American Women

Switched On is the first book dedicated to female protagonists of Latin American electronic music, featuring composers and sound artists from the 1960s to the 1980s. It challenges the dominant narrative of avant-garde electronic music's history, which has been predominantly narrated from the perspective of Anglo-American and Western European experiences and largely focused on male protagonists.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 10 March 2024
Publisher: Contingent Sounds

Switched On: The First Book Dedicated Exclusively to the Female Protagonists of Latin American Electronic Music
Switched On, the first book dedicated exclusively to the female protagonists of Latin American electronic music, has been edited by independent curator, researcher, and label head of Buh Records, Luis Alvarado, and experimental musician, multimedia artist, and researcher Alejandra Cardenas (also known as Ale Hop). The book features composers and sound artists such as Alicia Urreta, Beatriz Ferreyra, Elsa Justel, Eulalia Bernard, Graciela Castillo, Hilda Dianda, Ileana Pérez Velázquez, Irina Escalante Chernova, Iris Sagüesa, Jacqueline Nova, Jocy de Oliveira, Leni Alexander, Margarita Paksa, Marietta Veulens, Mónica OReilly Viamontes, Nelly Moretto, Oksana Linde, Patricia Belli, Renée Pietrafesa Bonnet, Rocío Sanz Quirós, Teresa Burga, Vania Dantas Leite, and many others.

The official history of 20th-century avant-garde electronic music has been predominantly narrated from the point of view of Anglo-American and Western European experiences and largely remained focused on its male protagonists. To destabilize this history, this editorial project presents a collection of perspectives, essays, interviews, archival photos, and work reviews centered on the early electronic music production by Latin American female creators, who were active from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Switched On aims to challenge the dominant narrative and provide a more inclusive and diverse perspective on the history of electronic music. By highlighting the contributions of Latin American women, the book seeks to contribute to a more equitable and representative representation of the genre.

The book includes a wide range of composers and sound artists, each with their unique style and approach to electronic music. Alicia Urreta, for example, is a pioneer in the field of electronic music in Mexico, known for her innovative use of synthesizers and her experimental approach to composition. Beatriz Ferreyra, on the other hand, is a Brazilian composer who has worked with a variety of electronic music genres, including techno, house, and experimental music. Elsa Justel, a Chilean composer, is known for her minimalist compositions and her use of electronic sounds to create immersive soundscapes.

The book also includes essays and interviews with several of the featured composers and sound artists, providing insights into their creative processes and the challenges they faced in the early days of electronic music production. These interviews offer a glimpse into the creative minds behind some of the most iconic electronic music tracks of the era.

In addition to the historical content, Switched On also includes archival photos and work reviews that provide a visual and auditory context for the music. These photos and reviews offer a glimpse into the recording studios, clubs, and festivals where electronic music was first performed and recorded.

Overall, Switched On is a significant contribution to the field of electronic music and the history of Latin American music. By highlighting the contributions of Latin American women, the book seeks to challenge the dominant narrative and provide a more inclusive and diverse perspective on the genre. Whether you are a fan of electronic music or a researcher interested in the history of Latin American music, Switched On is a must-read.

Switched On: The First Book Dedicated Exclusively to the Female Protagonists of Latin American Electronic Music

Switched On, the first book dedicated exclusively to the female protagonists of Latin American electronic music, has been edited by independent curator, researcher, and label head of Buh Records, Luis Alvarado, and experimental musician, multimedia artist, and researcher Alejandra Cardenas (also known as Ale Hop). The book features composers and sound artists such as Alicia Urreta, Beatriz Ferreyra, Elsa Justel, Eulalia Bernard, Graciela Castillo, Hilda Dianda, Ileana Pérez Velázquez, Irina Escalante Chernova, Iris Sagüesa, Jacqueline Nova, Jocy de Oliveira, Leni Alexander, Margarita Paksa, Marietta Veulens, Mónica OReilly Viamontes, Nelly Moretto, Oksana Linde, Patricia Belli, Renée Pietrafesa Bonnet, Rocío Sanz Quirós, Teresa Burga, Vania Dantas Leite, and many others.

The official history of 20th-century avant-garde electronic music has been predominantly narrated from the point of view of Anglo-American and Western European experiences and largely remained focused on its male protagonists. To destabilize this history, this editorial project presents a collection of perspectives, essays, interviews, archival photos, and work reviews centered on the early electronic music production by Latin American female creators, who were active from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Switched On aims to challenge the dominant narrative and provide a more inclusive and diverse perspective on the history of electronic music. By highlighting the contributions of Latin American women, the book seeks to contribute to a more equitable and representative representation of the genre.

The book includes a wide range of composers and sound artists, each with their unique style and approach to electronic music. Alicia Urreta, for example, is a pioneer in the field of electronic music in Mexico, known for her innovative use of synthesizers and her experimental approach to composition. Beatriz Ferreyra, on the other hand, is a Brazilian composer who has worked with a variety of electronic music genres, including techno, house, and experimental music. Elsa Justel, a Chilean composer, is known for her minimalist compositions and her use of electronic sounds to create immersive soundscapes.

The book also includes essays and interviews with several of the featured composers and sound artists, providing insights into their creative processes and the challenges they faced in the early days of electronic music production. These interviews offer a glimpse into the creative minds behind some of the most iconic electronic music tracks of the era.

In addition to the historical content, Switched On also includes archival photos and work reviews that provide a visual and auditory context for the music. These photos and reviews offer a glimpse into the recording studios, clubs, and festivals where electronic music was first performed and recorded.

Overall, Switched On is a significant contribution to the field of electronic music and the history of Latin American music. By highlighting the contributions of Latin American women, the book seeks to challenge the dominant narrative and provide a more inclusive and diverse perspective on the genre. Whether you are a fan of electronic music or a researcher interested in the history of Latin American music, Switched On is a must-read.

Weight: 638g
Dimension: 173 x 239 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783000777523