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Chilean alternative singer/songwriter Gepe, whose versatile style incorporates aspects of both indie pop and indie electronica, emerged to critical acclaim during the mid-2000s in association with the well-regarded independent label Quemasucabeza. Born Daniel Riveros in 1981 in San Miguel, a commune of Santiago, Chile, he cites influences ranging from legendary Chilean singer/songwriter Victor Jara and sunshine pop icon Brian Wilson to alternative rock touchstones such as Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine as well as contemporary indie pop acts such as Animal Collective and Devendra Banhart. Before adopting the Gepe moniker, Riveros collaborated with bassist Javier Cruz in the short-lived duo Taller Dejao, resulting in the independently released full-length album El Brillo Que Tiene Es Lo Humano Que Le Queda (2004). While he continued to collaborate with others in the Chilean indie pop/rock scene such as Javiera Mena, Riveros embarked on a solo career as Gepe, making his recording debut as such in 2004 with 5x5, an EP released in association with the independent label Jacobino Discos. He subsequently switched to another Chilean independent label, Quemasucabeza, on which he made his full-length album debut in 2005 with Gepinto and was concurrently featured on the label sampler Panorama Neutral. Successive Gepe releases on Quemasucabeza include the follow-up album Hungría (2007) and the EP Las Piedras (2008). ~ Jason Birchmeier

A vivid confluence of art, fashion, and musical styles ranging from gypsy jazz, pop, and various Latin traditions, Columbia's Monsieur Periné emerged in the early years of the 2010s as one of Bogotá's most creative ensembles. After their 2012 debut earned gold status, the group was named Best New Artist at the 2015 Latin Grammy Awards. Fronted by dulcet-voiced singer Catalina García, their third album, 2018's Encanto Tropical, blended elements of the contemporary Latinx scene with bolero torch songs, jazzy tangos, and lush romantic ballads.

The core trio of García (vocals), Santiago Prieto Sarabia (guitar, violin, charango), and Nicolás Junca (guitar) began playing together in 2008 along with early member Camilo Parra. As they slowly found their voice, they graduated from various Latin and jazz covers to writing their own material, which combined their wide range of influences and García's multilingual (Spanish, French, English, and Portuguese) talents. With the help of fashion designer Alejandra Rivas Ramirez, Monsieur Periné developed a stylish, theatrical visual image in advance of their first official single, "La Muerte," which they recorded with veteran Colombian producer Felipe Álvarez. The song was later included on the group's 2012 debut album, Hecho a Mano. Though independently released, the album was a critical and commercial hit, earning gold status as well as a pair of Shock Awards.

Monsieur Periné's second album, Caja de Música, was released in 2015 and proved to be their breakout, winning them a Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist and a Grammy nomination for best Latin rock, urban, or alternative album. It included guest appearances by Rubén Albarrán (Café Tacuba) and Vicente García, among others. They soon made the jump to Sony Records and returned in 2018 with the vibrant Encanto Tropical album. "Mi Destino," a collaborative single with fellow Colombian singer Maréh, appeared the following year. ~ Timothy Monger