Podcast 'Backstage' Explores the Professionalization of the Canary Islands' Music Industry

The latest season of the podcast Backstage: What is not told about music in the Canary Islands explores how local musical talent reaches international audiences and how the archipelago manages its cultural sector. Supported by the regional government’s Department of Culture and produced by the Canarian Music Cluster, this second season features seven monthly episodes designed to shed light on the inner workings of the islands' music industry.

The first episode features Tenerife-born pianist and conductor Isora Castilla. Having built a successful career in Switzerland since the late 1990s, Castilla offers a unique perspective by comparing the cultural ecosystems of Europe and the Canary Islands. Her work—which spans performance, teaching at the Bern Conservatory, and musicological research into the role of the piano in flamenco—highlights how music functions as both an art form and a tool for social and institutional development.

The series, now available on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, will be recorded at various cultural venues across the islands. Through conversations between industry professionals, the podcast examines the challenges of the local music scene, ranging from technical training to the global promotion of artists. By focusing on these behind-the-scenes realities, the project aims to provide a clear look at the professionalization of music within the unique context of island life.