I myself am an Andean musician in New York, although I am not with a group and I dont busk at this point, and I am certainly not going into debt to purchase top of the line audio equipment lol.

Whats funny is that I was born here of Hungarian/Dominican extraction and have no Andean blood, however its music that resonates in my soul(Andean music and culture). I started playing this music when I was about 16 and I'm 22 now. I have read many comments here good bad and indifferent and I can understand some of the complaints of various people.

Many of the andean bands throughout the world tend to hit on certain standards to cater to their new audiences. Thus it can seem that they all play the same songs. While I enjoy these songs and play them also, I much prefer the authentic music from the Andean region that passers by who hear these bands would NEVER hear in the U.S.

As I said I live in New York City and I have not experienced the kind of uncourteous behavior, the kind of which I have read hear (amplification too loud, drowning out other performers etc.)

In fact many of these bands in my area play in the subways and are part of the "Music under New York program" which permits a wide array (including a few andean bands) of auditioned and approved musicians who play the subway scene with the city's blessing.

Also I am aquainted with a certain group which is leaning towards the Native American identity but I havent seen them wear feathers. The leader of that group is a true gentlman, and several of the groups give me a special price, I guess because they realize Im a fellow player. Whe I was first learning the music I met one of these groups and I had my instrument, so they allowed me to play which was very nice.

Some groups are Native American sounding, some are latin jazzy/ Andean and western pop, some are more traditional so we have a nice variety here in NY.

I enjoyed reading the comments, although I was a little shall we say...biased concerning some comments lol but some of the points made were valid. I think some of these musicians are a misunderstood lot, but if there is ungentalmantly behavior taking place that cannot be excused no matter what race you are or your musical genre.

Sorry for the long post, That all being said

All Andean music lovers, appreciators and entheusiats, keep listening and supporting the artists.