Dominican Republic
Everything published on Viyolens under Dominican Republic — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
The History of Merengue
From a 1850s Cibao dance hall to Elvis Crespo on international radio: the real story of how merengue became the Dominican Republic's defining export.
Merengue for Newcomers: Where to Start
No gatekeeping, no theory required first: a genuinely practical way into merengue, starting with the songs rather than the history.
Merengue Subgenres, Explained
One word, several distinct sounds: how merengue típico, orquesta, the bachata fusion and merengue urbano each carved out their own space.
The History of Bachata
How a stigmatised barrio music from the Dominican Republic spent thirty years as a punchline before conquering dancefloors worldwide.
A Beginner's Guide to Merengue
The Dominican Republic's national music and dance, unpacked: where merengue came from, the instruments that define it, and how to start telling its styles apart.
A Beginner's Guide to Bachata
What bachata actually is, in plain terms: the instruments, the rhythm, a short history and the three styles you'll hear people argue about.
