Diandra Interviews Gustavo Galindo: Being Reborn With Music
Gustavo Galindo has been through a lot between his debut and sophomore album. From his mother’s death to his daughter’s birth, life has taken the time to teach him that it is filled with endings and beginnings. Hence, his latest album, Renacer, was an homage to how we are constantly being reborn. No person stays the same throughout their life, but our goal, as human beings, should be that all changes lead us to different ways we can be happy. In our interview, Gustavo discusses how his music has made him shed materialism for a sense of spiritual joy.
Diandra: Throughout history, the artist has been the “checker” of society for whether it using good or bad energy to reform itself. Now more than ever, there is a feeling of darkness. What do you feel is your responsibility as an artist in these times?
Gustavo: It’s hard to cut through all the fluff, sometimes. There is so much distractions and content being created that it is hard to get to the truth. Some artists are more about escapism, and the true artists are the ones that confront reality. It like we have the “jester” role to the King. The court jester was the only one that could really tell the truth to the king because he used humor, and it is the same with artists and their music.
Diandra: What do you say to artists that do not want to get involved in social-politics. Do you think they are as true?
Gustavo: I think there are different reasons people want to be artists. Some just want to escape poverty, and have the things they never had, which I understand. Moreover, there are different musics for different scenarios like, dance music for dancing, which is cool. Yet, I think there is a need to shed light on things, which I do not think every artist understands. Now, more than ever, there are some fantastic artists that are going beyond labels to make music that sheds light and information to darkness. Now, all you need is a computer and people can find your voice.
Diandra: One thing I noticed, every time you say industry, your voice drops. (Gustavo laughs). Is it really that much harder to speak truth to power when working through the music industry?
Gustavo: They have a common denominator. They need money to keep the lights on, keep the employees paid, keep the checks flowing. In order to keep doing what they do, they have to sell. So they love artists whom are handsome and sing to sex. They sell and that funds their families and their businesses. Yet, when your an artist that cares about the bad things happening in this world it is not easy because there is a fear it won’t sell, which is why I admire artists like Residente. He really had to work hard to get to a point in this industry where he sell out shows from speaking truth to power. It is all a process. You have to suffer, fail, and mull over your art. It is always about rewriting, discovering, and feeling curious about your art, but this is an industry about instant gratification.
Diandra: You mention curiosity as important. How do you maintain you curiosity for your art?
Gustavo: You have to be curious about how things are going to affect or look because curiosity is how you learn things. So you always have to ask why things are the way they are and questioning yourself because, if you don’t, that is how you end up with the Handmaid’s tale. (He laughs). We don’t challenge because we do not want to go against the grain.
Diandra: You have said the world is divided between the sensitive and insensitive. You think that is why you are not so crazy about the music industry? It is not always sensitive.
Gustavo: I have had to protect my heart. The world can be a very frightening place, and when I was young I did not know how to handle people’s energy. So I would back away or rebel because when you are young you don’t really know when it is you or people affecting you. I think a lot of artists go through that impasse, and don’t know how to handle it. So that is how you end up with kids dying from overdoses and suicides. People can make their own reality, but they do not know they have that power.
Diandra: How do you think music has helped you choose your reality?
Gustavo: I think music is very cathartic. There is a great quote from Elizabeth Gilbert about genius. In Ancient Greece, “genius” meant the messengers between the people and the gods. So, whenever you are not feeling the muse, it is like saying, “I guess my genius didn’t come today.” In a way, songwriters are fortune-tellers. If you think you are the genius that is when you get into Kanye territory. You have people that go the “I am a genius” route, and those that are humble and kind and see it is not about them. The truth is you are an antenna, and you are receiving things. For me, music is about learning that balance, and seeing that the things I am feeling, when I put them to music, help me learn about myself, as well. I think artists have a sensitivity that helps them bring out something that is in us all. Everyone connects, and if you connect to that light, you can glow and give a good vibe as an artist that people pick up.
Diandra: Well, I think this generation is especially focused on happiness rather than stability. How do you emanate such a vibe?
Gustavo: Happiness is a state of mind as opposed to something you have. The hope is that such a state of mind spreads. Yet, happiness is s hard thing to learn in this system, which has been placed for so long. Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. The system is racist, and it trains us to judge and distance people based on their looks. As an individual, you have to be conscious of that so that you can be better, but people get defensive when they are told they are not being or reacting better. The same thing goes for empathy, and how we are discouraged from seeing the world from others’ perspectives or cultures. I believe in energy, and that something good is always happening, manifesting, and changing things. The cool thing about being open to learning and seeing things is that you can tap into that. You can have a personal relationship with your spirituality and soul which leads you to happiness.
Diandra: Renacer?
Gustavo: Yeah. When my mother died I looked at my life. You start looking at the past, and you see the things you don’t let go versus the things you do. You feel divided between your faith and fear of the future. If you decide to stay in your pain then it is your choice. We can’t control life, but we can control how we react. We choose how or what affects us. Music allowed me to be present, which is so rare because everyone is always looking forward or back to something instead of the now. There are so many things you can use to stay in the present like meditation or yoga. For me, it is music, and I love that it helps other people stay present, as well. That is why I believe you need to hone and grow your talent because of what it gives to others. You have to learn to use your voice.
Isn’t that beautiful? What a gorgeous mindset, which led to a gorgeous album. There is a spirituality to Renacer that builds heavenly., guitar melodies from the ground up. Each track is metaphorical in its description of a man trying to decipher how to feel limitless after suffering so many ends. This has to be one of the most relatable themes, but Gustavo’s voice is 100% unique. It burns like the ambers of a beach bonfire, and rises to the sky just like them; hoping his fire can meet the burning light of the stars. Thus, it is no wonder he is receiving such critical claim. No one can deny an artists that speaks to power, but you, especially, cannot deny an artist that is powerful. For More Information On Gustavo Galindo Click Here.