Grammy-nominated Latin singer-songwriter Gustavo Galindo chatted about his new music, which includes his latest studio offering “Between Two Worlds.”
On his music and songwriting inspirations, he said, “I feel that music is probably the closest real thing to magic we have. These words and melodies that can infect and change us, open us up and destroy us sometimes, and then put us back together is very powerful.”
“For me, it’s the need to feel my emotions and thoughts transmitted into a sound that inspires me,” he said.
Song selection process for the new record
On the song selection approach for the new album, “Between Two Worlds,” he said, “I had recently moved back to Los Angeles when the pandemic hit. During that time, I began looking at the material I had written since my last indie record, ‘Renacer,’ and I knew I wanted to step up my game and deliver something honest and heartfelt.”
“So I called up Shane Alexander, whom I admired from afar over the years and knew from a couple of gigs I’d seen of his and through mutual friends, to see if he wanted to listen to what I had and see if there was anything worthy of woodshedding,” he said.
“After meeting a couple of times, it became apparent that we had great chemistry, and he really enjoyed the ideas I would bring into his studio. Soon, we had 11 new songs amongst the ones I had brought in,” he said.
“For me, each song had to feel like cars hitched to a massive steam engine, each one its own gem but going in the same direction,” he added.
Favorite song on the album
He listed the tune “Perfect Picture” as his favorite song on the album. “I love 70s singer-songwriters like Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Carol King, Steve Forbert and Harry Nilsson,” he said.
“I had come up with a cool, interesting guitar lick and brought it to my songwriting session with an amazing songwriter, Laura Jean Anderson. I had the idea for a story inspired by the ‘Pretty Woman’ movie but less glam and more raw,” he said.
“These two people meet under arranged circumstances and end up having feelings for each other despite the rules agreed upon. She got it and helped me hone in on the story line melody and verses. I later played it for Shane and he loved it but felt it needed a proper chorus to tie the story together,” he added.
‘Princesa’
On the origin of “Princesa,” he said, “During the pandemic, when the world stopped, I was super guilt-ridden about not being able to see my daughter, who was living in Mexico City with her mom at the time. So I wrote a song about missing her, Mexico City, and my friends and family there.”
Galindo continued, “My aim is always to be cinematic and place the listener in the world of the song by using the lyrics as the lens of where you want to draw the ear and mind of the listener, to bring them to Mexico City in springtime when the jacarandas are pink and purple, alive and percolating with the fervor of 20 million bees.”
“It is also important to feel the love you feel as a parent towards your child and the pallets of emotions that go along with it,” he acknowledged.
“Then the music has to do its job, which is why I asked my friend Pepe Carlos of La Santa Cecilia to play the accordion and requinto guitar on the track that really helped give the song what I call my ‘chilangringo’ sound, which is the blend of Mexico City and California,” he said.
“I feel it’s a very honest song and sound-wise very unique, and something I’d play at the pearly gates to show them what I did back on earth,” he added.
The digital age
On being an artist in the digital age, he said, “It feels like I’m a manager, director, editor, social media manager, content creator, producer, songwriter, father and husband all rolled into one.”
“I do enjoy the ability to reach people that you might not have been able to reach previously. To know that someone on the other side of the world could be hearing your voice and connecting and having a moment is a really powerful thing,” he added.
Advice for young and aspiring artists
For young and aspiring artists, he said, “I think honing your skills on an instrument, writing, and stagecraft are important. In the digital age, with so many things that can be enhanced or faked, the one area you can’t sell short in is performing live.”
“Crowds are great lie detectors for a bad performance. That’s why you’re seeing such a resurgence in bands and songwriters,” he added.
Dream duet choices
On his dream duet choices in music, he responded, “I love duets and love writing them as well. Someone I admire a lot is Jade Bird. I think her voice is amazing and has great melody lines.”
“On the other side of the border id love to sing with Lila Downs. Her voice is so unique and soulful,” he said.
Success
On his definition of the word success, he said, “Success means continuing to make music and doing what I love most while being with my family.”
Message for fans and supporters
For his fans, he remarked about the new music, “If you like Chris Isaak, John Mayer, Los Lobos, Brandi Carlile, then this record is for you. Play it loud.”
To learn more about Latin singer-songwriter Gustavo Galindo, follow him on Instagram.
