Sadly, this week’s condemned events cost the life of a great national artist. Diego Gallardowho was best known for his project Wave air, was someone who created a unique sound in Guayaquil in the middle of the previous decade. Something I started mentioning Buenos Aires music; the fusion between son, folk, rock, tropical sounds and everything that comes from influences from cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Havana and the like.

During that time, his work began to resonate little by little. I remember in 2016 I only accompanied him with his wooden guitar, but that didn’t stop him from getting everyone dancing. His songs struck a chord with those who listened to them. This led to it being played and played on local radio stations shows in some of the most important places in the city.

An important point before the release of his album was without a doubt the single Pitahaya woman, with the participation of an even younger Shalom Mendieta. That song which, as the lyrics state, is a electric wave explodes and it was one hit since the first time it rang.

In 2019, with already a first-rate band, it was published Let’s hum 1, their first and only album with a double release planned. A complete bomb with songs that will certainly be anthems now, such as Seconds and hours, Pyramids and my favorite, However. It is inevitable to keep up with the pace of all that work.

By then I started as a music columnist for Diario EL UNIVERSO. I remember some of my first articles were a review that I titled The air that hums in the Gulf and the list of the most notable albums of 2019, in which I have of course included Aire del Golfo’s debut.

Then I met Diego Gallardo, someone who was friendly and warm, but also very shy and funny. I didn’t understand how this somewhat reserved person simply needed the microphone and guitar to start the party. Those things in life.

Some mutual friends had told him about my texts and although no friendship had developed, there was always a lot of respect and cordiality between us. I remember having several conversations pushing for the launch of lets hum 2the aforementioned second part of his first album production.

Often get the answer a You see, it’s a bit complicated, followed by a few smiles and a long conversation about local music that always ended in the origins of his wholesome identity and his influences. The dismissal bell used to be the start of one Show who at that moment brought him to the stage.

Many of his colleagues call him an incomparable person, who has influenced others who currently carry the flag of music in Guayaquil. After seeing the country’s music scene for a few years, I can attest to that. Aire del Golfo brought that atmosphere that all musicians started to discover. The party, the dancing, the floral shirts, the meticulous band, and the lyrics that gave you a message that impacted you more if you were someone who didn’t lend themselves well to partying, like me.

I remember highlighting that exact line from his songbook that says: Life is measured in seconds and hours.

It is a pity to say goodbye to a promising artist like Aire del Golfo, who roused many in the middle of the pandemic with an anthem like Standing, and even more so for a person as admirable as Diego Gallardo; a father, a son, a friend. However, as he himself called one of his songs, will now be present, the air that will always hum in the wave. (OR)