During a recent trip to Peru and Ecuador, I spent lots of time as a passenger in a car. The best thing about this was being introduced to pop culture through local radio. There were a lot of dated English hits—from The Eagles to Céline Dion covers—to Peruvian flute folk music, to anthems my friends Juan and Catalina sung along to from memory, having grown up there. And plenty of Shakira! I saw a Mana cover band at the Aguas Calientes Estadio Municipal on New Years Eve and Alex Alvear lead an amazing set at a house party in Guápulo (the Williamsburg of Quito). What struck me is how all songs, regardless of whether or not the lyrics are happy or sad, are sung to a cheerful, energetic beat—so that even the most somber of songs come across as pleasant and inspiring.
