The Importance of Music in My Life

From a very young age, music has been part of my life. And right now, more than ever, I need it. I’m the father of this family we call ELGATO Family, and music helps me stay creative, think more clearly, and focus on the good things, especially the good things within myself.

Recently, I’ve started a journey into the past, using music as my time machine. It’s a simple, affordable way to revisit memories that shaped me. I've been on the hunt for the music of my childhood, starting with cassette tapes I used to record straight from the radio. Back then, growing up in Colombia, we didn’t have the money to buy brand new cassettes or vinyl. So we found our own ways of piratear la música (pirate Our Music) .

 One of my favourite stations was Radioactiva – El Planeta Rock. That’s where most of my music came from. Sometimes my friends would bring their tapes or CDs, and we’d copy music from each other. It wasn’t just about the songs—it was about gathering together, talking about life, and letting the music speak for us.

Now, I’ve started building a music corner in our home.

I’ve got a record player that also lets me play CDs, listen to cassettes, and even record my own mixtapes just like the old days. 

One of the tapes I’ve made recently is with my wife,  little compilation of our favourite songs. You can even listen to it on Spotify if you’re curious. There’s something magical about making a mixtape together it’s like wrapping up memories in ribbon and magnetic tape.

In my darkest moments, music has been a lifeline. When I feel like I’m falling into that black hole in my mind, music pulls me out like a superhero. It helps me think, helps me reflect, helps me remember who I am not just as a person, but as a father. Music reminds me of how much I matter not only to myself, but to my children too.

I’d love to hear from you. What does music do for you? Leave me a comment on social media let’s talk about it. In our family, music is everywhere. When we’re driving, it’s playing. When we’re home, it’s on. Even before bed, or while we sleep, music is always with us.

I love all kinds of music, but black metal has a special place in my heart. It’s how I rock my demons to sleep, it’s my lullaby and my fire. And you know what? One of the best things about going back to the past is popping into charity shops here in the UK.

For just a pound, I’ve been rebuilding my music collection. Slowly but surely, it’s growing. Who knows? One day Spotify might vanish, the internet might crash, but I’ll still be here, with my stash of tapes, CDs, and vinyl, ready to keep saving my life, one song at a time.

And finally, here’s something I’d love you to do especially those of you who know me well, and even those who don’t but want to join in: if you’re on Spotify, create a playlist for me. Pick songs you think I’d love or ones that you love and make me a Mix Tape. 

Just 90 minutes of music. Send it my way. I’ll listen to it at a café somewhere, and I’ll enjoy every second. It’s a simple way to connect. We spend so much time on social media that we forget what really keeps us going the beautiful little things that make us human. Something as simple as a cassette, a CD, or a vinyl record can bring us together. 

Send here: ELGATOFamily 

Written by Alberth MG,
Proud father of the ELGATO Family