Lara thrived in the night, and in the darker corners of the city. I was surprised to learn this, after hearing in his melodies a (bitter) sweetness, a lightness, and a polish that doesn't seem to reflect his milieu. I began to imagine that his music was loved for its ability to shine a light on, and elevate the people and activities going on in the bars and brothels he frequented. He was himself a farolito in his time.
farolito.
