
Erika Ender
Photo by Dimitry Loiseau
Quarantine Diaries: "Despacito" Co-Writer Erika Ender Is Getting "Back To The Basics"
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music industry, the Recording Academy reached out to a few musicians to see how they were spending their days indoors. Today, "Despacito" co-writer Erika Ender, who just released a Quarantine-themed single "Back To The Basics," shares her Quarantine Diary.
Sunday, April 12
[8 a.m.–10 a.m.] I usually wake up around 8:00 am, do a 30-minute meditation, if not in bed, out in the balcony to get a little of vitamin D. Then, do some training online, with my personal trainer, who's been creating ways of keeping me working out using water bottles and whatever we have handy. :-)
[10 a.m.–12 p.m.] After taking a shower, I have a smoothie (I mix some fresh fruits like banana, strawberry, papaya or pineapple and, sometimes, add some chia seeds or kale). Then I usually have a conference call with my team, since we are all working remotely, from home. Depending on the day, I start either working on ongoing matters of Erika the singer, the songwriter, the philanthropist or the producer/entrepreneur. Sometimes it feels like I need as much arms as an octopus, but I enjoy so much, each facet, that I don´t see myself only working on one of them. So I need lots of organization to make sure each project has the right amount of time and attention to get the best result, and my team helps me to achieve that. Today will be promo day.
[12 p.m.–6 p.m.] Since I just released my new single "Back To The Basics" ("Cosas Que Echo De Menos"), today we had some interviews online for different media platforms . I'm sharing the need of spreading a message of love and trying to use this song as a tool for us to reconnect with the essentials in life, in such a vulnerable moment. I think we all need to do so, and make things better inside and out, when this quarantine moment ends. Between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., I stopped for lunch (today I had vegan chili beans) and went back online for the next interview.
[6 p.m.–8 p.m.] After finishing all interviews I stopped to have some dinner and then got prepared to go online at 7:00 p.m. (ET) on my instalive #EriKonversa (EriKonverses), a space I created to connect with collegues of the music and entertainment world, where, three times a week, we share their inspirational journey with our followers, and all they´ve learned through their life path and career experiences. Today my special guest was the amazing songwriter Desmond Child.
[8 p.m.–12 a.m.] After finishing EriKonversa, I get to check some e-mails, organize the next day, talk to my family and friends, before going to bed and, then, around 10:30 p.m, I take a shower and lay down to either watch an uplifting movie or an interesting documentary, or read something until I fall asleep around 12 a.m.
This is what's going on during these quarantine days… I'm by myself, so, trying to be as positive and productive as possible. I do miss traveling and being close to my loved ones, but I do understand this is something we need to do in order to take care of ourselves and the whole world. I hope this moment becomes a wonderful lesson and we all become better human beings after understanding that this is just one big home called planet earth and we have to be the best version of ourselves to get the best out of it and each one of its living beings. Stay safe people. This shall pass… Love and peace.
If you wish to support our efforts to assist music professionals in need, learn more about the Recording Academy's and MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
If you are a member of the music industry in need of assistance, visit the MusiCares website.