Memoirs of a Damned (18)

The composer years (11)

A paper and....voulá: the art. El mundo de Hojyo Takashi (Hojyo Takashi´s world) 2012

The apotheosis of the previous year was followed by a more restrained work.

At this point, it should come as no surprise that I'm passionate about the traditional music of the corners of this magical planet. Just look at my discography.

Takashi is an origami artist, and as one artist to another, I wanted to recognize his talent in this album. I'm not even sure if he's aware of it or has any opinions on it.

I delved deeply and profusely into Japanese musical culture, both traditional and classical, and, as I often say, I'm not Japanese, nor is this an album that represents them. It's a personal vision of their culture.

I don't have good nonmusical memories of that year; I was alive, and that was enough. In all likelihood, they were disastrous, if they coincide with what's been said here, because the moments in which everything happened are vague. I had to take on the full-time care of my mother, her mental health worsened by a stroke. My younger sister temporarily took on that role and counted on my support in whatever she needed. When she couldn't take it anymore, like someone getting rid of a sack, she forced me to assume that responsibility entirely. My romantic relationship was on the way to falling apart, with no one caring about the meaning of my life, not even myself. I don't know how, in those unfortunate circumstances, an inner force drove me to compose.

Added to this whirlwind of events, more or less accurate in time, that were happening on a personal level and overwhelmed me, was the resignation of being a damned, failed artist, a prisoner of his life's dissatisfactions.