For Bass Drum and electronics
I find myself here, closely, indagando en las afirmaciones
I find myself there, roaming, tanteando entre soluciones
Soy esto que escribo, struggle and sensuality
Soy aquello que sueño, presence and absence
Commissioned by Jordan Walsh, this work for bass drum and electronics explores the complexities of identity. While Jordan and I share a Hispanic background, our lived experiences differ: Jordan is connecting with his Mexican ancestry now as an adult, whereas my connection is ever-present as an immigrant. The narrative we weave is one of resonance and nostalgia, articulated through the drum’s flexible vocabulary of strikes, scratches, and rolls. We further expand this dialogue through the computer, a “metacultural” device offering a vast landscape of sonic possibilities. The piece is also informed by the batá drumming of Santería; in this Afro Caribbean tradition, drummers use their instruments to speak directly to the Orishas, who communicate solely through the language of the drum. For this work, I wrote a short poem in Spanglish addressing the duality between “here” and “there,” and between reality and dreams. At the end of the piece, the text blends with the bass drum to give the instrument a voice and to elevate the meaning of words.
Listen to the recording on the album Short Stories on all platforms!
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