by on

Three years ago I started the Red Flower Press. Back then, I did not really know what I wanted to do with this space and, to be, as usual, very honest with you, this is always an issue for me, when I start writing.

“What do you want?”, I keep asking myself. Blogs are so ove! Noboby read them anymore, says the voice in my head. And yet., I keep writing my weekly music-related experiences. Why? Basically, because I want to tell you something, but have I really? Ever?

“Sure”, you will say, but I cannot trust you. Why? Because you are too kind, that is why! I need some unbiased evaluation made by the most unparcial judge: time. So, let us celebrate the third anniversary of The Red Flower Press by taking a look to what we have done so far.

Since Januay 15th, 2021 I have delivered over one hundred and forty chronicles. From the name of the page (reference to an episode of The Simpsons) to the farewell catchphrase (borrowed from the series The Prisoner), this space has always been my playground, the place where I spread my toys, so to speak.

Once a week I visit my playground. It is my place, my little house in the immense forest of the world wide web, my backyard. Here I talk freely about all the areas to which I can add something, such as literature, visual arts and, of course, music, which acts as a glue that holds these universes together.

Glue? Um… no, glue might not be the right term. Allow me to rephrase it: music is the thread that unites the different patterns. The final result? A patchwork quilt called Red Flower Press. Make yourself cozy and enjoy the reading!

I have carefully selected a very personal top-ten list. It includes some of the most interesting patterns created over these three years:

  1. The normal, the weird and the grand: Embracing uniqueness can be rewarding. Who needs normal when you can have grand? Expression is key.
  2. Perseverance will take you everywhere: The landing of the Perseverance on Mars landing evokes pride in human achievements, yet prompts questioning of human behavior during the pandemic.
  3. Made of gold: Do you have in your life someone, who is so important that is worth her/his weight in gold? Time for a family story.
  4. More intelligence? Ask me how: When was the last time you learned something new?
  5. Big mouth and the time machine: Hop on the time machine! (A reminder of authenticity and self-recognition.)
  6. Ugly Duckling and Superman: Family matters and other complex stuff
  7. Resumes, popcorn and champagne: What does your resume tell about you?
  8. Changing of the guard?: Pressure to work, scarce leisure, and the illusion of democratized fame challenge our digital reality.
  9. Not impressed: Reflections on the modern obsession with dazzling concert presentations. Has music been degraded to mere entertainment and overshadowed by visual spectacles in the age of social media?
  10. A Christmas present from the past: My dad, the unlikely hero

Last but not least, I would like to thank you immensily for your company. It is the nurture that keeps our beloved Red Flower always thriving. Long live you! Long live the Red Flower Press!

Be seeing you!

G.F.

by on

And there they are once again, folks. We always knew the moment would come but, somehow, we expected it to be different this time. Somehow. Well, we were wrong and here they are: the end-of-year retrospectives. Yay!… or, is it?

I must confess those recaps make me usually a bit sad because, it does not matter how much I have reached, I always had bigger plans on my mind when the year started. So, recaps work for me as an (unasked) update on the items in the list of resolutions we all make at the beginning of the year. How many promises were fulfilled? How much progress in our lives?

Not that I have problems with reassessments, not at all! If you read me frequently, and I bet you do, you know that a good part of our meetings are dedicated to promoting strategies on how to deal with changes in the itinerary, unforeseen events and the like. My motto is: Life is like jazz: you have to know how to improvise!

So what is the problem with recaps? Sincerely, I do not know how to explain it, but there is an melancholy air in such compilations of “the best moments of the year”, that makes me blue. Besides, they tend to vary between condescending (“we are all victorious”), and hysterically euphoric (“people are sharing your music in X different countries!”).

I frankly like observing the numbers, the statistics, and finding out the number of playlists in which I was included always puts a smile on my face. In short: I enjoy having access to the amazing amount of data that retrospectives contain, but I do not like the idea of making a spectacle out of it.

Actualy, the end of the year awakens feelings of contemplation in me. Maybe because it is my birthday month, for me retrospectives fall into the big package of “rethink your new cycle”, and to reflect I need introspection, which does not always fit with the current social policy of constant content share.

At least in my astral hell I would like to have a little time to digest the results of a whole year of hard work. I want to celebrate my achievements and think about what can be done, so as not to make the same mistakes. I want to return to my metrics without fear, aware of the place I occupy, without comparisons or competitions.

Would it be too much to ask?

Be seeing you!

G.F.