FACTS:
1: urban life and how people are turning automatized
2: global warming
3: fires and Portugal
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
My biggest inspiration is listening music, the sounds around me and some kind of energy that comes into my hand s when I’m playing. Its not very rational and scientific.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I started making music after going to the cinema when I was 13 and listening to Once Upon a Time in America soundtrack. I started with piano composing. After that I started playing drums and other instruments in rock band s and I’m doing it for 27 years.
3. What are 5 of your favorite albums of all time?
It’s a really difficult question. I might answer albums that were important in my life as artist.
If I Die I Die – Virgin Prunes – I was 14 when I heard it for the first time and it changed my perspective about music.
White Album – Beatles – must listen at least once in your life. I did several times.
Your Funeral my trail – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds -the first and after I listened to all the work he has been doing, including some soundtracks.
Protection – Massive Attack – It was a different sound coming to my musical universe.
“Vrioon” – Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto – each note and sound are important and is a perfect combination between music and electronics. That’s my perspective about composing.
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
For me Berlin is a city that is part of my imaginary. In Portugal we learned in school all the history around cold war in the world and Berlin was very important and symbolic for us. Later on I started listening, seeing and reading about all the art scene on the 80’s, when I was really discovering new things. So, its a city I associate with arts, new ideas, lots of creativity and friendly people.
5. What’s your favorite place in your town?
I love to be in a beautiful bookstore called “centesima pagina”(centesima.com). Very beautiful, with a splendid garden with very kind people working there.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would do photography. But, sincerely, with no music I think earth would be really an uninteresting place to be.
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
Ryuichi Sakamoto – async. Its somenone who I really admire, probably with whom I would love to work with, and this record is really good.
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
With someone who I admire as artist, doesn’t have to be musician. Specially must have to be someone who I really enjoy to be with. I hate to work with people with whom I don’t like to go for dinner.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
Well, after 29 years playing is difficult. I may refer the show I just did with my band – Mão Morta – and a contemporary music ensemble – Remix Ensemble from Casa da Música. We played for around 10000 people in Oporto city center and it was fabulous having so many people enjoying our not so commercial music. When you live in a Society where you are always being injected with easy and permanent need of happiness, easy listening music, so you can’t and shouldn’t think to much, it’s good to have a moment like this one.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Very important. Technology allowed me to do a lot of things that I couldn’t in the past. I work a lot with people who doesn’t live near me so it’s really important. Also, with technology I was able to compose for cinema (which were my first interest when I started composing), theater, art exhibitions. Nowadays I already use it on stage, like in the project I will present in Berlin and its very good because you can easily travel with it and play anywhere.
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
Yes I have 1 brother and 2 sisters. They are ok with it, but except my younger sister, they really don’t appreciate part of the work I do. Always thought it was a good hobby for the youngest boy in the house.
António Rafael will appear at our Kiezsalon on 4th October 2017.
