In this captivating interview, we delve into the creative mind behind the innovative musical project “X+Y=U” and the debut EP, “916“. From an impromptu piano session on a chilly winter evening to the fusion of ethereal emotions, digital art, and pained-poetry, the artist opens up about their vision and the collaborative efforts with video director HEADHEAD and painter Wojciech Wos.
At the heart of this project is a powerful message of love, embracing the beauty of reality, and the importance of human connections. The artist encourages us to cherish the present, seek the inherent prettiness in life, and appreciate the authenticity of our experiences. The intriguing short film, featuring an old man addicted to a VR experience replicating his youth, further accentuates this idea, emphasizing the need to accept our past and focus on genuine relationships.
How did the concept for “X+Y=U” come about, and what is the story behind it?
It was born from a moment of improvisation on the piano, on a cold Winters evening last year. I wanted to collaborate with a video director (in this case, South Korea’s HEADHEAD) to help bring the music alive with a stunning visual.
Can you explain the significance of the title “916” for your debut EP?
I would love to explain the significance but that would be exposing the magic. It has a sentimental value to me.
“We need to learn to move on and not get caught up with our past errors.”
What challenges did you face when creating music that merges ethereal emotions with digital art and pained-poetry?
I don’t think there were many challenges to be honest – I believed in the director’s direction for the digital art, and the artworks painter Wojciech Wos so it all worked out really… I’m very fortunate as I had a vision from the start and it took a little while to come together but we got there in the end.
What message do you hope to convey through the story of the old man addicted to the VR experience replicating his youth?
I think that the story we tried to tell with the visual was one of relevance to most: heartbreak. At some point in the future, we will be able to record our lives and look back virtually at our mistakes and experiences we made in life. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’ve had a lot of mistakes made to me; we need to learn to move on and not get caught up with our past errors. It’s going to be sad when we can look back and beat ourselves up over them.
“Reality is time in its current form; here, now, this moment. Love nature. Love the right people. Give, don’t always take.”
In your opinion, what makes reality inherently beautiful, and how do you think we can better appreciate this beauty in our lives?
Reality is time in its current form; here, now, this moment. Love nature. Love the right people. Give, don’t always take. Ignore beauty standards. Ignore temptation. Forget the dull plastic world of the internet. The world is pretty without human beings on it, and it’s still pretty with them on it, so go and seek that prettiness in your life. You deserve it.
How does the concept of reality vs. virtual reality in your short film highlight the importance of embracing authentic human experiences and connections?
The only thing we have in this world that’s worth living for is love. Love is not just an emotion; it’s physical. Reality will always beat the virtual reality world – unless you want to lose yourself in something that’s not real.
“The only thing we have in this world that’s worth living for is love.”
What role do you believe music and art can play in bridging the gap between the digital and real worlds, fostering a sense of unity and human connection?
Music is art. Art can be/is music. They’re one of the same. They’re colour, they’re frequency, they’re movement, they’re beauty. They are meant to be together, well, in my opinion they are. Nothing feels better than the hairs on your neck, arms and legs stand up – and stories in audial and visual form can heighten those senses.
What little things make you happy?
Doggos.
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