MUSIC A MANIFESTATION OF SPIRIT (1)
ALEJO NOBILI, this young man from Buenos Aires, Argentina has been playing bass guitar since the age of 15 and double bass guitar since 18. In the last few years, he’s been focusing more on piano, composing different music and playing with different bands from rock to jazz. He also studies Indian classical music and plays Sarangi. He’s presently working on his first solo project with his own compositions and is planning to record an album.
But there is more to this very wise 22 year old man, and I’ve decided to publish his article in two parts. Part one this week and the rest next week. Alejo, welcome and thank you for accepting to participate in this project, your answers are full of wisdom and can teach us a lot. So here is
PART ONE
No. 1) What is music to and for you?
Music is a manifestation of the spirit, one of the many ways we can express our most inner and real self. I see all forms of artistic expression as different ways to show other people what’s on the “inside” of every one of us. Music is the artistic expression I feel the most comfortable with. I think I really enjoy it because it’s not tangible, there’s always this ambiguity with the fact that it’s “just sound”. And well… it is just sound! The thing is that when we listen to these organized sounds, they affect us in a very “special” way… so special that it’s very difficult to explain what is it. So then again, a lot of ambiguity, and I love that. Another thing I love about it is the power it has to unite people; to take many people –at the same time- to the “same place”, I mean to the same state of consciousness, where you can’t explain what’s really going on, but most people feel it’s at least better than their “everyday” activities… it feels “more real”, doesn’t it? I believe that this feeling is nothing less than connecting with our “real” self, which is not our body and not even our minds, it’s something that goes beyond words, beyond thoughts… it’s something you have to experience to understand, and I believe everybody can experience it.
No. 2) What inspires you?
My main source of inspiration is life itself. I love life, but not in an “attached” way, or a “fear of death” way… I love it because it’s like a dream. We all think we understand at least “some things” about life… but most of us know nothing about it. It’s like we’re on a train, and we have no idea where it’s actually going. But what we know is that it’s going fast, and it’s not going to stop, at least not until we die. And this vision of life it’s a bit tragic, don’t you think? most people live like this every day, and I don’t mean this in a metaphorical way… they actually do, and nobody’s going to tell them they’re wrong… at least not while they have money! They can’t be wrong if they have money! So well… I don’t “buy” this kind of life and I don’t live like that. I believe life is about helping others, and it’s easier to help when you’re doing something you love. And that’s probably what inspires me the most, the fact that artistic expressions can help people actually feel better, know themselves better… it can help people realize that happiness is not something you look for, it’s something you decide to experience, it’s life itself.
And in a more concrete way, I can say that most of the things that inspire me about life are the little details… my girlfriend, love, my family, the wind, the rain, faces, trees, cats and dogs… everyday life.
No. 3) When you are playing, creating, not performing, where does it take you? Where does your mind (spirit) travel?
The exact feeling I can’t describe, but I can say it’s a feeling of tranquility, very similar to the one I get from nature, like mountains, forests, rainy seasons, the sun… it’s a quiet and lovely place.
No. 4) Do you think music, visual art and health are related and if so, how do you see that?
As I said before, I believe all forms of artistic expression come from the same “source”, which is our most “inner self”. And yes, I believe they are totally related with health. Nevertheless, I have to say that for this statement to become true, you have to believe it, to feel it. I mean, if you believe your health is bad because you are an “unhealthy person”, then probably this is not going to change by listening to any music nor by watching a movie and not even by staring at a Picasso original… maybe you’ll forget about your health issues while doing these things, but after a while you’ll “remember” how bad your health is. So I think the relation between all of these it’s up to you.
For this to work there has to be a commitment from the artist to his own artistic expression and to the public; and then, a commitment from the listener/spectator to the artistic expression and to the artist. To sum up, both the artist and the public have to take this seriously, and I don’t mean “wearing-a-tie-and-suit” serious, I mean feeling that this connection is real.
I personally feel healthier not only by listening to the music I like and
attending to music concerts, but also by practicing daily meditation, by eating lots of fruits and vegetables, by cooking my own food, by reading lots of literature, watching movies… so you see, for me it’s not only about “music, visual art and health” going together in one direction, but about everything you do in life. I believe that the way of having a healthy life relies on the importance you give to the “connection” with your inner, real self and with nature (which are actually the same), and at last but not least, with everybody. I think music and visual arts can surely help anyone who believes that this “connection” exists. And the ones who don’t believe it… well, I really hope they can manage! If some day they change their minds, they’ll surely find lots of real artists waiting with their arms open to help them find their way. =)
No. 5) When you are playing for yourself, not performing, how do you feel?
It’s a funny feeling, it’s like talking to yourself but without talking… getting to know yourself a little bit better with every step you take in the creative process. When you have lyrics it’s even more easy to see… you say things which might be answers to your own questions. So maybe I can say that it’s a feeling of really getting to know yourself, which is kind of exciting, but at the same time I feel it’s really important to have in mind that you always have to “create something” and then “move on”. I mean… stick to an idea for a while, if you feel it’s good, then make a song or whatever… and then let it go. You’ll have the chance to reconnect to that same feeling each time you play the tune.
TO THE READER :
Part two of this amazing article will be published next Friday, stay tuned.
Alejo’s links:
http://www.myspace.com/alejonobili
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Comments
Loved your article and views on music and
life. Much to agree with here…… Especially for me receiving according to our belief of ourself. Thank you for sharing your wise and balanced views ….Enjoyed Looking forward to more….Cecelia
.-= Cecelia Gay´s last blog ..Sometimes Lovers, Sometimes Friends =-.
This young musician is always learning something new, playing music, reading, watching movies, meditating…I know him very well, because I’m his proud mother.
I’m an artist too and I’ve enjoyed the article so much.
Thanks Michele for your nice website and your work!
keep on rockin’ !!
that is real rockin
why i’m writing in english?
Loco, vamos a cambiar el mundo!!
He disfrutado mucho tu entrevista!
Tienes una gran sensibilidad y espero que puedas realizar tus deseos.
Un saludo
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