newsletter #2: nuestro camino // our path
Dear all,
our paths may or may not have crossed in this life, even though it’s more than possible it’s a yes if you’re reading this letter. My topic this time will be around “camino” which, to me, means path or way, but also journey, and that’s why it gains a special meaning in the context of the title of the single I’m releasing today with my band bodies, un violador en tu camino. That’s also why I’m choosing to put the focus on camino instead of violador.
You can listen to it on the following link: https://absil.one/violador-camino
And watch the clip made by the amazing Apocalypso: https://youtu.be/-oPAoUHMsqI
When and where is the beginning of the end, regarding rape culture? There’s not enough space in a letter to track back so much history, the history of rape and sexual violences, with all its magnitude, from all its perspectives. What I do know, is that until recent times, the focus has been mainly on identifying and naming violences. Naming systemic violences. Naming discriminatory behaviours. Naming rape. Naming sexual abuse. Acknowledging the ridiculously high level of violence we endure through our bodies. And what I am sure of is that right now we are at a turning point, and it’s so important to keep pulling forward, not to leave anyone behind. We want real sexual freedom for all, one that embraces sex, pleasure, fun, intimacy and all the beautiful things we can enjoy through our bodies, but doesn’t impose it, let it be a subtle or obvious imposition.
To me, real sexual freedom means equal access to pleasure, being able to drop the walls we build around us in order not to be hurt. It means getting to know each other truly, being able to listen to each other’s desires with no restraints and no feared consequences. It means not assuming any sort of ownership over each other’s bodies. It means accepting that sometimes, we can hurt someone even if we didn’t mean to. It means we don’t always know what we want or how we want it, and that’s okay. It means knowing that we don’t always have the tools to express or say our fears and limitations. It forces us to listen and be attuned with one another. In her podcast “Come As You Are”, Dr. Emily Nagoski defines sex like this: “everyone is glad to be there and free to leave with no unwanted consequences, plus no one is experiencing unwanted pain”. Both her homonym book and the podcast are great resources for those interested in this subject.
I chose to release this song on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, as its exactly six years after it was first performed by Chilean collective LASTESIS, on this same day in 2019. It quickly became a global hymn against gendered and sexual violence, and I see this version as both an act of remembrance and a celebration of anger as a force for emancipation, joy and freedom.
Copyright Nine Louvel. bodies live at Jazz9.
I’m writing after two weeks of resourceful time between Spain and Portugal, doing nothing (yes, it’s an activity by itself), reading, practicing, jamming and listening to some amazing concerts, all that while being surrounded by my very loved ones. Lucky, lucky me 🌞 So I’d like to share some of the stuff that’s been inspiring me through this period, dark period of transition between seasons and political hardship.
I went to see and listen to Coup Fatal by Rodriguez Vangama, Alain Platel and Fabrizio Cassol at Teatros del Canal. If this piece is ever represented near you, please go! Two hour trip that takes you places, I don’t like to say much about concerts of performances, just recommend them. I also went to listen for the second time to Igor C. Silva’s piece Sōma for quartet of improvisers, orchestra and electronics, featuring some Brussels friends. The piece has been recorded, I can’t wait for you all to listen to it. It’s a beautiful work that has taught me a lot on working deeply with electronics and having them as an essential part of composition, making acoustic and electronic textures coexist in a balanced and blended way.
Reading-wise, Canto yo y la montaña baila, by Irene Solà (it’s translated to English!) is an astonishingly beautiful book under the format of small tales that are all intertwined, transporting you to the Spanish Pyrenees in different times in history.
Favourite albums lately:
Big city life, by Smerz: https://smerzforyou.bandcamp.com/album/big-city-life
Økse: https://okse.bandcamp.com/album/kse
Resources
Books
The right to sex, by Amia Srinivasan
Clementine Morrigan fanzines and writings
Podcasts
I’d love to make these newsletters something bilateral and interactive, so please feel free to throw back at me some musical recommendations, albums concerts, books, podcasts, anything that has inspired you recently.
Yours as always, hoping to see you around, or hearing back from you,
ale
