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Projet du percussioniste canadien Brandon Valdivia. Içi un texte d'introduction en anglais que nous traduirons bientôt

“Mas Aya” is the solo project of Toronto-based percussionist Brandon Valdivia. A play on words, “Mas aya” combines the spanish term “mas allá” (“the beyond”) and Masaya, the town in Nicaragua when his Grandmother was born, a sort of metaphor for the interweaving of liberation and tradition within the music. Envisioned as a suite, “Pockets” contains 7 pieces in Valdivia’s personal introspective idiom which draws inspiration from a variety folk and experimental forms. Fusing elements of Colombian Cumbia, the Mbira music of the Shona people of Zimbabwe, Indonesian Gamelan, American Free Jazz, Psychedelia and 20th Century Western Music along, the music is executed on instruments from throughout the Americas (South to North) and Africa, with some electronic embellishments. The album’s title refers to a quote from Subcommandante Marcos in which he used the term “Pockets of resistance” to describe the Zapatistas, (who were among other similar pockets opposing Neoliberalism). This music and the community in which Valdivia performs is another form of this resistance, as it takes aim at the injustices, inequalities and environmental degradation of the planet which the Neoliberalism system breeds. This music is an invitation to become inspired to live using our hearts and minds, as opposed to our wallets.

Brandon is also involved in musical projects Picastro, Not the Wind, Not the Flag, and Pachamama and composes and performs consistently with Aluna Theatre. “Pockets” is Mas Aya’s first release.