Bhutan-born improvisational guitarist Tashi Dorji has released his album We will be wherever the fires are lit later in 2024. We contacted Dorji to find out more.
We will be wherever the fires are lit is a very uplifting statement that, presumingly, calls for a certain resistance against the states and units of power. What can you say about the title and its relevance to the current world?
The idea of dancing on the ruins of capitalism is very uplifting and the collapse seems imminent with each passing year. I am hopeful and the resistance is only clearer… we will destitute the world and “we will be wherever the fires are lit”.
Your music also often sounds hopeful about the future to me. Are you a hopeful person?
Hopeful in new possibilities of collective life of the undercommons and what it means to become ungovernable.
What can you say about the current political environment of Bhutan?
I only see Bhutan in the spiritual undulations of the land, the wind, prayer flags, the shamans, the monks, the farmers, the children, friends, family, the old buildings set as protected beings of the past.
The photographs were taken by Efrim Manuel Menuck, with whom you collaborated before. What can you say about your friendship?
EMM is a dear friend, a collaborator and an inspiration to me … I love him dearly.
One of my favorite lyrics that I came across recently is “Recorded music is the statue of a waterfall,” taken from the latest Mount Eerie album. How do you relate to that statement?
I can only speak as an improviser. Improvised music exists best in the moment of its creation…documenting this waterfall of unpredictable, volatile, beautiful sound making via recording is never enough…I`d rather experience the waterfall.
Derek Bailey once said “In all its roles and appearances, improvisation can be considered as the celebration of the moment. And in this nature improvisation exactly resembles the nature of music. Essentially, music is fleeting; its reality is its moment of performance. There might be documents that relate to that moment—score, recording, echo, memory—but only to anticipate it or recall it.”
I know you paved your way through different guitar genres back in the day before coming across the improvisation works of Derek Bailey. Can you name three hardcore punk acts you liked that changed your perception of guitar somehow?
His Hero is Gone, The Ex and Refused.
What are the last three songs you listened to?
Emma Ruth Rundle – “Return”, Arian Shafiee – “Hits Of West Coast Electric”, The Necks – “Bleed”.
Do you dream often? What did you last dream about?
I rarely remember my dreams.
You can check out Tashi Dorji’s Bandcamp profile here.
