Under the „Pierre Pressure“

Notes from the other (musical) life of a Primafila Correspondent.

Primafila Senior Editor Roman Elsener was invited to join a group of selected singer/songwriters to talk about his band The Roman Games, together with long time collaborators Fa Ventilato, on American-French performer Pierre de Gaillande’s „Pierre Pressure Podcast“.

By Roman Elsener, Primafila Correspondent and Senior Editor, Primafila New York

Humankind does not thrive on work alone, which is why I play music. It is a universe in itself that helps me along the course of my life in a unique way. When you are sad, pick up your instrument, and channel the emotions. If you are happy, hit the strings or the faders, and share the happiness. Music is a perfect communicator, and I have been blessed to meet so many great musicians in New York, all of them with their own vision of what music should sound like.

The Coca-Cola Formula

Famous drummer Jojo Mayer once compared his idea of making new music to the still secret formula of Coca-Cola – mix it up in different forms to give the audience an ever fresh taste. Another favourite drummer and sound artists of mine, Fa Ventilato, debates the very existence of art out of a given context. A third musician, Pierre de Gaillande, believes in the power of the word and in songs that transport the message via the combination of sound and lyrics – something I subscribe to.

Under Pressure

Pierre invited Fa and me to come visit his amazing recording Studio on California Hill in Upstate New York to talk about the power of music, friendship, the idea of political systems, and the role of global companies. The idea of “Pierre’s Pressure Podcast” is to have people talk about politics – I hope that comes out in the almost two-hour long talk. Please forgive us for pauses and misunderstandings – like the party representations of the Swiss Federal Councillors – and other inaccuracies, curse words, and mistakes. It’s mostly live, and we hope lively enough for you.

Listen to the Pierre Pressure Podcast here.