What are the highlights of this next festival?
RB: The festival is not yet closed at the opposite of what is usual. We had to make last-minute adjustments, so we didn't announce the full program. What I can say is that we will have the usual concerts at House of Seedlings, after the sessions at the Inn of Ponta do Sol and there are some parallel activities, this time with the University of Madeira and the Aneurysm a workshop in generative art during the week that precedes the beginning of the festival, then we have an audiovisual exhibition. This last component will be held at the arts center, the auditorium, with four Madeiran artists, Jerome Faria, Hugo Olim, Carlos Valente and Victor Magalhães, from November 30th to December 7th.
And the names in world terms?
RB: A relevant factor in terms of music programming on the first day, 30th of November, is the partnership with the largest publisher of this area that celebrates its 30 years of existence, in terms not only of mainstream music but also the most avant-garde, Touch. This structure is nuclear in this area and will present artists who are part of its recording label. We'll also have Mike Harding to give a lecture on the route of the brand and the musical industry evolution, at the first day of the festival, considered the birthday of Touch and at night he will assume the role of DJ in the after session. In artistic terms I cannot highlight anything yet, it's a balanced schedule with big names, not to the average viewer, but for who is within this area. If before this event was a way of spreading the music made in computer over these last ten years there has been a transformation, the program is more eclectic, born of the need to have alternative music in the island. This year's program reflects several trends in this area, ambient music, improvised, "film recording," i.e., natural sounds, which then mix forming a kind of sound sculpture.
In terms of musicians there was an evolution; it has grown in terms of participation, over these ten years?
RB: One of the objectives of this festival was not only bringing renowned foreign musician, but our concern has always been within our means to provide training to young people in the region. There is always a workshop that allows artists interested to learn something, have also been instrumental in the inclusion of artists from Madeira; we always have two seats reserved for national musicians, preferably one from Madeira in the line-up. This year, incidentally, is not presented for the second time a local artist, the representation will be held through the exhibition. We have two Portuguese artists, one of them is a veteran, prestigious internationally with many years of history in the alternative avant-garde Portuguese music, which is the Carlos Zingaro, he will bring his trio and a French artist as a guest on the last day, we will present a musical project based in Braga, called Palmer Eldritch is a duo, which is built by Miguel Guimarães of Mao Morta, a renowned artist and one younger musician. Portugal has always had some evolution in these arts unfortunately goes unnoticed. Carlos Zingaro, simply quoting an example, makes improvised music, with roots in jazz for many years; he takes the name of our country up out there as others. There are also emerging names, due to the innovations in technology, which have been claiming its place in and out doors. What I see in these last years, ten to be precise, is that the Portuguese music is in good health and it is recommended.
In terms of Madeiran musicians?
RB: Madeira is an island; everything passes through its geographic isolation and the fact of being peripheral. With a population of about 200 thousand people in this particular sector is only a small percentage that cultivates an interest in these areas, in a city with millions of inhabitants this tribe represents a lot of people here to sample of this universe is reduced, not only in terms of public but also musicians. The scene ten years ago indicated half a dozen potential artists interested, just one gave its first steps creating a career out of Portugal that is Jerome Faria, in experimental electronic. In the video we had Hugo Olim and others from different pathways, ten years later, we continued with these two musical references, we have the same interest one, but unfortunately they cannot be exclusively devoted to this area. However, it turns out that there is a new generation that has grown up with the festival, which I hope has been drinking this influence and will begins to take its first steps. There is the prospect of creating a regional center, and as cultural agency are willing to support these young people in the future and that someday the may be part of the initial alignment of the festival.
