It is fair to say multi-instrumentalist and composer Patrick Shiroishi is unafraid to broach big themes. Previous releases like Descension, Hidemi and I was too young to hear silence have all in one way or another revolved around the internment of Japanese-Americans, but new full-length Forgetting is Violence takes things even further. Forthcoming this September via American Dreams Records, the album considers, amongst other things, racism in a wider sense. An attempt to wrestle with the phenomenon as both a historical fact and contemporary shame, and furthermore one which confronts the impossibility of living in this world without participating in its ongoing function. Acknowledging that if the desire to eradicate another is something allowed into the world, then no aspect of a culture can be said to exist above or beyond it. A truth more apparent now than ever as genocide is televised in real time.
The fittingly titled lead single ‘There is no moment in my life in which this is not happening’ offers a window into the poignant and evocative sound which results, Patrick Shiroishi building out his saxophone-based style with effects pedals, field recordings and vocals. Forgetting is Violent also features an impressive cast of collaborators including Aaron Turner (SUMAC, ISIS), Gemma Thompson (Savages), Faith Coloccia (Mamiffer) and Mat Ball (BIG|BRAVE), and here it is otay::onii who joins the track. Known as part of Dent and Elizabeth Colour Wheel as well her solo work, the Chinese artist has made a name with songs both striking and challenging and her vocals are no less attention grabbing here. The plaintive cry which seems to emanate from somewhere deep within the track, as though Shiroishi is summoning those who suffered before him.
Album artwork by Rob Sato, photo by Jordan Reyes