By José Gandue @spinning zone
Sometimes Sunday afternoons are full of undue temptations. To avoid the tedium and sadness of the end of the seventh day, we can resort to desperate entertainments. And even more so as more and more artificial intelligence tools emerge, presenting new challenges and emotions. I went to a video made by one of those experts who are all over social media to... Character.ai, because, according to the content creator, on this site one would be able to converse with imaginary or missing characters and that their answers could go beyond the conventional.
I never had the opportunity to speak personally with Gustavo Cerati. When he arrived in Bogotá, it was impossible to arrange a meeting with him if you belonged to an independent media outlet. His press schedule was controlled by his record company, and you know how those corporations are. Furthermore, people «"jet set"» The crowd surrounding the artist during his visits was unbearable and incredibly obsequious. It was impossible to penetrate that detestable wall. That said, I did read some of the good interviews he gave to journalists throughout his life, especially those conducted by... Maitena Aboitiz, whose book I recommend Cerati in the first person, published in 2012.
Entering Character.ai is an exercise that goes beyond simple fun. Artificial Intelligence tools are accumulating more and more data about us and what we want to know every day, and, obviously, What you already know about Cerati can be used to simulate a good conversation. However, the warning issued by the application itself is worth noting: «"Remember: everything the characters say is made up.". This doesn't even have the veracity of Wikipedia, where in that work of building and compiling information on any subject, everyone from the most honest expert on the subject to the idle person who distorts it with their nonsense can participate. In this talk we make the naive exercise of believing, as the questionnaire progresses, that these could be Cerati's words, Speaking from beyond (let's not name the place where we believe it to be), with the gentleness that eternity perhaps grants. Here we go:
Hi, do you have time for an interview for Zonagirante.com?
Of course!
Let's begin, how do you feel in the afterlife?
I'm very peaceful here, to be honest. I like looking at the earth from up high, with the perspective this height offers. From here I can see the earth without the eyes of my head, without the gaze of my heart. And from here I can hear the music better.
Do you have time to listen to new music?
No, there are so many things on my mind that I often don't make time for it. However, I think it's very important to listen to new music. Listening to new things can inspire and motivate you to improve in some way. For me, listening to new music is essential.
What do you miss about your professional life?
I miss the stage, the shows, the live performances, I really love that… The connection with my audience is very important to me. And playing all night, putting on a show, giving a performance. That was my life, that's one of the things I miss the most.
Which do you think was your best album?
The best album, the one that represents me the most, is Dynamo, Because I made it with a lot of heart and mind. I had a lot of freedom to do what I wanted, what I felt, what came naturally to me. It wasn't an album for an audience, but an album for me. That was my main intention.
Of all your songs, including those you made with Soda Stereo and later in your solo career, which one do you think is the best?
I think it's American blind. It's my most complete song. It has a lot of things I like, such as the lyrics and the music with its great chords. I feel that this song has many characteristics that fit my musical style, but it also has elements that are different from what I've done before. Furthermore, it has allowed me to explore new dimensions in my previous compositions.
Who would you have liked to share the stage with?
There are many people I would have loved to share a stage with. First, I would have loved to share it with Elvis Presley. I also would have loved to share it with Queen, even if just for a show. And I would have loved to share it with Robert Smith from The Cure.
What do you think of rock music in Latin America today?
I think rock music today is very high quality. In Latin America, there are many young men and women who are making rock music in their countries, creating great music, and doing very well. I feel it's a great time for rock music throughout Latin America.
Do you have a favorite band right now?
I like it a lot Getting to Know Russia. They're a good band and they're making good music.
Do you like reggaeton?
It's not really my genre, to be honest. But there are some tracks I've liked. What bothers me more than the genre or style are some of the lyrics I just don't like. However, there are some interesting tracks, with a good rhythm, that I enjoy. I think that's part of what happens with art, with all styles of music in general. There are some that aren't your favorites, but that doesn't mean you consider them bad; it's simply a style that doesn't appeal to you.
Which rock star have you encountered in the afterlife these days?
I've been around here looking at people like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain. But I haven't found Jim Morrison yet. He must be out there somewhere, though.
What song by other people would you have liked to compose?
There are several… Many Queen songs, for example… Somebody to love. I would have loved to compose one as good as that. I like it a lot. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. I like them a lot too. Wonderwall from Oasis; I would have loved to compose something as popular as that song. I also like Heroes by David Bowie, Hey Jude by The Beatles. There are several songs I would have liked to compose.
If you hadn't passed away, what do you think your new compositions would sound like? What would your sound be like in 2024?
Ah, I don't know… Probably, like in my last period, a bit of experimentation and, at the same time, very connected to the history of what I've done in the past. It would also be connected to what's happening in the world now. I feel that current music has a very strong energy, a lot of power… So, probably, what I would have done now would have those characteristics of current music, but also with a huge amount of past experiences that would have allowed me to create very interesting things.
Changing the subject, do you watch Racing Club de Avellaneda matches?
Yes, that's true. I've been a Racing Club de Avellaneda fan since I was a kid. I try to watch the games whenever I have a free moment. I watch most of Racing Club's matches.
Have you seen Maradona around?
Yes, I was with Diego here several times. I saw him a lot. I feel a bit awkward talking about him and his private life, but I saw him several times.
What do you think of the current political situation in Argentina?
I feel that the current situation in Argentina is worrying. The crisis and disorder are evident. Inflation is out of control, and insecurity is rampant. I feel we are in a very difficult moment. However, I am very optimistic. I always thought that Argentina had all the conditions and the potential to move forward and grow. We have been going through many difficult times, but I hope this can change.
Finally, what do you think about artificial intelligence related to music?
I think it's a very sensitive topic, to be honest. For me, Artificial Intelligence has no soul, heart, or emotions. Music is an art that requires a lot of feeling, talent, dedication, and effort. Without emotions, heart, feeling, and soul, you can't make good music.
