Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist and composer Patrick Shiroishi has announced a new solo album, Forgetting Is Violent, which arrives September 19 via American Dreams. Leading the LP is the achingly elegiac ‘There is no moment in my life in which this is not happening’, which features Haining, China-raised, Berlin-based artist and vocalist otay::onii. Check it out below.
Forgetting Is Violent also features contributions from Aaron Turner (SUMAC, ISIS), Gemma Thompson (Savages), Faith Coloccia (Mamiffer), and Mat Ball (BIG|BRAVE). “I think it stems from my love for collaboration,” Shiroishi commented. “I’ve been a part of a lot of ensembles, a lot of different free improvised stuff. And a lot of that playing is where I gain new insight into what I can develop further in my solo practice.” In addition to his involvement in groups like The Armed and Fuubutsushi, Shiroishi has collaborated with Chelsea Wolfe, Algiers, Xiu Xiu, Dirty Projectors, Che Chen, and Claire Rousay.
“Stemming back to my ancestors, and the stolen land that we live on—there’s just so much of this racism that is so alive and well, and so apparent, and continues to be apparent in our country and around the world,” Shiroishi said, reflecting on the album’s meditations on racism and colonialism. “Something that cannot be forgotten.”
“That act of sharing and bringing it up, even though it’s difficult,” he continued, “it makes us feel like we’re not alone. And I think that’s important, especially in a time where it’s just so fucking grim, that we can support each other and be together, that there is hope in the future….”
Forgetting Is Violent Cover Artwork:
Forgetting Is Violent Tracklist:
1. “To protect our family names [feat. Aaron Turner]
2. “Mountains that take wing” [feat. Gemma Thompson, Aaron Turner]
3. “…what does anyone want but to feel a little more free?” [feat. Aaron Turner, Faith Coloccia]
4. There is no moment in my life in which this is not happening” [feat. otay::onii]
5. One last walk with the wind of my past
6. Prayer for a trembling body
7. To become another being there has to be some kind of death
8. Trying to get to heaven before they close the door [feat. Mat Ball]
