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III. Oil & Water Don't Mix

Gustavo Cortiñas
Duration: 7:00

Chicago-based drummer and composer Gustavo Cortiñas takes on the climate crisis on his forthcoming album, The Crisis Knows No Border. Movement III, "Oil & Water Don't Mix" features the drummer alongside Mark Feldman, Jon Irabagon, & Dave Miller.

Our economy and society are heavily reliant on fossil fuels, yet our existence hinges on vital natural resources like water. This piece delves into contrasting liquid textures, rubato melodic counterpoints, and the interplay of dry and wet sounds to depict the conflict between these essential needs. It highlights how our short-term economic desires often overshadow sustainability, leading us to compromise our future by depleting water and resources in pursuit of economic growth.

"The music of this album is inspired by global warming and its far-reaching socio-political implications, which transcend borders and manifest in tragic humanitarian crises such as armed conflicts, poverty, famine, climate disasters, and immigration. While my previous projects delved into the history of colonialism and immigration, I now aim to confront the existential threat posed to our civilization by addressing this pressing issue, and the repercussions it has on our society and our humanity," shared Cortiñas. "My hope is to send a message of unity and empathy in these trying times, through music that makes the crisis and its urgency palpable, and a message that humbles us and finds our destinies intertwined in this world and on the path forward."