Participant by Ex Continent

“Una realitat que es fa insuportable” (a reality which becomes unbearable)


As humans, we are always involuntary participants in the events around us, often giving the impression of barely taking part in these events all the while, yet completely unable to avoid doing so.

Although “Participant” began simply as a full length album, the project was quickly informed and inspired by both ephemeral ideas, and factual events. The realization of these elements added the necessary texture to expand the material. At first glance, this juxtaposition may appear careless or without correlation, but through acute observation, fundamental links are revealed accordingly.

As the dawn of a new millennium arrives both as symbol and historical landmark, we are unaltered, and this effect can be felt in retrograde. As observers, we should perceive this phenomenon as a revelation. Now I wonder; does this realization trigger new perceptions capable of altering our consciousness?

Through this unconscious cognitive process of sifting through realizations (or perhaps illusions), I have experienced what can only be closely related to overexposure; constant consumption of media, video-games, religion, dreams or even hallucinatory experiences. Of course, now I wonder, what could unfold into a new parallel reality? “Participant,” raises questions.

In a timeline of embracing reactions, hearing ideas, and becoming fully immersed in studies dedicated to this very subject, yes, of course, I recognize there is a global awareness attached to this phenomenon.

Many testimonials upon first realization of this truth describe feeling an unrecognised sense of chaos due to exposure to unconnected realities. These experiences are not only induced by the overwhelming feeling that it is us experiencing them, but that they are indeed happening in real time around us.

These events occur not only in our immediate environment but are broadcasted directly into our consciousness by way of long distance communication. Our direct exposure to multiple forms of information as we consume massive amounts of data mutates our reality into something completely unrecognizable as a consequence of pure outside elements.

The musical component of “Participant” is a testimonial of development. “Participant” started as a work-in-progress reaching out to the masses, hoping to connect with individuals and groups alike. It is defiantly true that the audience for “Participant” has dealt with these issues as we all have in this life.

At a time when culture is either galvanized without sparing a moment for digestion, or over-conceptualized and limited to an elite few; “Participant,” generates pure and utter detachment.

“Participant” is a continuation, an observation that perception carries with it immense detachment. This detachment aligns itself with the rise of the individual, a loss of altruism, and the final blur of reality — raising the question: “Where do we find ourselves? How ‘real’ is our experience? Was our experience more ‘real’ before we were aware of these changes?” Each question is a tiny shattered visit to a different island of perception. An island where awareness of existence is questioned from ultra-local to macro-cosmic.

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