Hezron Chetty gives grief its rightful place in the human condition on his new album – Texx and the City
South African-born contemporary violinist, Hezron Chetty, has always been a rebel in his community, never one to sit with just one genre of music, or even instrument, at the side of his chair, but with I am Death, I Am Breath, I Am Life he takes a moment of reflection, as a soliloquy of grief has given him pause.
I am Death, I Am Breath, I am Life is an album layered with grief – the grief of a divorce, the loss of a father and the loss of space. However this album, which was written whilst traveling between Italy, South Africa and Germany, never stops to be overtaken by it’s grief but rather continues to grow from it.
When first listening to I am Death, I am Breath, I Am Life I was in my car, the night a glossy haze amongst the street lamps. I was frustrated, the day had not been gentle, and so I attempted to, and reluctantly might I add, listen to the album. Within seconds The prologue “Composure”, a track layered with the realisation of a divorce on his doorstep, took over my mind and not only gave context to my frustrations, but also gave me a quiet justification to feel these feelings, experience them, and let them go.
A multimedia album by design, the tracks each have a companion piece of writing included in a book of the same title, and “Death” has a music video created by Werner Goss-Ross. “In weaving together the intricate tapestry of this multimedia project, each song serves as a chapter, a new page turning in the book of life, so to speak,” Hezron tells me.
The book also gives us another way of injecting the tracks with a more personable touch, as Hezron embarked on a mission to challenge himself in a way that he has never done so before. “In crafting this album and book, I grappled with the delicate balance between expressing my innermost struggles and creating something that resonates with listeners and readers,” he confesses. “There’s a certain pressure that accompanies such a profound project – the pressure to produce not just good art, but art that serves as a balm for others’ souls.”
A journey by design I am Death, I am Breath, I Am Life never once falters from its original intention, giving hope in the darkest of rooms, but it also never gives that hope too much room because ultimately, we must keep moving.
“In the end, I Am Death, I Am Breath, I Am Life stands as a testament to the power of authenticity in art,” Hezron says. “It is a testament to the courage to speak one’s truth, even in the face of adversity. And while the journey was wrought with challenges, the result is a work that resonates with sincerity, touching the hearts of listeners in its unapologetic honesty.”
The album is available on all streaming platforms and the book can be found on Hezron’s website.https://www.hezronchetty.com/music.
