I went to bed quite late. I had a video Zoom call with a music business partner based in Tokyo, so it’s not the most friendly of all time zones to manage when your body pressures you to go to bed “early, after what felt like a particularly exhausting day, both physically and emotionally. But with my upcoming project about to be released worldwide, it was important for me to make that call personally. If I’m blessed to have a wonderful management family to represent me now, I know it makes a whole lot of difference for most of my promo accomplices when I’m the one they will initially talk to directly, and Japanese people have that beautiful sensibility. They have a sort of “old school” relational connection based on a direct and personal approach, which I truly like, as it gives an intimate dimension to the collaboration, rather than keeping it a cold and unidimensional business transactional affair. It’s a true partnership and it’s much more engaging for everyone. I saw it as an incredible privilege for me to have the opportunity to explain the heart and soul of my new endeavors. I could answer whatever questions they might have had and could define a little more the specific nature of the songs, the general essence of the album as well, and what I’m envisioning in terms of reach out, all while remaining in a wonderful position to welcome any of the new ideas and concepts others might have to serve the project, which for me is the ultimate goal. Therefore, it was a refreshing conversation to have, no matter how late, or early, I hung up… life, life, life.

What’s interesting is the fact that my call was the perfect example of what I was sharing with Mikko over dinner regarding my vision of “success”, whatever I’m involved in: collaborations, having a robust operation plan and several adjustment fail-safes that might come handy as your creative journey takes off. But as much of an amazing plan you might have, for me, it all goes back to the people, as they are the very center that holds everything together and without an inclusive perspective, it’s only a sterile vertical type of leadership. You might be lucky once in a while to have such a “strong” directive approach, but I believe in the empowering impact of establishing an open and cooperative horizontal type of teamwork. It’s like being in a band in a way; if you don’t allow others to express themselves they won’t be able to grow personally and eventually contribute collectively. The key, and that is always the tricky part, is to surround yourself with individuals who are as entirely determined to evolve and eagerly disposed to be transformed by the process as you are. That’s a very difficult venture to find kindred spirits in that sense, but when you do, possibilities are suddenly becoming limitless, and so is your inner growth. I think we are slowly getting there as a band…