PREMIERE | Otracami, "Fold"
The dawn of Otracami; photographed by Sai Tripathi.
Inward reflections are something we do, whether consciously or otherwise. Our thoughts are continuously analyzing the present and past, fretting and wondering about the future, comparing notes on what is happening in the moment to formidable events and memories of everything that has happened previously. These strings of inner meditations are how we reckon with ourselves, the world around us, our relationship with others, the connections to our communities, the places and spaces we inhabit in all the environments that are both familiar and strange. These reflections run deep when we are in transitory states, the points between A and B where our own motion propels the processor gears of the mind that spins a zoetrope slide show of feelings, desires, needs, wants, frustrations, anything and everything.
These visceral and personal streams of thoughts comprise the debut single “Fold” from rising artist Otracami. The Brooklyn by way of Davis, California multidisciplinary polymath Camila Ortiz announces the forthcoming album touching the stove coil that delivers songs of heart. Songs of experience. Songs of observations. Songs of sentimental stories. Songs that traverse the roadmaps of life, spanning coast to coast. Songs that collect the aphorisms that arrive as we live our lives. Songs inspired by the moments that have charged meanings. Songs of transcending the people we once were. Songs about who we are now. Songs about the road ahead. Songs that look back at the tributaries and trails we left behind. Songs about how we alter ourselves to fit the schemes of others. Songs about how we find ourselves through the noise and narratives of life.
The understated and introspective components of "Fold" illustrates the meditations on interpersonal attachments that move with the song's lyrical motions. Otracami illustrates a story that moves from a loud house party, traveling through city streets by bus to a partner's apartment where overactive streams of reflection reel with the processes of purpose and romantic relativity. From the tumult of revelry at the soiree to counting the blocks while aboard public transit; Ortiz ponders matters of self-sufficiency, self-care, self-reliance and other aspects of autonomy. The lyrics are sung serenely with gently strummed chords as the intricacies between interdependency and codependency are expressed in intimate intonations. “Fold” is a musical missive about how we shape ourselves to fit the form of others’ existences, musing about the requited and unrequited affections in questioning the measures of equality and egalitarian dynamics in a partnership. Otracami illustrates the complications of the human conditions, connections and relationship amid an NYC backdrop of metropolitan motions that lights up the night like the LED headlamp glow from an MTA vehicle that casts it’s luminescent beam upon the boulevards and asphalt thoroughfares up ahead.
The visual from Sai Tripathi showcases city movements, places of rest, abstract portraits framed by vintage windows and virtual bullfighting. The metaphor of Otracami acting as a matador up against animated, porcelain and footage of real bulls furthers the feelings of exploring the nature of entanglements and how they affect us on a barrage of different levels. "Fold" is about our battles with what we want, the people we love and the manners in which these relationships operate, evolve and impact our own lives. Like the Pat Benatar iconic adage of "Love is a Battlefield"; Otracami navigates the minefield of conflicts in the quest for a greater connection, a deeper spiritual communion and a more progressive and meaningful conversation.
Camila Ortiz, aka Otracami, provided some reflections on “Fold”:
Introducing Otracami; photographed by Morgan Askew.
I wrote “Fold” about one long night where I was trying to make it from a party to a partner's apartment, cataloging all the obsessive thoughts I was having along the way. I wanted it to feel wordy and circular, to show all the effort that goes into hiding a desire from others, from yourself. At the same time, the song is about surrendering to that desire when you feel like there's nothing else you can do. It’s the fold of giving in.
For the video, I worked with my close friend and collaborator Sai Tripathi. She wanted to play with bullfighting imagery and it felt right to me because of the way the song feels like this careful dance or fight for control: trying to lure somebody, taking tiny steps around them, because you’re afraid you can’t keep them close any other way.
Insights by Otracami; photographed by Sai Tripathi.
Sai Tripathi provided insights on the visuals for “Fold”:
I wanted the tunnel vision of a rushed walk home to be made really immediate through vignetted, layered scenes. Throughout the song, as she circles the same fears and obsessions, there are these half-registered features along her commute, like building motifs and sprawling shadows, that punctuate and flicker in time with her voice. I thought staging Camila as a matador against a barrage of porcelain bulls would flesh out all the song’s performative nonchalance and quiet agonizing.
"Fold" will be available everywhere September 15 with Otracami's debut album touching the stove coil available October 27.