He defines himself as "a dreamer, an inveterate beauty seeker, and a racist against bad manners" and, for some time now, assures that he has dedicated himself "to fighting to try to do only what makes me happy and trying to live from it. And, after much effort, I believe I have achieved it, although there is always room for improvement and a path to travel without ever resting on one's laurels." This is how writer and activist Jordi Prat operates, leaning on the bar, a large glass of White Label with ice in hand, after asking for some blues from the first half of the last century or, failing that, classic jazz to play in the background: "Sounds that never lie."
A proud teacher, cultivator of the classic sounds of American music, and author of two vibrant novels with an impeccable soundtrack, Loving Graceland and Prettiest Train (El tren més bonic), Jordi suffered a health setback years ago. "A problem for which I am now grateful for giving me the push I needed to leave my professional and even family comfort zone, and make decisions that, in the end, were not as traumatic as could be foreseen."
Thus was born Follow Your Dreams Tours, a musical travel agency specialized in guiding the public through all the paths where American music was born, grew, and developed, from Highway 61, or the Blues Route, to trips for lovers of country, soul, or classic rock and roll. Since he launched the venture, the regular assures, "I have never looked back, nor have I regretted anything. I look forward without fear of what others will say and ignoring all those who eagerly await my downfall."
Revolutionized Potentiometer
With a satisfied half-smile and a kind word always on his lips, Jordi Prat sips his whisky and smiles, while several regulars hover around him in search of an anecdote from his pilgrimages through the sound fabric of North America. "I always say that my current life is like a mixing board ---he explains---, where all the potentiometers go in the same harmonic direction. Sometimes I turn one up more, and on other occasions, it's another's turn."
--- And right now, which one do you have turned up?
--- With the recent opening of borders in the United States, reactivating travel is a priority for me. I am hoping to recover the spirit with which we began our journey years ago: we are renewing our website, content, and proposals.
In the literary aspect, he has not left his pen in the inkwell either and assures that he is involved "in a more informative project regarding novels", in addition to getting "a certain taste for translations". All in all, his potentiometers are "a bit revved up" these days.
A city carried in the heart
A native of Barcelona and a Barcelona fan from the Les Corts neighborhood, Jordi Prat moved away from the city years ago "for a matter of vital space, health and language... and mind you, I'm not talking about languages!". Even so, he assures that he carries it "always in his heart" and proudly reaffirms his place of birth and origin. "But I know that my next life stages are very far from here or, at least, that is my intention".
Saddened by a depersonalized city, there are aspects of Barcelona that the local abhors, such as that "it is currently the main gateway for drugs into Europe with apparent impunity and without anyone trying to do anything about it to combat or eradicate it. The policy of goodism is very costly in the short, medium and long term and, although they say that each community has the politicians it deserves, I do not believe that this city deserves the disastrous management of recent years. It is sad and lamentable".
On the other hand, as happens to so many Barcelonians, his love for the place comes out through its historical flank: "La Vampira of Barcelona, the Fossar de les Moreres and the siege of 1714, the knight tournaments that took place in the Passeig del Born, or more recent and literary, such as the addictive Cemetery of Forgotten Books, created by Carlos Ruiz-Zafón". Jordi vindicates all this historical cultural asset: "Look, for example, at the festivity of Sant Jordi. Where else can you find a day that combines love and culture? We should know how to export it to the whole world as something beautiful. And, instead, what do we project?", he sips the last drop of his White Label, before concluding with a lapidary: "I'll leave it there...".
--- By the way, do you want another whisky? Perhaps something to eat? We have savory, or sweet...
Then, a smile lights up on the local's face and he rubs his hands before uttering:
--- I always say that half of humanity dies from too much salt and the other half from too much sugar. I choose the sweet alternative!