The art and music of Garek J Druss (1980-2025)
OHR EYN SOF - Youth Eternal
2023 Debacle Records
Soft Fascination
2022 Debacle Records
Music For The Celestial Din
2014 Debacle Records
Working with Garek was one of the greatest joys in my life. I felt so blessed to be creating music with him. We had initially collaborated on a Saint Genet show over a decade ago. I was immediately drawn to his kindness, his perspective of life, and his thoughtfulness and attention he gave to everyone - truly the genuine article.
Garek invited me to his project A Story of Rats and from very early on I could see his devotion and intention in his artistry and beyond. It was inspiring to be better and put that same intent behind everything in life, not just our art.
I only first knew Garek as a synth lord (his words), but after suggesting he sketch out some musical notes, he came back to rehearsal with a fully detailed map of symbols and timelines indicating tones, waveform shapes and emotional colors. It was the most intricate illustration and description of a song I had ever seen, and clearly his craft was more than just music. From there on out, these line drawings became our sheet music, and I'm willing to say the best interpretation of music to illustration I've ever known.
From those early days, Garek became my music collaborator, touring cohort, life advisor, fellow Buffy and DS9 aficionado, my dearest friend and confidant for many blessed years. I'm so lucky.
Last year Garek and I were taking walks in Hahamongna Park, mostly talking about Captain Sisko, Jack Parsons and his son Aven's new Hot Wheel's collection. I told him of a new record label, Hologram Opera, I was creating along with Krissy Barker and Morgane Lhote. We wanted to be more than bound by just music releases, and we extended the invite to represent Garek's art with prints and distribution as he could make space for creating, healing and being with his family. I was honored that he said yes. But now, in his early and heartbreaking departure to the next realm, it's his light that we will help carry and remember. His artistic diligence meant so much work waiting in the wings. So much more still to come.
I look forward to telling his son Aven about his Papa, and the beautiful human being Garek was.
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