Beautiful composition and performance, and a wonderful tribute to your friend. I don't think I have ever heard an ebow used on piano strings before. I have one, and use it on occasion with my guitar. It surprises me it is strong enough to affect piano strings.

Ein sehr schönes Stück! Excellent, ausdrucksstark und sehr gefühlvoll gespielt ... eine Lebensgeschichte in Noten ...

....The delicacy of a fawn's hoof or a missed smile in the opening bars;  followed by resentfulness.    Frustration, alienation.   Then bliss.  (My sophomoric assessment.  As though music should ever be assessed... Very beautiful Dika.).ric

VIDEO https://youtu.be/FDjNav6gvLw

"un-controlling" for cello, piano and two ebows composed by Dika Chartoff (ASCAP 2022) 

Dave Eggar, cello
Clare Longendyke, piano
Christian Amonson, recording engineer
Louis Ng, recording engineer

In memory and celebration of my friend Ben who was a wonderful friend to so many; amazing son, brother and father; a passionate surfer and sailor who lost his life to suicide after a long battle with depression.

During the opening, characterized as Poetico quasi senza mesura (poetic and unmeasured), the e-bow is used as an ostinato - a constant sound triggered by a magnet that vibrates the piano strings. Essentially, it’s a noise that’s calming and seductive at times, but much like depression, or tinnitus, it’s an unwelcome guest. The second part, giocoso (lively and humorous), is an innocent and technical interlude that culminates in climbing adrenaline; such as surfing a giant wave. Finally, Lento Irrealmente (slow and surreal) is a free fall of reverberating, vibrations and letting go. The e-bow is not present at that moment and perhaps a sense of hope, is restored.

un-controlling

Link for the videoclip with lyrics: https://youtu.be/HTvp1fr6ytI

I started writing Know Me Better in June 2024, right after listening to Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Tortured Poets Department. I was deeply inspired by its simple yet catchy melodies, but more importantly, by the way she tells a story or conveys a message through her songs. I wanted to create something in that vein, so I sat down at the piano, and the melody came to me surprisingly fast. The lyrics followed just as naturally—Know Me Better felt like an instinctive expression.

With this song, I wanted to explore the theme of appearances and superficiality, especially as portrayed on social media. I wanted to question what it truly means to be understood… But from the first sketches to a fully realized track, the journey was long, and it took the collaboration of several amazing talents to bring it to life.

Once the song was written and produced (by the end of August), I started looking for the perfect singer—and that’s when I found Jaime Deraz. I can’t thank her enough for lending her incredible talent and giving the song its true voice.

Then, after recording Jaime’s stunning vocals, my friend Freddie from MTM Productions stepped in to professionally mix and master the track.

Jaime and Freddie, an enormous THANK YOU to both of you for bringing so much to this project—it wouldn’t have been the same without you!


Credits : 
Song written and produced by Richard Gonfrier
Lead singer : Jaime Deraz ( https://www.youtube.com/@jaimederaz )
Mix and Master : Freddie Maier from MTM Productions 
Video : Cottonbro Studio (pexels.com)
Cover Artwork : Richard Gonfrier
Copyright SACEM 2025 - All rights reserved


Know Me Better (Feat. Jaime Deraz)

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“I don't remember my dreams too much. I hardly have ever gotten ideas from nighttime dreams. But I love daydreaming and dream logic and the way dreams go” - David Lynch
​
I love to express stories through music and explore the visceral space that surrounds them. Sometimes I’m interested in creating sound collages, or tapestries of sound that are varied in their nature but unified in their aesthetic aim. Other times I surrender to something lyrical. Most of the time, I feel compelled to make sense of the world, which is impossible. But, after some work, which includes frustration, and occasional eureka moments, I find deep meaning and satisfaction in my music, especially as I near the finish line and embark on a collaborative journey with fellow creatives. 

www.dikachartoff.com

un-controlling

Dika Chartoff

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