Cesk Freixas
{{Short description|Spanish singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Cesk Freixas
| image = Cesk Freixas.jpg
| landscape = yes
| birth_name = Francesc Freixas i Morros
| birth_place = Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, Catalonia
| genre = {{flatlist|
- singer-songwriter
- protest
- folk
- Nova Cançó
}}
| occupation = Singer-songwriter, politician, writer
| years_active = 2004–present
}}
Francesc Freixas i Morros (born 1984, Sant Pere de Riudebitlles, Alt Penedès, Catalonia, Spain) is a Catalan singer-songwriter. Freixas has released a sampler, seven albums, and a series of covers of international singer-songwriters as a contribution to the revitalization of the Protest song in the Catalan-speaking countries.
Biography
Freixas started performing as a member of a Sant Sadurní d'Anoia based band called Pangea. They did mainly rock-song covers.
His first solo performance took place in January 2004 in Igualada. In April 2004, he performed alone for the second time and used the live recordings for the sampler.
Freixas' first album appeared a year later, in 2005: Set voltes rebel (Bullanga Records) (Seven Times a Rebel).
In 2005, together with members of the fairly well-known band called Inadaptats, Freixas created and performed a show to pay homage to the Valencian singer-songwriter Ovidi Montllor.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/785/toti/soler/feliu/ventura/membres/obrint/pas/inadaptats/darrer/homenatge/ovidi/montllor/des/oacute/alternatiu|title=Enderrock.cat: Toti Soler, Feliu Ventura, i membres d'Obrint Pas i Inadaptats, en el darrer homenatge a Ovidi Montllor des del món alternatiu|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
In 2006, Freixas uploaded a set of covers of international{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/12157/aniversari/companyia/projecte/mut|title=Enderrock.cat: L'aniversari en companyia de Projecte Mut|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} singer-songwriters including Silvio Rodríguez, Víctor Jara, Ovidi Montllor, Raimon, and Bob Marley, under the name of Les veus dels pobles lliures (The Voices of the Free Peoples).{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/1375/cesk/freixas/penja/sis/can/ccedil/ons/internet/homenatge/veus/dels/pobles/lliures|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas penja sis cançons a internet en homenatge a 'les veus dels pobles lliures'|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
The next two albums have a slightly more modern sound and include some pop-rock songs with a touch of electronic music: El camí cap a nosaltres (The Path Towards Us){{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/1735/cesk/freixas/recorre/cam/iacute/cap/nosaltres|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas recorre 'El camí cap a nosaltres'|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} (RGB Supports, 2007), and La mà dels qui t'esperen (The Hand of those who await you) (Temps Record, 2009).
The fourth album, Tocats pel foc (Touched by the fire){{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/6324/cesk/freixas/prepara/tocats/foc|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas prepara 'Tocats pel foc'|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} (Temps Record) appeared in 2012. It features a more live-like sound, with a significant presence of Acoustic guitars. Freixas described it as a homage to Manuel de Pedrolo.{{Cite news|url=http://www.naciodigital.cat/noticia/44520/cesk/freixas/pedrolo/referent/independentisme/esquerres|title=NacióDigital: Cesk Freixas: "Pedrolo és un referent de l'independentisme d'esquerres"|last=NacióDigital|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
In November 2013, Freixas published his first book: Paraules per a Gaeta (Words for Gaeta), thanks to the Publishing Cooperative Tigre de Paper.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/4156182/20131115/paraules-cesk-freixas-gaeta.html|title=Les paraules de Cesk Freixas per a Gaeta|last=associats|first=Partal, Maresma i|work=VilaWeb.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
Protesta, the fifth album appeared in May 2014:{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/10743/protesta/cesk/freixas/auditori|title=Enderrock.cat: La protesta de Cesk Freixas a L'Auditori|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} under two formats:{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/7872/cesk/freixas/gravara/cd/dvd/directe/2014|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas gravarà un CD+DVD en directe el 2014|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} a CD with unedited material and also a DVD of the concert marking a decade of performances.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/12109/cesk/freixas/folie/sr/chinarro/concerts/encisadors|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas, La Folie i Sr Chinarro, concerts encisadors|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/11889/primer/final/gira/cesk/freixas|title=Enderrock.cat: El primer final de gira de Cesk Freixas|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} The concert had taken place just after the death of Freixas' father.{{Cite news|url=http://www.andreuenc.cat/cultura/2016/11/13/el-cantautor-cesc-freixas-viu-el-seu-concert-mes-dificil-i-emotiu-al-cicle-encisat|title=El cantautor Cesk Freixas viu el seu concert més difícil i emotiu al cicle enciSAT!|work=Andreuenc|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
Freixas has so far performed over 1500 times.{{Cite web|url=https://ceskfreixas.cat/|title=CESK FREIXAS|website=CESK FREIXAS|language=ca-ES|access-date=19 May 2017}} In 2015, he was awarded the Catalan Album of the Year Prize by the Radio Station Ràdio 4,{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/10015|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas guanya el Disc Català de l'Any de Ràdio 4|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} as well as gaining popular recognition; he has won several Enderrock Awards including for Best DVD/Documentary.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/11089/palmares/historic/dels/premis/enderrock|title=Enderrock.cat: El palmarès històric dels Premis Enderrock|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
The sixth of Freixas' albums, Proposta, was launched in 2017{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/12605/cesk/freixas/transportant/esperit/terra|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas, transportant l'esperit d'una terra|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ccma.cat/tv3/alacarta/tria33/cesk-freixas-conversa-amb-pau-benavent-sobre-el-seu-ultim-treball-proposta/video/5658451/|title=TV3 Interviews Cesk Freixas|website=ccma|access-date=19 May 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.elpuntavui.cat/cultura/article/19-cultura/1113890-cesk-freixas-presenta-la-seva-proposta-a-girona.html|title=Cesk Freixas presenta la seva 'Proposta'a Girona|last=Castillón|first=X.|work=El Punt Avui|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} when Freixas became a father.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rac1.cat/programes/el-mon/20170328/421257203810/proposta-pare-filla.html|title=Cesk Freixas estrena disc i paternitat|work=RAC1|access-date=19 May 2017}}
In 2019 Freixas is presenting his seventh album: Festa Major. {{Cite web|url=https://ceskfreixas.cat/2018/11/28/festa-major-el-nou-disc-de-cesk-freixas/|title="Festa Major", el nou disc de Cesk Freixas|last=ceskfreixas|date=28 November 2018|website=Cesk Freixas|language=ca|access-date=3 January 2019|archive-date=4 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104021345/https://ceskfreixas.cat/2018/11/28/festa-major-el-nou-disc-de-cesk-freixas/|url-status=dead}}
Cesk Freixas has also contributed to several albums either cooperative{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/2169/cesk/freixas/pau/alabajos/presenten/avui/gr/agrave/cia/venim/nord/venim/sud|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas i Pau Alabajos presenten avui a Gràcia Venim del nord, venim del sud|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/7494/cesk/freixas/roger/mas/protagonistes/salvem/emporda|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas i Roger Mas, protagonistes del Salvem l'Empordà|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} or by other artists, such as Projecte Mut's 10 anys i bons, #paualpalau by Pau Alabajos, or En les nostres mans, by Andreu Valor.
Political and cultural activities
Cesk Freixas is a member of two political organizations within the Catalan National Left: Candidatura d'Unitat Popular and Coordinadora Obrera Sindical.{{Cite web|url=http://www.latornada.cat/ca/protagonista-67/cesk-freixas|title=Cesk Freixas: 'Si volem crear coses noves, necessàriament les haurem de crear amb un somriure' {{!}} El protagonista de la setmana|last=Tornada|first=Revista La|website=www.latornada.cat|language=ca|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507234538/http://www.latornada.cat/ca/protagonista-67/cesk-freixas|archive-date=7 May 2017|url-status=dead}} Cesk Freixas has also expressed his support to Palestinian activists,{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/1564/cesk/freixas/marwan/cantautors/solidaris/amb/palestina|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas i Marwan, cantautors solidaris amb Palestina|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} the Catalan culture and language,{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/1416/equador/correllengua/amb/dijous/paella/cesk/freixas|title=Enderrock.cat: A l'equador del Correllengua amb Dijous Paella i Cesk Freixas|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/8200/sis/hores/camp/nou|title=Enderrock.cat: Les sis hores del Camp Nou|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} and tackling poverty{{Cite news|url=http://www.ara.cat/cultura/Cesk-Freixas-gironines-treballen-Strenes_0_885511587.html|title=Cesk Freixas dóna veu a entitats gironines que treballen per la cohesió social en un concert únic del festival Strenes|work=Ara.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} among others.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/6521/cesk/freixas/pau/alabajos/compromesos|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas i Pau Alabajos, compromesos|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
His political engagement{{Cite news|url=http://www.ara.cat/opinio/Cesk-Freixas-representat-Teresa-Forcades_0_752924721.html|title=Cesk Freixas: "Em sento representat per Teresa Forcades"|work=Ara.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} might explain why his concerts have attracted political criticism and allegedly boycott by Spanish Nationalists and Conservatives. In 2009, the Spanish Conservative Party and a Spanish Nationalist Party unsuccessfully tried to have his concert in Figueres cancelled.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/3245/cesk/freixas/actuar/agrave/proper/dissabte/ac/uacute/stica/figueres|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas actuarà el proper dissabte a l'Acústica de Figueres|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
Since 2005, he has worked in the production and organization of the Trobada de Cantautors dels Països Catalans, a Gathering or Meeting of Singer-songwriters from all over the Catalan-speaking Countries. Artists such as Quico Pi de la Serra, Jaume Arnella, Miquel Gil, Albert Fibla, Feliu Ventura, and Pau Alabajos have taken part.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/2503267/20070806/noticia.html|title=La cançó d'autor protagonitza la nit a Riudebitlles|last=associats|first=Partal, Maresma i|work=VilaWeb.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
In the elections to the Catalan Parliament Freixas has held symbolic responsibilities under the candidacy of CUP in 2012 and 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://dogc.gencat.cat/ca/pdogc_canals_interns/pdogc_resultats_fitxa/?documentId=619490&language=ca_ES&action=fitxa|title=Resultats i fitxa|website=Diari Oficial de la Generalitat de Catalunya|language=ca-ES|access-date=19 May 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/9673/votaran/musics/9n|title=Enderrock.cat: Què votaran els músics el 9N?|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} He has also contested or given active support to CUP in Local elections.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/10329/musics/eleccions/municipals|title=Enderrock.cat: Músics a les eleccions municipals|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
Since June 2016, Freixas has also appeared regularly in Catalunya Ràdio{{Cite web|url=http://www.ccma.cat/cercador/?items_pagina=15&profile=portalunic&text=cesk%20freixas|title=Cesk Freixas at Catalunya Ràdio|access-date=19 May 2017}} and is very active online.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/10528/musics/catalans/peten/xarxes/socials|title=Enderrock.cat: Els músics catalans que més ho peten a les xarxes socials|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
Discography
- 2004: Maqueta (self-edited)
- 2005: Set voltes rebel (Bullanga Records)
- 2006: Les veus dels pobles lliures (self-edited): cover album.
- 2007: El camí cap a nosaltres (RGB Supports){{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/1900/cesk/freixas/presenta/seu/nou/disc/apolo/barcelona|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas presenta el seu nou disc a l'Apolo de Barcelona|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
- 2009: La mà dels qui t'esperen (Temps Record){{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/3289/nou/disc/cesk/freixas/es/dir/agrave/agrave/dels/qui/esperen|title=Enderrock.cat: El nou disc de Cesk Freixas es dirà La mà dels qui t'esperen|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
- 2012: Tocats pel foc (Temps Record)
- 2014: Protesta (Temps Record)
- 2017: Proposta (DMusical){{Cite web|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/disc/6453/proposta|title=Enderrock.cat: Cesk Freixas – Proposta|last=Enderrock.cat|website=enderrock.cat|language=ca|access-date=19 May 2017}}
- 2019: Festa Major (u98)
- 2021: Memòria (u98)
Books
- 2013: Paraules per a Gaeta (Tigre de Paper Edicions).{{Cite web|url=http://www.tigredepaper.cat/wordpress/paraules-per-a-gaeta/|title=Paraules per a Gaeta|website=Tigre de Paper|language=ca-ES|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108101906/http://www.tigredepaper.cat/wordpress/paraules-per-a-gaeta/#|archive-date=8 November 2017|url-status=dead}}
- 2016: Alè de taronja sencera (Tigre de Paper Edicions).{{Cite web|url=https://ceskfreixas.cat/2016/03/04/ale-de-taronja-sencera/|title=Alè de taronja sencera|last=ceskfreixas|date=4 March 2016|website=CESK FREIXAS|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403105325/http://ceskfreixas.cat/2016/03/04/ale-de-taronja-sencera/|archive-date=3 April 2016|url-status=dead}}
- 2020: El delta de les paraules.
- 2022: Llegendes i rondalles catalanes. {{Cite web |title= Llegendes i rondalles catalanes d'avui i de sempre | Penguin Llibres|url=https://www.penguinllibres.com/primeres-lectures/232785-libro-llegendes-i-rondalles-catalanes-d-avui-i-de-sempre-9788418054686}}
- 2022: Contes catalans d'avui i de sempre.
Awards
- 2008: Enderrock Award Popular Vote Best Singer-Songwriter.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/especials/especial?id=2746260|title=VilaWeb – Diari Electrònic Independent|website=vilaweb.cat|access-date=19 May 2017}}
- 2010: Enderrock Award Popular Vote Best Singer-Songwriter.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3703032/20100316/nit-e-nderrock.html|title=La nit dels 'e-nderrock'|last=associats|first=Partal, Maresma i|work=VilaWeb.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
- 2011: Enderrock Award Popular Vote Best Singer-Songwriter Live.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/6436/votacio/popular/decidit|title=Enderrock.cat: I la votació popular ha decidit que...|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}}
- 2013: Enderrock Award Popular Vote Best Singer-Songwriter, Best Album, and Best Live Singer-Songwriter Performance.{{Cite news|url=http://www.rtvvilafranca.cat/2013/02/el-penedesenc-cesk-freixas-es-un-dels-grans-triomfadors-en-els-premis-enderrock-2013/|title=El penedesenc Cesk Freixas és un dels grans triomfadors en els Premis Enderrock 2013 {{!}} RTVVilafranca|date=25 February 2013|work=RTVVilafranca|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca-ES}}
- 2015: Enderrock Award Popular Vote Best DVD/Documentary.{{Cite news|url=http://www.enderrock.cat/noticia/10038/txarango/arrasen/votacio/popular|title=Enderrock.cat: Txarango arrasen a la votació popular|last=Enderrock.cat|access-date=19 May 2017|language=ca}} Catalan Album of the Year according to Radio Station Ràdio 4.
- 2021: Language Associations Coordinator Joan Coromines National Award to people or organisations to work to defend, promote or normalise the Catalan language and culture. {{Cite web |title= La Llibreria Quera, Diari de la Llengua, Cesk Freixas, Dàmaris Gelabert i Núria Cadenes, Premis Nacionals Joan Coromines 2021|date=15 November 2021 |url=https://www.cal.cat/la-llibreria-quera-diari-de-la-llengua-cesk-freixas-damaris-gelabert-i-nuria-cadenes-premis-nacionals-joan-coromines-2021/}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Freixas, Cesk}}
Category:Singer-songwriters from Catalonia