Greetings, fellow wanderers! Welcome back to another exhilarating episode of „Travel Diaries,“ where project TRAVELER takes us on a melodic journey through the heart of Europe. In this eighth installment of our musical saga we are treated to the electrifying composition titled „White Bull.“

As the currents of time and spaces invite us to mount the mythical white bull, a symbol taken from the legendary seduction of Europa by Zeus, we find ourselves strapped in for a wild ride across the diverse landscapes of Europe. In triumphant declaration the anthem-like chorus echoes, „I’m riding, I’m riding, I’m riding, I’m riding THE WHITE BULL!“ resonating with the primal energy that fuels the oldest drive known to humanity: our reproductive instinct.

Hailing from the land of ancient myths, I infused the song with tales of erotic escapades intertwined with a broader narrative—a celebration of the „fire in the belly“ and the insatiable call for adventure. „White Bull“ emerges as a highly ecstatic composition, an exploration of the senses that boldly flirts with the borders of erotomania, madness, and the surrender of self-control.

The very essence of fear and loathing in Europe unfolds through the music—a drug-like trip through the states of the continent. The mixolydian sharp eleven mode fearlessly delves into the intoxicating allure of the unknown, mirroring the hedonistic celebrations of life’s sensual pleasures. As we embark on this musical escapade, the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur, allowing us to lose ourselves in the throes of ecstasy.

Adding another layer to this sonic adventure is a sultry saxophone solo, sensually weaving its way through the composition. However, the true magic lies in an unexpected twist—during the peak of the solo, a wrong note is played, and the session musician, teetering on the edge, unleashes a raw, unbridled scream. Remarkably, producer Marios and me chose to leave this „mistake“ untouched in the final version of the song, transforming it into a symbol of unfiltered lust.

This unedited moment captures the essence of Zeus in his moment of total explosion—an unscripted scream of passion that now resonates with listeners worldwide. I’d love to read one day something like: “Jannis Raptis, known for his innovation and experimentation, turns what could be considered a mistake into the most original and daring element of his artistic repertoire.”

That is, if anyone cared. Otherwise, I’ll leave it to my future biographs.

… Cause …

„I’m riding, I’m riding, I’m riding, I’m riding,

THE WHITE BULL!“

Alors!

As „White Bull“ makes its way into the ears and hearts of fans, we are reminded that art, like life, is an unpredictable journey. I try hard to push the boundaries of creativity, offering my audience a rare glimpse into the unfiltered chaos of passion, lust, and the uncharted territories of self-discovery.

So, dear readers, fasten your seatbelts and allow me and this amazing song, that I am SO SO proud of, to guide you through the intoxicating landscapes of Europe with „White Bull.“ Join us next month for another chapter in the musical odyssey of Project TRAVELER. Until then, embrace the chaos, celebrate the unknown, and let music be your guide. Safe travels!

Jannis

PS: Also, if you want to know more about project TRAVELER, how everything started and who I am, I invite you to subscribe to my E-Mail list. There is plenty of subscriber-only stuff going on over there and I’d love you to be part of this!

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PPS: I thought I’ll add some personal notes at the end of each blog post, giving a short insight into my own journey right now. So, here it is:

My current diary pages (November 2023)

• The hustle is real. Both, my partner and I, are working (teaching and playing gigs) a bit too much right now.
• Playing and planning concerts with my Greek project currently, I love it, and it seems to be the only product I can sell in Austria.
• Slowly but steadily, my motivation is returning. I started reaching out to international festivals, in order to play my TRAVELER songs. It’s nearly impossible to sell this project in a country like Austria. It’s too big for here. And that’s okay. Cause I love Austria, I love the people, and I love my Schnitzel.
• Currently reading the book „Deep Work“ by Call Newport. Recommendation!

You like what you see and hear? Or you hate it, but for whatever reason, you still want to buy me a cup of coffee? I highly appreciate this!