Raymond Raposa, the singer-songwriter who created the Castanets, a project that blended folk, country, and experimental music, passed away at the age of 41 on July 29, 2022. His death was confirmed by his longtime friend and label-mate Sufjan Stevens, who described him as “a bright star, a good friend, and a great musician”. The cause of death has not been revealed yet.
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A Life of Music and Travel
Raposa was born in Michigan City, Indiana, in 1981, and grew up in California. He started his musical career as a free-jazz musician in a band called Womb, before dropping out of high school at the age of 15 and traveling the US by Greyhound bus for four years. During his travels, he met and collaborated with various musicians, including Nathan Delffs, with whom he recorded the song “What Kind of Cure” in 2002.
The song caught the attention of Sufjan Stevens, who signed Raposa to his label Asthmatic Kitty Records and invited him to move to Brooklyn in 2004. Raposa released his debut album as Castanets, Cathedral, in the same year. The album was praised for its haunting and sparse sound, which combined acoustic guitar, banjo, saxophone, organ, and synthesizer.
A Prolific and Diverse Discography
Over the next decade, Raposa released six more albums as Castanets, each one exploring different musical styles and themes. His second album, First Light’s Freeze, was released in 2005 and featured guest appearances from Jana Hunter, Liz Janes, and Stevens himself. His third album, In the Vines, came out in 2007 and was inspired by his experiences of living in a commune in Northern California.
In 2008, Raposa released City of Refuge, an album that he wrote in three weeks while staying in a motel in Nevada. The album was influenced by his fascination with the desert and the American West. In 2009, he released Texas Rose, the Thaw, and the Beasts, an album that showcased his country and rock influences. In 2011, he collaborated with Stevens to compose the soundtrack for Kaleo La Belle’s documentary Beyond This Place, which followed the filmmaker’s journey to reconnect with his estranged father.
Raposa’s final album as Castanets, Decimation Blues, was released in 2014. The album featured a more electronic and pop-oriented sound, with Raposa using a vocoder to alter his voice. Raposa also released two albums under different names: Little Death Shaker in 2012 as Raymond Byron and the White Freighter, and Bond Wire Cur in 2022 as Raymond Byron.
A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration
Raposa’s music was often categorized as “alternative country” or “freak-folk”, but he defied any easy labels. His songs were eclectic and experimental, blending genres and instruments in unexpected ways. His lyrics were poetic and personal, reflecting his spiritual and philosophical views. His voice was distinctive and expressive, ranging from a raspy whisper to a soulful croon.
Raposa’s music influenced and inspired many other artists, especially in the indie and folk scenes. He collaborated and toured with acts such as Dirty Projectors, Akron/Family, Phosphorescent, and J. Tillman. He was also a mentor and friend to many younger musicians, offering them advice and support.
Raposa’s death has left a void in the music world, but his legacy lives on in his songs and in the hearts of his fans and peers. He will be remembered as a unique and talented artist, who followed his own vision and created his own sound. He will be missed by many, but his music will never be forgotten.
