As I think about these lines, we are on the train back to Barcelona. We are talking about our next play, which we are finishing writing and which you will be able to see from March at Sala Beckett in Barcelona. I have not confessed to him that I have been asked to write this synopsis, so it will be a surprise.
It does not take long, after leaving Figueres, for the girl from the UdG, the German family taking over the four-seat compartment and the rest of the carriage to notice the presence of my travelling companion. And it is not because of the bag of cheese puffs he is devouring with his mouth open... Taking this medium-distance train from Figueres to Success is Lluc Valverde i Ros: son of Anna and Carles, from Espolla. The youngest of three Karamazov brothers. Child prodigy and prodigious adult, best friend of those who want to be happy and bitter rival of those who take themselves too seriously. Hedonist, happy soul, connoisseur of cheese puffs and fuet, and sommelier of Red Bull and vodka. Fugitive from French justice and the International Olympic Committee, the centre of every gaze and the arrow in every heart, the best friend of the boldest girls and the most handsome boys. A vegetarian for the first course, first on every party guest list, who never arrives when expected but whom everyone hopes will arrive.

Musician, actor, playwright, bicycle mechanic, conservatoire clarinetist and dance-hall saxophonist. Yesterday a cabaret diva, today a soloist in La Ludwig Band and tomorrow a rumba singer from Hostafrancs. He was my flatmate during the four blurriest years of my youth; he was my happiness and the terror of the whole stairwell. He studied trumpet at siesta time and today he arrives in Vic to present his first album to you. You will like the music, the good vibes and the electricity, but above all, please like the lyrics. Because, beyond everything I have said, Lluc is a poet

When he reads —if he ever reads— these lines, he will thank me for them like the good friend he is, but he will think he would have written them better. And he will be right. Safe travels, Lluki Valverde.
 

Quim Carandell

Musician of La Ludwig Band