Joan Roca dies, historic bassist of Antònia Font
The musician of the Majorcan group was 54 years old and participated in the evolution of the group from its beginnings to turning it into a musical phenomenon
PalmaThe historic bassist of Antònia Font, Joan Roca, died early this Wednesday at 54 years of age, after a long illness. His passing represents a great loss for Catalan music, after a career closely linked to one of the most influential and beloved bands of recent decades. Roca began to be part of the group practically from its beginnings and participated in the evolution of the formation until it became a musical phenomenon, with albums and songs that have marked several generations, including Alegria and Taxi.
Antònia Font was born in Mallorca in 1997, with Pau Debon on vocals, Joan Miquel Oliver on guitar, Jaume Manresa on keyboards, Pere Debon on drums, and Pere Estarellas on bass. Joan Roca replaced the latter on bass, right at the beginning of the band, which thus consolidated the definitive formation.
In 1997, Antònia Font recorded a four-song demo tape and played their first concert in Bunyola. Two years later, they released their first album, the start of a career that would make the band one of the great references of pop in Catalan.
Consolidation arrived with A Rússia (2001) and, especially, with Alegria (2002), the album that opened the doors to the general public. Then came works like Taxi (2004), Batiscafo Katiuscas (2006), Coser I cantar (2007), Lamparetes (2011) and Vostè és aquí (2012), with now essential songs like 'Alegria', 'Wa yeah!', 'Calgary 88', 'Dins aquest iglú', 'Viure sense tu', and 'Me sobren paraules'.
With lyrics by Joan Miquel Oliver, the voice of Pau Debon, and its own universe full of astronauts, Mediterranean landscapes, and everyday characters, Antònia Font built an unmistakable identity. Joan Roca was a key piece on bass.
One of the most outstanding moments of the first stage was Coser I cantar, recorded with orchestral accompaniment and distinguished with the National Music Prize of Catalonia. The tour culminated in 2008 with a memorable concert at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
In 2009, the Government awarded the Ramon Llull Prize to Antònia Font, in recognition of her original musical personality, for her talent in musical experimentation and the playful spirit of the avant-garde. Furthermore, the Executive recognized her brilliant contribution to her own culture, reinterpreted in her work with a universal spirit.
After sixteen years of career, the group separated in 2013, but eight years later announced their return with Un minut estroboscòpica (2022) and a tour that included Primavera Sound, Palau Sant Jordi, Liceu and Mallorca Live Festival, among others.
In 2023, the Editorial Council of l'ARA Balears awarded Antònia Font with the Special 10 Years Prize. This distinction recognized that the Mallorcan group, through its music and lyrics, has made available to society the values that ARA Balears shares and defends.
Beyond Antònia Font, Roca also developed other projects, such as the experimental jazz trio Geometrical Sardine, with Jaume Rosselló and Pep Aspas, Dinamo, U Jazz, Quartet and Ensemble ACA.
On social networks, Joan Miquel Oliver, Roca's bandmate in Antònia Font, wrote: "Joan, we shared the good years, you didn't want to leave, you were strong, you leave a huge void, and you leave good things, we will think of you a lot, rest if you can, an eternal hug".
"We are losing an exceptional artist and a great person"
The President of the Congress and former President of the Government, Francina Armengol, has wanted to offer her condolences for the death of Joan Roca to his family, colleagues, and friends. "Terrible news. We lose an exceptional artist and a great person. His music with Antònia Font is part of the soundtrack of many lives and also of the cultural identity of our islands," she wrote on social media.
"Thank you, Joan, for making us sing, dance, laugh, and dream"
For her part, the president of the Government, Marga Prohens, lamented the artist's death in a message published this Wednesday on social media: "Thank you, Joan, for making us sing, dance, laugh, and dream. For making us feel so much joy and for being part of our lives through music".
Prohens conveyed her affection to Roca's family, his friends, and all the members of Antònia Font, whom she defined as “the soundtrack to great moments and so many stories”.
She also alluded to a stanza from the song 'Tristesa', included in the album Alegria (2002): "From my insufficient sky, from the mineral rain, from umbrellas in the snow. From indifferent trees, from stopped clocks, from impossible feelings. Sadness, joy, sadness". Today we all change joy for sadness. From today on, this song will no longer sound the same without the unmistakable sound of your bass", she wrote.
Other socialist leaders like Rosario Sánchez and Amanda Fernández have also said goodbye to the musician on social media. "Today we say goodbye to Joan Roca, an essential part of Antònia Font and the music made in Mallorca. His talent and contribution leave a mark that will last forever," wrote Sánchez. Fernández tweeted: "Very sad news for the music and culture of Mallorca." Vicenç Vidal, from MÉS and a congressman, wrote of Roca that he is "a great person and a total artist".