Jon Prothero is a multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer and artist.

The title of Jon's album 'Chiaroscuro' comes from an Italian word that denotes the huge contrasts between light and dark. Metaphorically, the albums namesake denotes a dualist polarity that perfectly sums up the tone of the album.

The album tells the story of a soul, navigating the purpose of life.

The people of the world, so it is said by many philosophical paths, are lost in the illusion of life or 'Maya'. The reason that life is seen as an illusion is primarily because humans beings soon lose the ability to see the world in innocence. Every view point is in a sense poisoned by the self delusion of a very egocentric view of seeing the world. An ego that says 'my' world view, ideas and attitudes are right and 'others' are wrong. To 'see' again without those cultural filters that are ingrained deep in every humans psyche is very difficult and the path can often lead to despair. Some call this part of the journey 'the dark night of the soul' others call it an 'existential crisis'. So it is with the subject in 'Chiaroscuro' who realises they are stuck in the illusion of life but seeks to break free, only to find themselves thrown into a deep dark blackhole from which they cannot escape.

In Zen philosphy it is said that there is often great confusion before the break of clarity and so it is with our spiritual seeker. At the point of feeling totally lost and consumed by the darkness within, a spark of light and glimpse into the timeless dimension is seen!

Many glimpses of freedom are felt by the soul along its journey, times of great liberation lie ahead, yet as he moves toward death fear raises its ugly head again.

Will this soul traveller relinquish this body-vessel easily to death or will the ego fight?

All is revealed in 'Chiaroscuro'!