LISTEN CLUB: Soundscapes of hope

It’s a real honour to curate a Listen Club, organised by Sound Art Brighton. Here’s the blurb:

When it comes to the natural world, there are many reasons to fret. But, is there a glimmer of hope? Hazel’s work harnesses the sounds of nature to tell stories of hope, of burgeoning biodiversity in sites of rewilding and other nature havens.

The first half of the session will feature field recordings at the pioneering Knepp rewilding estate – in the scrubland, in the lakes, in the beaver pen, in the white stork enclosure. Hazel’s dedication to dawn forays in spring into the scrubland, were kicked-off by hearing her first nightingale, which thrive here yet face cataclysmic declines elsewhere.

In the second half Hazel will share excerpts from soundscape compositions created for playful, immersive, affecting nature soundscape experiences for all, such as Sculptural Murmurings (Fabrica), Moving with Nightingales (Pallant House) and Bird Hide (SMARTsheds, Devil’s Dyke). These compositions are based on field recordings from the UK and beyond.

Listen Club

Listen Club is about listening together is in the same space, with the possibility of sharing impressions and casual discussion afterwards. Listen Club hopes to provide a counterpoint to the quick paced personal consumption of music with a more patient shared experience; a deep listen, together, in order to foster community.

A programme of unusual sound-works, soundscape composition, and music from the present and the past, is chosen by Sound Art Brighton artists and invited guests. Curators will guide the experience – briefly discussing the details of the selections and providing background on the music and artists chosen. We aim to present a variety of styles and listening experiences that may include long duration singular sound works to a series of work on a particular theme.
On average we will listen together for 45min to an hour, with time for discussion and conversation afterwards