Resonant Cambridge

My initial aim in approaching this piece was to search for 'soundmarks', or 'sonic landmarks', that characterise the City of Cambridge. I attempted this by recording a series of soundwalks in different parts of Cambridge, and also by holding a series of interviews with people that I met. The piece therefore deliberately attempts to blur the distinction between sonic composition and sound documentary. While making the recordings I became increasingly aware that I was mostly listening to the sounds of people on the move - whether walking, cycling, rowing, or travelling by car, plane, boat or train. The soundscape of Cambridge, as of many other cities, therefore appears to be composed of many intersecting transport routes, each generating their own sound environments, which interact with each other where they meet. These interconnections give the piece its structure. I also became interested in what people talk about as they move around - a kind of human acoustic ecology - so the piece features many short samples of conversation, giving micro-insights into people's lives. Since making the recordings, I have moved away from the area, so my choice of which sounds to include was partly influenced by those that I find most 'resonant', in terms of their ability to trigger memories about the place.

All of the compositions and soundfiles accessible via this site are copyleft. All rights reversed. Anyone is welcome to use these soundfiles how they wish, towards a continuing creative process.