Field recordings – The Artist in Studio Hundy

Secrets, Trees and Stars

Stillness

The addition of light – that feels so essential in advent – has, this year, been characterised by trees and stars.

As well as illuminated stars in Studio Hundy and our Girrick cottage window, this week I created a “sustainable” tree from garden bamboo canes. Whilst making the structure, as if on cue, a “Christmas” Robin visited to investigate and then drink from the bird-bath.

November had been a busy time in Studio Hundy, fulfilling a commission for 150 lino-printed Christmas cards. As soon as these were complete and we turned to December, I started to sketch out a new design for my own card this year – a Heron.

The stillness of the Heron in the lino print was inspired by a chapter in a wonderful book we are currently reading – an anthology of weekly contempations and practices for spirituality through the lens of psychology, inspired by the culture and mythology of the Celts in Britain and Ireland and their connection with nature.

“Psychologically, the heron represents a part of us who longs to penetrate below the surface of life into its Mystery for the long-forgotten memory of who we are, which we begin to discern in times of stillness”.

Wilson, Michael. Portals into Deep Imagination. Celtic Mythology, Nature’s Year, and the Quest for Soul. Aeon, 2025

Finding stillness at this time of year seems all the more important as the outer pressures of the lead-up to Christmas mount.

This includes taking time to reflect on the year that is coming to a close.

APRIL – Clare’s show in Stroud
MAY – another performance, this time in Peebles
….. and no hitches for me on the sound desk in Eastgate Theatre
JULY – installation of new wood burner and chimney liner
… and some congestion with neighbours
Also in JULY – constructing a new wood store
AUGUST – Edinburgh Fringe
Also in AUGUST – exciting installation of dip tank
…… and barrel sauna in the garden
… and the “must have” sauna spirit – Loylynhenki
SEPT – Sound residency – Deep listening to the rumble of the tide
… and listening to the “sound of stones”
OCT – harvesting pears, plums and apples
… preparing spicy plum sauce
NOV – full moon rising
… and shining
DEC – making natural firelighters

Quite an eventful year.

And the “secrets” in the title of this post?

Firstlly it refers to the mystery that lies “below the surface of life” (quote above); and secondly it takes me back over 12 years when Clare devised and performed her other solo show as part of LTP (Landscape Theatre Project). Clare’s Many Threads. Part exhibition, part theatre piece, it painted an intimate portrait of a landscape.

“What really lies out there in the hills and valleys? What lives in the trees and by the stream. Come along to LOOK, LISTEN and DISCOVER!!”

It was 5 years earlier, whilst collaborating with Clare in developing the methodology for LTP, that my interest in field recording was really sparked.

During a 2 week, immersive study of a local valley (Muckle Thairn) I experimented with my 1980’s Aiwa stereo cassette walkman, two basic plug in mics, mounted on an adapted paint roller on the end of a extended umbrella!! Very DIY!

I used this kit to record the soundscape for our first LTP scratch performance at the local village hall.

Who’d have thought 17 years on I’d be at an amazing ambisonic sound residency in Argyll! Sound of Alchemy

A year (and much more) to remember.

1980’s Aiwa Stereo cassette recorder – nostalgia

Sound of Alchemy

Singing to the Sound of Jura

We have just returned from a fabulous immersive 4 day sound residency in Argyll, hosted by John Wills (www.positiveambisonics.org / Instagram – john.wills.ambisonics). Staying in a cosy 1960’s, beautifully converted caravan off Carsaig Bay (in John and Pinkie’s 1.5 acre woodland garden), we experienced the landscape around the Sound of Jura socially, visually and sonically.

Cosy 1960’s caravan in woodland garden

Carsaig Bay overlooking the Sound of Jura

Lapping of waves – using Zoom H5 with inbuilt XY stereo mic capsule (recorded at Carsiag Bay)

Recordings

Gently guided by John into the field of ambisonics (capturing 360° sound using a special 4 channel spacial configuration of microphones) we ventured out to experiment with field recordings. This unique full ambient surround sound was supplemented with recordings using a hydrophone, a contact mic and my own H5 stereo field recorder, as well as a condensor mic in the studio.

Sonic landscape

In this rare, sonically unpolluted environment we were able to listen deeply to the sounds of the environment at Taynish nature reserve Nature Scotland; experience the acoustics of an 11^th century chapel Historic environment Scotland; record inside a cairn (Nether Largie South) at one of the many local Neolithic and Bronze age sites Kilmartin-glen: Nether Largie South Cairn and dive into the “hidden” acoustic territory of fungi, moss, wood, reeds and, amongst others, wire fences. I even found myself befriending the sound of the wind – something, as a field recordist, I thought I’d never do!

A couple of field recordings using Zoom F8 with a Jez Riley French contact mic with probe

Wire fence –probe in rotten fencing post (recorded at Nether Largie)

Moss – probe buried in thick moss (recorded in the wooded garden at +VE ambisonics)

Deep listening

Inspiration

Inspired by the first days ambisonic recordings, particularly when played back in John’s studio using an 8 speaker array (Left-Right, Front-Back, Up-Down), Clare and I were enthused to explore a recurrent theme we’ve encountered in various ways in our lives – the 4 elements.

Linked, as they are, to the 4 or perhaps 5 stages/processes and colours associated with alchemy:

Black – negrado; White – solutio; Green- coagulato; Red – rubado and ultimately Gold, this audio residency seemed like a great opportunity for investigating the “Sound of Alchemy”

Facilitated by John’s expertise as a musician and sound engineer we spent 3 further days “playing” sonically with the concepts of Earth, Water, Air and Fire and their metamorphic transitions. A studio full of instruments (bodhrán, lyre, guitars, electronic drum kit, a synth and more) – as well as Clare’s bamboo pipe and our voices – enabled us to match and meld our various field recordings with instrumental and vocal accompaniments.

Ambisonic recording of the Bamboo pipe using Zoom F8 with Sennheiser Ambeo Ambisonic mic

Bamboo pipe played by Clare (recorded in Keills 11th century chapel)

Perhaps the highlight of this journey came when we listened back to our Hebridean lament, sung in Keills chapel. The combination of our two voices bouncing across the ancient stone walls created a lovely subtle reverb.

We wanted a distinct contrast to this, recording the same chant outside accompanied by lapping waves. So on our last day we “sang” to the Sound of Jura, capturing the unique atmosphere on Carsaig beach using John’s Sennheiser Ambeo Ambisonic mic –featured image. Offsetting these two vocal recordings in the studio created another dimension for this lament and we decided to incorporate it into our now almost complete soundscape.

Four very exciting days spent with an amazing tutor enabled us to create and complete an 18 minute soundscape. The “Sound of Alchemy” morphs from the earthy sounds of stone with drumming on rock, through watery elements of lapping waves, trickling streams and the gentle sound of an “untuned” lyre (bluesy), into the airy element of whistling wind accompanied by a breathy bamboo pipe, merged with the mysterious sounds from a contact mic in the reeds. The final crackling element of fire (moss) incorporates a crescendo of cymbals leading into the choral “Nay Hey” – a layered polyphonic Hebridean lament.

More details of our journey through each of the four elements in sound will follow shortly.

Thanks again to John Wills for his amazing and inspiring residency (Positive Ambisonics Residencies)

Swallows & Martins on the move

Summer visit almost over

“The preparation” – Pastel & Charcoal sketch 2023

As September begins, a sure sign that summer is coming to a close is the change we see in the patterns of the Swallows and House martins. A subtle change that accompanies the transition of the light.

Their early morning flight in large groups, their congregating on telegraph lines, their loud chitter chatter – all signalling that they will be departing soon for distant shores.

For me there is a sadness that accompanies this time, captured in the lines of Mary Webb’s poem:

Within my spirit is a voice that grieves,

Reminding me of empty autumn skies.
“Swallows” by Webb, M. (1930) The collected works of Mary Webb. Poems and The Spring of Joy. London: Jonathon Cape, 1928.

In a small attempt to celebrate these wonderful migrant visitors that bring such joy every year, I have put together a short video clip. It is fairly basic, using limited equipment/resources, but for me it catches something of the anticipatory mood inherent in the “jubilant” activities of these beautiful birds.

Video clip: Swallows and Martins on the move

Chattering cheerfully

Twitter …natter …chatter

For the last month – or more – we’ve been hearing the cheerful chatter of martins and swallows at the front and back of the house. Flying high overhead in the clear blue skies, skimming low over crops in nearby fields, and swooping and turning with dynamic aerobatics, down and up to their nests in the eaves. Their characteristic twittering, uttered on the wing, is even more pronouced as they land on, or enter into the nest.

This year we are “fortunate” to have a nest right outside our bedroom window! So in the early hours, when they are busy catching insects and returning to the nest to feed their young, we are treated to the sound of their constant nattering. I wonder what they are “saying”?

SOME SERIOUS TWITTERING

Sounds of November

Cow chorus

On one of my regular walks, as the November light was beginning to fade, I was struck by the variety of sounds coming from the cow sheds on our local farm.

It was a “demanding” noise that seemed to signify something was about to happen. As the volume increased, a farm vehicle emerged with the evening feed. I returned at the same time the following day with my sound recorder and, on cue, the “cow chorus” began.

Cow chorus

Sounds of October

Dreich & Hygge!

Autumn leaves – veiling watercolour 2021

Light changes, weather shifts as autumn takes hold of the year. The greens and yellows of summer gradually turn into warm reds and oranges. Often wet and windy with intermittent days of calm, soft sunlight.

My soundscape this month tells a short story of transition. It parallels the change that can also occur in our relationship to the world at this time of year; from outer to inner focus – our desire for warmth and comfort, as we experience the cold and wet outside. At an onomatopoeic level – from dreich to hygge.

Listen on headphones for the best effect.

A sound story – Dreich to Hygge

The warm colours of autumn moving into earthy rich browns, and the glow of fire embers in the dark chamber of the woodburner, remind me of the colours and contrasts often seen in many Rembrandt paintings.

*A free study of Rembrandt colours – chalk pastel on black paper*

Sounds of September

Honks, barks, and cackles – heralding autumn

Cooler days have arrived and there is a definite autumnal feel in the air. The regular sight and sound of skeins of geese has now started. It is an indication that summer is truly over. These flypasts will become a more frequent occurrence, louder and with greater numbers, as we enter into October. Sometimes the geese fly in their characteristic V formation at a distance, to the north or south of our house, and occasionally (if we are lucky) immediately overhead.

Skein of Geese – watercolour sketch 2021

I have wanted to record the very particular “calling” sound of these birds for some time now, and was fortunate enough to have my sound gear at the ready this year.

I was also interested to visit a local loch where, I was told, the geese often congregate in the evening. So at the weekend we walked to Hule Loch, located on exposed moorland between Greenlaw and Duns. Sitting in the small hide we were able to take in the panoramic view of the loch, its multiplicity of birds and the surrounding hills. The colours and light changed so dramatically during the short time we were there, as the wind blew, the rain came in from the west and cleared again.

Although the sound of the wind was quite dominant inside the hide, I was able to capture several minutes of audio to bring back to Studio Hundy.

I have created a September sound piece encompassing 3 phases: over our house – a large skein flying in from the east and away to the west; from the hide – a small group of birds on the loch taking flight; and finally (also from the hide) – a large skein of geese coming in to land.

Geese soundscape

The latter was a fascinating occurence as the large cluster of birds seemed to ungainly drop down onto the surface of the water in a random manner, like some kind of precipitation out of the sky! As they landed onto the water their “cries” diminished, until eventually the loud cacophony of sound gave way to an occasional “squawk” or honk.

It’s a sharp sound to listen to, and at the same time incredibly beautiful – also so unmistakable!

Geese in flight (pastel) – sketchbook 2012

Sounds of August

Gathering grain

Here in the Borders it is almost impossible to go out during the month of August without being aware, through sight, sound or smell, of the harvest taking place. Wheat fields with plumes of dust rising from the harvesters on a hot, dry day. The iconic sound of the combine as it emerges over the horizon, getting louder and louder ….. and yet LOUDER– no wonder that even the smaller models have been named to match!

I couldn’t let the month go by without recording some of the evocative grain gathering sounds in our own locality of Girrick. Not only the harvesting itself, but also the (perhaps less familiar) elaborate drying process of the grain that follows in very quick succession.

Harvesting

The sounds captured in the “grain processing soundscape” that follows have a wonderful breadth and diversity. Ranging from the reverberation of the trailer gate closing in the grain barn, through the soft sound of the grain filling the dryer chambers, to the dynamic start-up of the burner and fan, and onto the rattling of the cork-screw auger, transferring the dry grain into the store.

Listen and enjoy the textures of the sounds and imagine the aroma of freshly harvested wheat! But be prepared for a few sonic surprises.

Grain processing soundscape

Sounds of July

Musings on a Thunder storm

You know that sense of stillness that seems to fall just before the first crack of thunder? It is full of tension, anticipation – I’d even say agitation. It is a precursor for a phenomena of nature that is sometimes paralleled in our soul.

The uncertainty of when, how loud and how close the thunder bolt will “fall”. The unpredictability of the next clap, breaking the intermittent (relative) quietness. Will it rain or will it not?

Recording the thunder storm earlier this week here in the Scottish Borders, I had a tangible experience of these stages and their synchronicity with the emotions we can encounter in the face of life’s uncertainties. Something all too familiar to us in the last 18 months.

Thunder musings

However frightening, or invigorating, thunder may be, it will pass over. And if the rain does begin to fall, after the initial downpour, there can be a return to a feeling of inner quietude, with a faint, but lingering echo of the storm that has gone before!

Recently in Studio Hundy I have been painting a series linked to the Iroquois myth “Naming the Winds”.

At the beginning of time, Ga-oh the giant called forth 4 animals, each kept on a tight leash, to rule over the Four winds.  A strong fierce Panther was summoned for the wild West wind - the maker of storms - splitting the clouds, tearing them to shreds, and snarling deep warnings over the dark sky.

*Iroquois myth* – Wild West Wind – wet-on-wet painting (detail) 2021

Sounds of June

A change of tone …… Slurry!

Intrigued by the sounds coming from the local farm, I spent time this month recording various audio clips that I have used to create an edited piece called “Slurry“. It not only features sounds from nature, but also includes some more unusual “noises” from mechanical devices on the farm. All part of the soundscape at Girrick in June.

Slurry

My fascination with the quality of the various sounds was perhaps matched by an equal measure of curiosity from those working on the farm; puzzled by the bizarre sight of me (with my recording equipment) – standing by the roadside as cattle were herded along the lane, following tractors into yards and keeping a very safe distance whilst slurry was being transferred.

The mechanical sounds of both slurry mixer and vaccum pump on the tanker were ideally suited to creating a more “abstract” sound piece in post-production. If you can, listen on headphones – a definite change of tone!

Slurry Abstraction

Thanks to all those at Girrick farm for allowing me to capture an aspect of their busy schedule in June.