A circle in 12 parts: Aries

The start of a new series of improvisations with guest artists for 2024.
My first guest for the zodiac sign of Aries was Ailsa Mair. The audio video improvisation was created entirely live, combining a selection of Ailsa’s photos and video clips with astrological symbols, live cameras and sounds.

The session started with a bit of Ann Petrie on vinyl talking about the Aries nature, it combines with a loop of Holst’s Mars and Cor Meibion Aberystwyth before giving way to the cello and voice of Ailsa Mair.

We have been talking of making some work around the tarot and symbol of the fool in particular. Seems wholly appropriate to explore this in the time of Aries.

Check out the Fools Journey on Ailsa’s bandcamp and more music too!
https://thefairytalecellist.bandcamp.com/

Mycelium Manifestation: spore prints

A great day in Aberystwyth Arts centre for the Aberetwm celebrations. Some lovely conversations with new and old friends. Thanks to everyone who came along and joined in and thanks to Marc and Becca for having us there!

I started off the sounds of the day with recordings made on Aberystwyth beach, the waves led us up onto the prom where voices and gulls joined in with some short loops of cello, bass and viol from the lovely Sianed Jones who’s loopstation I inherited full of memories.
From there we heard the call of Penglais woods where the rich and lively birdsong merged with voices and music from the Arts Centre. The voice of Peter Stevenson and music from Ailsa Mair Hughes, recorded during the Flora exhibition in 2017, evokes and describes the geographic and botanical world of Penglais hill as experienced by John Salter in the 19th Century before being submerged in the drones and loops from vinyl records connected to Aberystwyth.
The Vinyl Mycelium connections resonate, ogham trees adding new layers of connection reaching out to both past and future. Traditional instrumental sounds from Deuair bring us back to the present and merge with loops of the past – a stream begins to flow.

Live stream recorded from the event (apologies for some random level changes)

Above is a horoscope chartwheel for the day in Aberystwyth – this recurs in the live visual mix, rotating and merging with another more artistic impression of the chart drawn up for my collaboration with Jay and Keryl Hodges and the third circle.

The space was also inhabited by the mysterious figure of the mushroom man tending his pods and silently connecting us to a world beyond.

4 photos above by Keryl Hodges https://www.instagram.com/littleappleseed/
4 photos below by Sean Vicary https://www.seanvicary.com

4 photos below by Jo Shapland https://www.instagram.com/joshapland

A circle in 12 parts: Virgo

A combined live audio visual improvisation with contributions and vinyl selection from this years guest Virgo, Anna Sherratt.

I’m a writer, director, producer and sound designer from Aberystwyth, but currently living in Cardiff. When Jake approached me with his brilliant avant garde project, I was excited but nervous – not knowing quite what to expect. True to my star sign, I am a meticulous planner, but I also love improvisation and chaos, and the creativity that brings. 

In the end, I went with a “Desert Island Discs” approach, taking ideas from where life and music intersect and responding to Jake’s amazing mixing in chatter, spoken word and song. 

It was an honour to take part in such a unique series, and to have a go at making Virgo whatever it happens to be – especially if that’s a bit messier than the stereotype!

A circle in 12 parts: Leo

A live audio visual improvisation with sounds, images, video and vinyl selection from this years guest Leo, Susan Sluglett.

In the mix are: Louis Armstrong -‘Dream a little Dream of me’; Ella Fitzgerald – ‘Can’t we be friends’; Talking Heads -‘Road to nowhere ‘; Kate Bush – ‘And dream of sheep’; David Bowie – ‘Heroes’;
Nina Simone – ‘To love Somebody’; Earth, Wind and Fire – ‘Let your feelings show’; George Benson -‘Lady love me (one more time)’; Bob Dylan – ‘She belongs to me’; Joni Mitchell – ‘Chinese cafe/unchained melody’; The Smiths – ‘Stretch out and wait’

Paintings by Susan Sluglett https://www.susansluglett.com