Girls Twiddling Knobs
Adventures in Sound, Voice & Field Recording with Cathy Lane
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Episode notes
If you’ve ever felt stumped as to what to do with all those field recordings you’ve been making… Or like experimental music sometimes lacks a human touch… this episode is a must listen because Isobel is joined by Cathy Lane, an artist, composer and academic inspired by everyday experiences and, in particular, how ‘hidden histories’ can be investigated from a feminist perspective. Inside, Cathy shares so many gems from her vast experience and knowledge as one of the most highly regarded artists and academics in her field.
Cathy has worked with composed sound for the last three decades and has developed a practice that combines oral history, archival recordings, spoken word and environmental recordings in formats ranging from gallery installations to books, essays and concert presentations. A Professor of Sound Arts at University of the Arts London and directs Creative Research in Sound Arts Practice (CRiSAP), Cathy shares how this work is also deeply influenced by her beginnings in grass-roots community-run learning spaces.
This episode is a real treat so get comfy and plug in!
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
{00:00} Intro
{05:08} How Cathy got started using music technology
{09:29} Cathy on the women-only groups she was involved in, and the acceptability of these spaces.
{14:55} Her PhD and access to technology
{18:59} What is electroacoustic music?
{27:06} Cathy’s PhD thesis, on using space in composition
{34:47} Using field recordings in composition to convey meaning
{38:37} Her discovery of field recording
{45:07} Cathy on her piece, Am I Here?
{51:43} Cathy on her piece, Here We All Are
{59:41} Using field recordings as part of the compositional process
{01:09:09} Cathy’s technology setup
{01:16:05} Episode Summary
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Girls Twiddling Knobs is hosted by Isobel Anderson, produced by Isobel Anderson and Jade Bailey and is a Female DIY Musician Production.
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