Sound Generator is Sound UK's artist development programme for bold creative ideas. Following an open call, a panel of judges including leading figures across contemporary music, chose six emerging artists working at the forefront of sound and music.
Sound Generator supports artists in the first 5-10 years of their career. Over the next six months, they will each be mentored by a range of professionals to develop an innovative project ready for showcasing to the industry.
Proposals range from queering the tarot through sound to a percussive exploration of technology and ethics. Dry stone walling as contemporary composition to a new sonic experience for mothers and daughters. The aim? Exciting new work for audiences to discover in the future.
MEET THE SOUND GENERATOR 2022 ARTISTS:
Andrew Woodhead is a musician, composer and producer working across a variety of contexts taking in jazz, free improvisation, electronica, folk and new music. His album Pendulums: Music for Bellringers, Improvisers and Electronics was released on his DIY imprint Leker in 2021, other projects include Mark Sanders’ CollapseUncollapse trio.
Andrew’s Sound Generator project is inspired by the South Yorkshire landscape; exploring Dry Stone Walling as an art form, its strong links to local folk music communities and how this can be fused with contemporary composition to form a permanent installation on and of the landscape.
“I loved how Andrew’s project came from a deep connection to South Yorkshire. The exploration of craft – in this case dry stone walling – with folk music traditions and contemporary composition has the potential to develop into something that will resonate with local communities and embed itself in the landscape.” Jenny Harris, HAR Programming, Opera North & Sound Generator Judge.
Daphnellc Lavender is an experimental musician and producer with a strong DIY track record. They write and perform techno, musique concrète, drone and ambient noise, using Ableton, a drum machine, pedals and field recordings.
Ambra is an intuitive witch and tarot reader with practices rooted in Italian Folk Magic.
Daphnellc will use Sound Generator to collaborate with Ambra to transform the Major Arcana tarot cards, generating fresh, unique music and sounds inspired by tarot readings. Together they will develop a project that supports self and community care through exploring and queering the tarot through sound.
“A really interesting project that marries the mystical to serious electronic chops.” Lucy Wood, Head of Music, Roundhouse & Sound Generator Judge.
Jasmine Kahlia is a multidisciplinary artist, with work shown internationally in Spain and the USA. Recent projects include Glasgow Zine Fest, Rural Arts Yorkshire, Kayd Somali Arts, MAIA Bursary, Complimentary Print by Tenderhands Press, Catalan TV3, Sherwood Forest Zine Library (USA).
Jasmine will interrogate the line between silence and sound, and what it means to bring music of black origin to a residential space. In Serenading the [Neighbour] Hood, Jasmine plans to create soundscapes, using their loop machine and pre-made sounds, and bring walkers on a small tour of residential spaces.
“Jasmine Kahlia is a life-enhancing breath of fresh air. Their negotiation of all manner of black music traditions and the sheer ambition of her ideas are irresistible.”
Kevin Le Gendre, writer and journalist & Sound Generator Judge.
Loula Yorke is a composer who uses electronics and participation to create sonic artworks. Releasing work since 2019 that dances in the spaces where the personal meets the political, she’s been described by Electronic Sound magazine as a ‘DIY noisenik champion’ and recognised with a special commendation by the 2020 Oram Awards.
For Sound Generator, Loula plans to create a flexible new sonic arts project engaging groups of mothers and daughters in a shared activity. The project will result in new spatial sound works exploring 'mothering' and 'daughtering': digging into the lived experiences, tropes and societal expectations of the mother:daughter relationship.
“Loula’s power rests in how she brings together people on the margins and makes space for the process of play by allowing for accidents. She creates joyous instruments that are embedded in egalitarianism.” Natalie Sharp, Artist, Sound Generator 2021 Artist & 2022 Judge.
Piera Onacko is a pianist, synth player and composer with deep roots in jazz practices and an interest in improvisation through live electronics. Her newest outfit, un.procedure features xxx with recent commission by Birmingham Jazzlines. Piera is a 2022 Jerwood Jazz Encounters artist.
During Sound Generator Piera will develop an installation and audience outreach experience. Following a call-out for home video footage, Piera plans to create a series of aural collages and layers of ‘sound memory’ to accompany visual footage, exploring the fragility and subjectivity of how memories exist within us.
“Piera Onacko brings a blast of raw but well channelled energy to the world of jazz and improvised music that should see her produce thrilling work.” Kevin Le Gendre, writer and journalist & Sound Generator Judge.
Delia Stevens is a percussionist, musician and composer who performs across multiple genres and instruments. Her work has been described by Evan Davies, BBC Radio 4, as “a toe-tapping challenge to the unthinking extension of artificial intelligence running our lives."
*Unfortunately Delia Stevens is no longer taking part in this year's Sound Generator programme due to health reasons.*
ABOUT SOUND GENERATOR:
What is it?
Sound Generator creates a space for artists to develop and test ambitious ideas. Supported by this scheme, artists will be able to try out new approaches, learn from others and develop their practice. Each artist is awarded £2000 each to research and develop their idea across 6 months (April to September 2022). This includes creating a short audio or video sample and proposal for its delivery.
Each artist will have access to the Sound Generator Network with support sessions from a range of exceptional mentors. From leading creative, technical, communication and funding professionals to programme directors and the Sound UK team. The artists will also have regular opportunities to meet other Sound Generator artists to share ideas and learn from each other.
Upon completion of the programme, Sound Generator artist ideas will be presented to industry partners across art forms and settings. Each year up to a third of Sound Generator project ideas will become Sound UK commissions, reaching a wide, national audience as part of our annual programme.
Who is it for?
Sound Generator is aimed at any UK artist pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. Working within, but not exclusively, jazz, sound, folk, classical and electronic music, plus all points in between. Project ideas could be indoors or outdoors, venue based or site specific, digital, installation or live, sound, music or multi-disciplinary. Artists may want to reach a new audience, work with the community or respond to the world we live in.
It is designed for creators with 5 – 10 years professional experience who want to develop bold new ideas that extend their practice and discipline. Awards will be made to artists representing the full cultural diversity of the UK, with 50% to female artists.
Sound Generator is funded by Arts Council England and PRS Foundation. Sound UK is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL.
