Sound Generator is Sound UK’s research and development (R&D) programme that supports artists and seeds the development of an ambitious new project.
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.
Introducing our 2023 Sound Generator artists:
Chizu Anucha is an audio-visual artist working with music and its relationship to the moving image. His practice meets at the intersection of music composition, video and site-responsive performance. His moving image work romanticises everyday practices through poetic and reflexive styles of documentary filmmaking, while his music brings together internal conflicts, yearnings and nostalgic relics to investigate the historical tensions inherent in the publicness of the black body.
Through Sound Generator Chizu plans to develop an ambient music, sound and video installation that centers black and POC perspectives and experiences in spirituality. The project will bring together an accumulation of recorded conversations between black creative practitioners with connections to indigenous spiritualities, voice note submissions, found sounds, archived sonic relics and field recordings.
“Chizu is at a really exciting stage in his career, and this project combining artist development and community organisation will be integral in his development.” Elizabeth Sills, Grants & Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation & 2023 Sound Generator Judge.
Heledd C Evans is an artist and facilitator based in Cardiff, working with sound as both medium and subject matter – from site specific installations and performances, to multi-layered soundscapes. Recently she worked with Ty Cerdd and Theatr Soar to create a new composition for the recently restored organ, performed by James McVinnie. In addition to her solo practice she is one half of sound performance duo Ardal Bicnic, working in various locations across South Wales and touring UK-wide.
As part of Sound Generator, Heledd will undertake research and development for a site specific sound installation in Merthyr Tydfil, responding to the physical environment and landscape, to develop a work that is truly site specific, socially engaged and for and created with the people of Merthyr.
"What intrigued me was how much the artist transported me to this community within their music work and vision. This site-specific work will surely have an inspiring impact on the local community and beyond." Chisara Agor – Artist & Sound Generator Judge 2023
Caitlin LM is an electronic producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Manchester. Her ethereal vocals and live instruments meld with pulsating synths and undulating beats to create a powerful yet intimate sound world, taking inspiration from the likes of Bonobo and Thom Yorke. Her latest single ‘Evergreen’ was featured on BBC Radio 6, Fresh On the Net and BBC Radio Manchester Introducing and she is performing at festivals across the UK this summer.
Caitlin will use Sound Generator to explore the mysterious world of fungi with a live project that involves a guided mushroom forage followed by a performance inspired by different kinds of mushrooms and their powers. The piece will involve live electronics, live instruments and field recordings from foraging - this combination of sound worlds emulating the two worlds of human and fungi.
“A project that develops Caitlin's existing devotion to the natural environment and lifts it to another level of audience engagement.” Dominic Gray, Director, Opera North Projects and 2023 Sound Generator Judge.
Nikki Sheth is an internationally recognised sound artist and composer. Her practice involves field recording, multichannel soundscape composition, multimedia installations, sound mapping and soundwalking. She uses sound as a medium to bring a voice to the environment and encourage a wider awareness of the natural world.
With the use of 3D recording technologies and field recording, Nikki’s Sound Generator project, Immersive Soundscapes for Well-Being, will explore the psychological effects of environmental sound in well-being spaces and highlight the use of environmental sound as a tool for well-being.
“I was so impressed with Nikki’s music, and I am really excited to see how this composition develops.” - Elizabeth Sills, Grants & Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation & 2023 Sound Generator Judge.
Read our interview with Nikki here
Gwen Siôn is an award-winning composer, producer and multidisciplinary artist working with sound, sculpture, video and installation. She creates multi-instrumental, vocal and electronic compositions, and her own hand-built instruments and electronic sound devices by recycling found objects and natural materials. Gwen is interested in the relationship between sound and environment, ecology, mythology, ritual and synaesthetic crossover.
Gwen will research and develop a new project for concert venues, which fosters connections between Celtic folk motifs, working class culture, experimental electronic music and orchestral composition. Having been raised in North Wales first language Welsh in a slate quarrying community, Gwen is keen to explore the important cultural relationship which exists in this area between music (especially quarrymen’s choirs) and landscape, and its deeper roots in Celtic oral tradition but by bringing this into a current space through electronic music and experimental contemporary orchestral composition.
"Gwen's music and artistic vision appears to be at a tipping point in her career, the combination of folk traditions, orchestral and electronic music is a combination that will challenge the composers own development and present audiences with a new, bold piece." Chisara Agor – Artist & Sound Generator Judge 2023
Marco Woolf’s music can be difficult to categorise. His lyrics are introspective and insightful - earning him a reputation as a self-evidently skilled storyteller - though thoughtful instrumentation is just as crucial to his compositions, clearly considered to ensure it possesses comparable weight to his wording. With the support of Sound Generator Marco Woolf will continue to expand his creative world by incorporating contemporary dance into his work.
Through the programme, Marco Woolf will explore how improvised music and storytelling can be combined with dance and movement to develop a new live show, Erinyes. The show is inspired by the Furies from the ancient Greek play The Oresteia and explores ways that we can heal and grow from collective trauma.
“Marco's music is already collaborative and generous; working with dance and storytelling will deepen his art and find new audiences.” Dominic Gray, Director, Opera North Projects and 2023 Sound Generator Judge.
ABOUT SOUND GENERATOR:
What is it?
Now in its third year, Sound Generator is Sound UK's research and development (R & D) programme that supports artists and seeds the development of an ambitious new project.
Each year six early career music and sound artists spend six months developing and testing their project, supported by mentoring from a range of experts.
By the end of the programme artists will have thoroughly explored their initial idea and tested that they can make it work, ready for the next stage of full commissioning and public engagement.
During the process artists will be able to try out new approaches, learn from others, increase their network and develop their practice.
Sound Generator is funded by Arts Council England and PRS Foundation. Sound UK is a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner supported by PPL.
