Wednesday 29th August 2012 – Sound for Events – Enriching Experience

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Jay

We live in world bathed in sound but because it’s effects can be subtle, the impact of sound can sometimes go unnoticed. Sound is full of emotion, most obviously in the voices of the people we meet or the music we listen to, but there is also emotional content in pretty much every other sound you hear. Sound for events can harness this power.

The largest, and probably most subtle, application of sound using this unnoticed emotional content is in film through sound design (all the sounds in film that aren’t music). Music in a film affects film viewing massively (try turning a TV down and adding your own music) but people are still not really aware of the depth film sound designers go to carry the story of a film. There are an endless array of tricks sound designers use but here are a couple: they can (subtly or not so subtly) add ferocious animal sounds to human shouts to make them seem more violent; gradually raise the pitch and/or speed of sounds through a scene to increase tension. The viewer may not even realise this is going on but they will definitely feel more tense. This theory can also be used in live situations such as sound for events…

I recently came back from a great holiday driving around Europe. I visited Belgium and Germany and unfortunately enough for my girlfriend, my geeky thoughts on sound don’t switch off when not at work…I noticed some great examples of manipulating sound: we visited Ypres, Belgium, the location of some of the most horrific battles of World War One. Here, there is a very moving museum with fantastic thought-provoking and emotional exhibits. However, added to this experience was a low minor (sad sounding) chord drone wafting throughout the exhibition space. It was unrelenting and even though you may not notice it after a while, it gradually exhausts you physically and mentally so that by the time you reach the end, you are emotionally exhausted. Of course, the subject matter and exhibits are powerful on their own but the effect was really noticed when they turned this background sound off at closing time. Again, sound for events could harness such power even if this example is very dark and sensitive.

Another example came from visiting caves near Rochefort, Belgium. Toward the end of the tour, we were treated with a sound and light show in a very large cavern. My mind may have been thinking of ways that I may have created the sounds, but the the epic surroundings and echo of the caves were really used well to produce a really immersive experience. Sound for events could also harness a space and the sound within it.

There are other more mundane applications too: barriers have been used next to motorways/freeways for a while now in an acknowledgement that the sound generated by lots of cars continuously traveling at 70mph + has an adverse effect on people that live nearby. It’s not just a case of noise getting in the way though; such noises are fatiguing to listen to and can give a claustrophobic sense of being under constant bombardment which increases stress levels i.e. it has a direct effect on your emotions. Sound for events could also use preventative measures like this or even produce these negative effects on purpose!

In contrast to manmade noise, we experience the non-manmade sounds which also have an effect upon us (I would say nature-sounds but we are part of nature, right?). If you’ve ever spent any time in a park having a snooze, you may remember the gentle meditative affects of trees swishing in the wind and nearby streams bubbling away (…and those same streams possibly increasing your urge to visit the toilet…). Both the morning chorus of birds singing at the arrival of daylight and crickets chirping at night also put your mind in very different moods. Some work I am currently undertaking with the London Bubble Theatre Group will use such ideas to bring about a meditative effect. You can see that sound for events could also be subtle but still have a wonderful affect.

Other projects that I have undertaken have also utilised the sounds around us to produce feeling in more abstract ways. In ‘Some London Life’, I created a narrative journey through various London spaces to give the listener a sense of being there, evoking emotions that may be attached to them. Over this, I created a sense of the fantastical to develop these feelings. ‘Secret Soundtrack’ used one specific environment and the people within it to manipulate feelings by creating something fantastical out of an everyday experience. The feeling of space and it’s effect on human experience were key in both these projects. This work was also continued by teaming up with a photographer to enhance dreamy sensations and emotions.

Other projects that I have undertaken focused more on the physical aspects of sound. ‘Baralek Rendang’ used properties of sounds to mimic taste with a view to doubling up the senses to create a more intense taste experience.

Soundscapes I am working on with the ‘Classic Horror Campaign’ use both space and physical properties of sounds to create fear and stress, sometimes using the motorway sound barrier effect in reverse.

As you can see, applying sound for events in ways which you may never have thought of can enrich experience and manipulate emotion. Such application works particularly well with events as it is an opportunity to affect your guests and draw them ever deeper into the atmosphere you want to create. This also adds another layer of experience and offers a unique opportunity to experience something new and interesting.

Unusual and novel delivery of sound for events will add further intrigue and depth: wireless headphones could be used very effectively at certain points; mini speakers hidden around an environment could offer various interlocking sounds creating a sort of audio secret garden; QR Codes could be used to access audio treasure; imagination is the only limit…

If thinking about sound for events in this way has taken your fancy, get in touch and we’ll work towards creating something very special. Also, if you would just like to know more or already have an interest in sound, please feel feel to get in touch for a chat!

Thursday 9th August 2012 – Sound for Events – Baralek Rendang

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Jay

So, my collaboration with the innovative events company Azanaya of Jakarta, Indonesia went very well. If this event is news to you, I created a conceptual soundscape based on Rendang food to be listened to when experiencing the food and spices that go into it. Check out the press release.

The event was a huge success with ten or so representatives of broadcast and print media attending as well as the Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister. The Minister was very impressed by the event and hinted that there could be support for a Rendang World Tour in 2013… Very exciting! The love for accessible food, culture and events has really shined through with Baralek Rendang. This was truly an event for the people, while not being afraid to experiment; and it is this set of values that contributed to the success of the event. Much love was put into Baralek Rendang, and it follows that much love came out of it.

My contribution to this fantastic event was a fascinating challenge for me. I had to create a piece that described the slow, labour-intensive process of Rendang cooking; a process where much love and attention creates a dish suitable for ceremony and warmly welcoming special guests. Rendang is steeped in tradition and local culture with the complexity of it’s flavours only being matched by the complexity of the ingredients and cooking process. Each set of ingredients symbolises a section of the Minang culture: Leadership, religious leaders, intellectuals and the community.

As a backdrop, I used recordings of the Sumatran jungle and coastlines that echo the homes of the Minang people, who created Rendang; the sounds of the jungle changing as the day goes on. Solitary pipes then beckon in the traveller from their weary journey. From this, distant celebratory folk music of the Minang emanates, getting closer and closer to the listener as the Rendang process matures. Sonic interpretations of the various spices used in Rendang cooking are then slowly introduced, each having a prominence of it’s own and part to say regarding the Rendang symbolism. The piece matures ever-so slowly and carefully but all of the sonic ingredients come together in an intricate and hearty peak showing that the Rendang is ready to enjoy. The Rendang is then enjoyed but the very heart of Rendang becomes more prominent in the form of the celebrations that caused it to exist.

If it didnt play automatically, the piece can be heard below, so put some headphones on and enjoy Rendang. Of course, this piece is enjoyed better while enjoying Rendang food, so if you have access to some make sure you combine your tastebuds and ears… If not, then maybe a Rendang World Tour event will be coming to you soon…

Read Azanaya’s testimonial on this piece.

Piece is an MP3 to ease your loading time!

Thursday 12th July 2012 – Soundscape – Baralek Rendang.

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Jay

Below is the press release for an event in Indonesia that I recently created a soundscape for. The event is being put on by Azanaya, who won a ‘Best of 2010’ award in ‘Time Out magazine – Jakarta’ and I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to work with such forward-thinking, and creative people. While talking to Lisa Virgiano, of Azanaya, I got such a huge sense of her desire to create events that are unique and innovative. We seem to be living in times where these qualities are taking centre stage once again, making our times very exciting indeed. Some people only see the problems we are currently going through so it’s refreshing to be part of a process that focuses on people and innovation; these are the people that I aim to reach with my work.

This event was interesting to me for a number of reasons, but the chance to work on a soundscape conceptually really gets my brain working, which I love! The soundscape I created uses sound to help evoke sensory memory and ties in the philosophies and heritage of the Rendang method of cooking. Rendang cooking is an important tradition of the Minang people of Sumatra, Indonesia. The different ingredients symbolise the various factions of their culture and the various types of Rendang dish are used ceremonially in important events.

Well, that’s enough from me; have a read below and if you will be in Jakarta on 4th August, 2012 get in touch with Azanaya here. I’ll publish my soundscape and talk a little about it after the event.

————————

“Baralek Rendang is inspired by the manifestation of the Indonesian cuisine heritage, Rendang, which has been ranked as the most delicious food in the world by CNNGO (September, 2011). We dedicate this event to all food lovers who would like to engage in a mind-opening gastronomical experience by inducing their senses through touch, sight, taste, smell, and even sound, in the setting of communal dining.

The event is something different and a breakthrough because for the first time in Asia, a combination of sound design, aromatic spices, and the experience of flavor will be used to enhance the dining experience. A conceptual sound manifesto to bring out the philosophy of Rendang as an Indonesian cuisine heritage has been created by talented UK sound designer Jay Harris; the participants are not only stimulated through sight, smell, and taste, but it is also a great chance to experience how sound can be delicious and food can be harmonious!

Baralek Rendang Concept:
Baralek means colossal banquet in the Minang language..

Many don’t really comprehend that Rendang holds an exceptional position in a particular Baralek celebration; it is an honorable representation of a host’s hospitality.

And Rendang is NOT a noun. It is actually a verb!

Rendang is a process of cooking, not merely a food. It is an elaborate and elegant cooking process that involves intense labour, craftsmanship, an understanding of fine spices, and perfect timing. Rendang is not only made from beef shanks; it can be made from different ingredients, such as forest leaves, mussels, black glutinous rice, eggs, chicken, exotic jack fruit, and many more. A proper understanding of Rendang as a cooking process should be ensured through fun and interactive presentation, taste education, and games. That’s why we initiated Baralek Rendang, to promote this understanding.

We will guide guests to another magical dining experience through a provocative and delectable Rendang sensation. An exploration of flavours, heritage values, and exotic ingredients are involved to make sure the event delivers the utmost local flavour to all guests.

Baralek Rendang will not only feature different varieties of Rendang from Minangkabau but will also present a fun sensory game for all guests in which they will deduce which ingredients are being used in the menu. An installation of fresh ingredients will be displayed for all guests to see, smell, taste, and touch, while listening. Later on, they will be given an opportunity to specify which ingredients are being used in the menu. The guest who produces the highest score will win a fabulous prize.”

Those readers that are in Jakarta should definitely check out this fantastic event!

A Soundscape will contribute towards your event being an unforgettable experience. It could also be used to enhance your sensory branding to ensure that guests will think of you after they have left your event. Contact me for further information and read about past projects below.

If my work in soundscape for events, sound design for film or composing interests you join my mailing list to find out more.