Episode 5 | Process: How To Make A Sonic Story
“People who suffer poor representation, like all of us, are well-served by sound art, I believe. Sound is like code in these ways. I think it sends people into their body and takes them to memories and will later remind them of things.
And it sticks.”
This final episode recaps the series’ previous themes while meditating on ‘process’ for individual Black sound makers. Unlike other episodes that collage around a central theme, “How to Write a Sonic Story” features interviews by long-time storytellers, the episode offers insight to those interested in building up their own repertoire around sonic storytelling.
Featuring jamilah malika abu-bakare, Mahlikah the Moonrise Poet, NASRA, Myrtle Henry Sodhi, tUkU matthews, Alannah Johnson, and Whitney French
About jamilah malika abu-bakare:
jamilah malika abu-bakare is an artist and writer contemplating refusal, repetition, dedication, and intimacy through sound art, video essay, text off-page, and/or installation. Whatever the form, she centers Black women with care and puts on listening before looking. by doing so, both jamilah and the audience move towards their collective freedom. Her work has been played or shown from Sweden to LA, and across Canada, including Contemporary Field Gallery (Vancouver,) Circuit Gallery (Toronto), and Artscape (Peterborough). Her writing most recently appeared in Canadian Art magazine. Her first curatorial project AURAL ALTERITIES is on view at auralalterities.com.
Art that Influenced this Episode:
Hush Harbour Sonic Walks
Soundscapes by Camille Turner
Episode 210 Arlo Parks “Black Dog”
Podcast by Song Exploder
Liner Notes for the Revolution:
The Intellectual Life of Black Feminist Sound
Book by Daphne Brooks
The Sound of Culture: Diaspora and Black Technopoetics
Book by Louis Onuorah Chude-Sokei
Podcast by Tara Roberts
About the Writers:
TK Matunda is a Toronto-based writer and producer. Her work has been featured on Racist Sandwich, Heavy Flow and CBC. Most notably season 3 of Secret Life of Canada.
About the Audio Series:
Speech Sounds is a 5-part audio-series showcasing sound artists, griots, and poets working while engaging in a conversation around memory and culture for those within the African diaspora.
Speech Sounds is funded by the Canada Arts Council and the Ontario Arts Council. Speech Sound has received financial and in-kind support from OCAD University, Writing While Black collective, ROOM Magazine as well as our donors. Thank you to everyone who believes in our project.