Cities and Memory - remixing the world

"I was instantly drawn to Alan Cook's recording of waves crashing into the sea wall rocks at Port Noarlunga in South Australia. I manipulated the original field recording in such a way as to reimagine the state of wakefulness leading to sleep, otherwise known as hypnagogia. As well as working with the original field recording, I added various synthesiser parts to the composition." Port Noarlunga reimagined by Jase Warner. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"Adriatic Moons is an explorative-ambient composition inspired and incorporating a field recording by Rafael Diogo from Kororez bay, Albania. After researching the location of recording, the cyclical nature of the tides and circadian rhythms - sonic convolution and granular synthesis were applied to the source sounds and the piece was composed around the ebb and flow of the tidal movement. "The intention of the piece is to abstract lucid harmonic narrative and entwine the compositional flow with tidal movement to reflect circadian rhythms and explore how the nature of sleep responds to our environment." Krorez Bay reimagined by R.Seiliog. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"For this project, I left the field recording largely intact because the pulse of the crashing waves already felt like being rocked to sleep. Listening to it felt like breathing. I wanted to create music that reflected this peaceful feeling of being lulled to sleep. I think low frequencies can be relaxing so I employed a rocking motion that reflected the pulse of the waves in the bass, but kept it very soft. I used electric guitar to add a dreamy quality that would induce a relaxed state to get ready for sleep." Krorez Bay reimagined by aimless ohm. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"Inspired by the already profound sense of calm the field recording instilled in me, I added a few simple sound beds and wove in some minimal piano notes to create a serene soundscape that will (hopefully) help gently lull the listener into a state of gentle slumber." Belarus bird tower reimagined by Jenn Howd. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"Sounds of rain and birds layered with non-linear hardware synths improvisation. Recorded during the midnight thunderstorm in the forest not far from the field recording area." Belarus bird tower reimagined by nWave. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"The sounds of the Albanian Lengarica Canyon inspired me to create this piece where the gentle murmurs of the river intertwine harmoniously with the ethereal notes of a bass flute and electronic sounds, conjuring a tranquil ambiance. My adjustments to the field recording have been minimal, preserving its raw essence. The sustained, airy notes are thoughtfully woven throughout, guiding the listener towards a meditative state, gently encouraging slower breaths, and ultimately, fostering a profound sense of peace and serenity." Lengarica Canyon reimagined by Carmen Terol. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Klejdi Shtrepi, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

"The source field recording of waves washing over Albanian rocks conjured the beauty of both white noise and organic tidal repetition, that was kept entirely in tact as the foundation of the work, adding the sounds of twilight birds giving way to cicadas in the swelter of a night in Sungai Petani, Malaysia. "I added gongs and bells recorded from the Longplayer project at the listening post at Michael Faraday's Experimental Lighthouse in London and underpinned the piece with some gentle repetitive drones." Krorez Bay reimagined by Michael Agar. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"I wanted the sea to bridge the work and thought of the reimagined piece as being a number of destinations on the way to falling asleep. I, like many have to work hard to fall asleep, either counting backwards from 10,000, breathing exercises to settle or achieving a state of exhaustion through exercise. Anything to escape the screen and interruptions to "healthy sleep habits" being formed. I used a number of re tracked and collapsed samples feeding them haphazard into a Chase Bliss Habit pedal and then adding Lyra 8 drones and freestyle organ parts ( i am yet to learn chords preferring to rest my fingers on the keyboard that feel just about right). It felt important to remove what I thought could be a cliched "neo ambient" approach to the field recording of the sea and felt obliged to no achieve spa level nirvana. I wanted the listener to work on getting to the last few minutes, navigating a track that is constantly changing with only the hint of a refrain." Gjipe nightfall reimagined by Andy Billington. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Leeturtle, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

"The field recording is from Gjipe, a secluded beach on the Albanian Riviera. The piece, Një Ëndërr Gjipe (A Dream of Gjipe), draws on the whispers of the sea communicating with us, drawing us into a sleepy dreamy state, the ebb and flow of the soft piano mimicking the sea lulling us into this serene reverie." Gjipe waves reimagined by Moray Newlands. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Ocean surging against sea wall rocks. Recorded by Alan Cook. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

While staying in the village, the best time for sleeping is when it is raining. This recording was made by myself during a sound expedition with ornithologist Vitaly Kosheev. We where planning to record the signing of cranes that where on the other side of the lake, but rain started and they didn't sign at all. Recorded by Anton Anischanka. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

While hiking along the unexplored paths of Lengarica Canyon in Albania, one cannot help but be awestruck by the gentle murmur of small river streams. These delicate sounds weave a soothing melody, creating crystal-clear natural pools along the way. As you pause to admire the breathtaking majesty of the canyon's limestone walls, a sense of wonder envelops you, immersing you in nature's grandeur. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Klejdi Shtrepi, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

It is a truly captivating experience to listen to the gentle caress of waves as they tenderly kiss the shoreline, and then extend their affectionate touch to embrace the caves within the canyon. This rhythmic dance, a back-and-forth response to the water's elemental embrace, unfolds in the remote splendour of Gjipe Canyon in Albania. It is a harmonious symphony that epitomizes the enchantment of this remarkable natural wonder. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The melodic sound of waves gracefully traversing through rocky crevices along the coastline of Krorez Bay awakens the senses. The rhythmic movement of the water produces a refreshing symphony that entices anyone to rise and behold the captivating expanse of the sea. This remote location in Albania beckons with its serene allure. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The melodic sound of gentle waves upon the shoreline orchestrates a serene dance on this blissfully warm day. Here I stand, alone, amidst a captivating desert coastline — one of the hidden gems nestled in the remote corners of Albania. To reach this secluded paradise, one must embark upon a journey either by boat or through an arduous trek that demands a few hours of dedication. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The nightfall over Gjipe’s Canyon is an experience in itself, where the waves gracefully dance to the rhythm of the nocturnal sea breeze. It is a solitude soundscape, an enchanting symphony that echoes through the untamed wilderness of Albania. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Leeturtle, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When the sea communicates in whispers, it is in those moments that the sea breeze gracefully embraces and hushes the bustling sounds of the ocean, crafting a serene and delicate soundscape. This melodic symphony, found along the coastline of Gjipe, hidden within the remote canyons of Albania, possesses the power to lull one into a state of tranquility, inducing a sleepy and dreamy ambience. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

"The piece is an attempt to represent my peculiar sleep experiences in recent months. I perform as a percussionist with the band Foals and when the Music For Sleep project was announced I was midway through a 5 week tour of the US. Instinctively, I selected a field recording made back in my hometown of Oxford. During the tour I've so often fallen asleep on various modes of transport, dreaming of home, before waking up to discover my reality is quite different; stuck somewhere in a Dallas airport for example. The piece blends the original Oxford recording processed as part of a floating dream sequence, which is then interrupted by another field recording, taken by myself in a Dallas airport train. Why the announcer seems to say 'Dream' and not 'Train' is strange and unexplained and quite beautiful...who knows if it actually happened...I was half asleep when I recorded it." Stonor Park, Oxfordshire reimagined by Kit Monteith. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"The inspiration for »lwrcs« was mainly driven by the feedback-like howling of the wind in the original field recording. It’s rich in frequencies but also has something eerie yet warm to it. When being played silently it sounds like a sung melody. Digital and analog feedback loops and warm tape noise create the framework for the heavily processed fragments of the field recording. Here and there you can catch a glimpse of recordings from my collaboration with AM (in paseule) as well as an inaudible voice reading a poem about the conquering of nightmares. "As studies indicate that it takes (healthy) people about 15 minutes on average to fall asleep, the piece is exactly 15 minutes in length. "To add to the idea of creating music that aids your sleep, the overall mix and master of »lwrcs« peaks about -30dB. Thus, you won’t be able to draw any rewarding experience from listening via phone or laptop speakers. »lwrcs« is meant to be listened with earphones while in bed with the volume turned all the way up. But be cautious that it’s the only track in line – otherwise your sleep will end abruptly. Good night!" Toronto storm reimagined by BYDL. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"How does one create a sound to help others to sleep and not make it tedious? I enjoyed the "bubbling, hot pool" of Tim Kahn's field recording and tried to create something that takes someone on an exploration but can also possibly induce a feeling of calm and serenity." Field, Oregon hot pools reimagined by Bill McKenna. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/