Warped Love Group have just released a stunning electronic (electro-acoustic?) album through us, where warped sounds, luscious saxophone melodies and warm bass take the listener on a ‘psychogeography’ of Sussex. Jake Smith writes about the process of collecting the field recordings he used for the album. Listen here
‘Made of mind’ is a lockdown album of sorts in that it was made during the first year of the pandemic. I was working throughout this period but the lack of stuff to do in the evening opened up the space for creativity. The theme of the album revealed itself as the work progressed – there was no overarching concept to begin with, just an idea about the sound palette and feel. I introduced field recordings that I’d collected over the years from nearby areas that have a special resonance for me – Birling Gap, Ashdown Forest, Barcombe Mill, Wolstonbury Hill. Places that now existed in the memory due to restrictions on movement.
One track ‘Beached’ features a recording of a lockdown busting birthday gathering an anti-vax friend organised on the sea front in Brighton. I felt like I’d been transported to an alternative Lynchian reality inhabited by conspiracy enthusiasts and ‘truth’ proclaimers discussing the dark implications of vaccination technology and imminent authoritarian tech takeover by the powers that be. While I take a more middle of the road view on these matters it was interesting being exposed to these paranoid opinions (and who knows they may be right.) The whole occasion had a very uplifting carnival vibe to it with music, drumming, skating, singing and a bottle of fine whisky being handed round. I had to admire the fearlessness (foolhardiness?) and spirit of all present.
Recording the weird bleepy Southern Water station sound at Barcombe Mill was also quite an adventure. I first noticed this odd sound on a family visit to this location during the day walking along the river. I decided to go back at night to record it as the background noise would be quieter. Being a foolish city type I didn’t think about the level of darkness out in the country on an overcast night. I brought no torch and visibility was practically zero. I very carefully walked through the fields by the river at a snail’s pace to avoid falling in and trying to miss the sleeping cows dotted about. It was a very unnerving experience but I eventually found the location and got a great recording of this sound. Whenever I hear it I’m instantly transported back to that time and place.
‘Made of mind’ is a reference to the Zen belief that consciousness is the basis of reality (and after spending many hours of sitting zazen I conclude this is in fact true). It seemed like a relevant title as no matter what restrictions are imposed upon us the imagination will always remain a free realm.
Written by Jake Smith
Castle Cooperative Records 