Music:Leeds x Launchpad Commission 2020
Sonic Stops - Better Songs Productions
As part of our Launchpad programme and alongside Abbey House Museum, we held an open call to commission a Leeds-based music creator, sound artist or collective to create a new sound-based artwork or audio-focused 'digital experience' inspired by the Sounds of Our City exhibition at Abbey House Museum. Following the application and review process ‘Sonic Stops’ by Rosie and Verity of Better Songs Productions was chosen. Find out more about the commission below.
Sonic stops: Virtual Premiere
On 28th April there was a Virtual Premiere of 'Sonic Stops' by Better Songs: an audio-visual response to the Sounds of our City exhibition.
The compositions were paired with video footage created by Split Design for a virtual premiere that took viewers across Leeds, first from South to North on the number 2 First Bus route starting at 7 pm, then from West to East on the 50A First Bus route, starting at 8 pm with each route lasting around 45 minutes.
The soundscapes are available to listen to online or on the routes themselves when we are all able to get back on to buses as normal.
About The Project
The project allows listeners to trace the musical geography of the city, following the route of two existing First Bus journeys crossing South to North and West to East.
Through two soundscape compositions spanning the length of the bus journeys, listeners will move in real-time through musical ‘stops’ immersing them in some of the music styles, places and stories featured in the Sounds of Our City exhibition. Making use of audio from the archive as well as new collaborations with local musicians, the soundscapes will weave together music, speech and atmospheric sounds to create a continuous journey and leave the listener curious to discover more.
About The Artists
Rosie Parsons and Verity Watts are audio producers based in Leeds. Verity brings her experience as a producer for BBC 6 Music, Radio Leeds, commercial and community radio together with a passion for making unconventional and immersive audio. Rosie is a producer whose interest in using sound creatively has led her to make audio walks, sound art and radio documentary.
Individually and working together as Better Songs Productions, they bring a range of creative approaches to tell stories and explore places through sound.
About Sounds of Our City
Sounds of Our City at Abbey House Museum tells the story of how the different musical styles and places of Leeds interact. Within the exhibition you can discover fascinating instruments and sound equipment made in Leeds, explore the different venues associated with music in the city over the past 200 years and relive some of the city’s most iconic performances through the memorabilia featured.
While the exhibition has been forced to close its doors to the public throughout most of 2019, much of the content is now featured online, and it will remain on display at Abbey House until the end of 2021.
The commission is part of the Launchpad project to support artists and emerging music professionals in Yorkshire. Launchpad is supported by Youth Music, with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, alongside Leeds 2023 & Leeds City Council, and as a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner.
