Presented as part of Sound Symposium’s ONSOUND II: Patchwork Quilt.

Sound Walk Introduction

“This sound walk is organized around the concept of relaxation. But what does it mean to relax? The answer, of course, differs from person to person. Some individuals find relaxation in heavy metal music and industrial soundscapes, while others seek comfort in the familiar ambience of a coffeehouse playlist. For some, relaxation emerges through the calm and reassuring voices of guided meditation applications; for others, it is found in complete silence.

Perhaps the central insight is that relaxation depends upon choice. To relax, we require a degree of freedom, the freedom to determine which sounds, environments, and experiences provide us with comfort and ease.

With that in mind, I am grateful that you have chosen to spend part of your Sunday morning with me and my companion, T.R.I.S.H. Even if you do not feel particularly relaxed today, I hope that our walk, our conversations, and the sounds we encounter together may encourage you to reflect on what relaxation means in your own life.

For me, relaxation is deeply connected to artistic practice. It is found not only in the act of creating, but also in the act of sharing. It is therefore a pleasure to introduce my friend T.R.I.S.H., who has already brought me considerable joy. As you may notice, I maintain a fairly relaxed attitude toward construction materials as well. T.R.I.S.H. is an eighty-pound, custom-built sound-delivery system, designed to reproduce the frequencies and compositions we have chosen to share with you today.

Our third sound artist, however, is the city itself. I encourage you not to resist or filter out the sounds that accompany us throughout this experience. Instead, consider them collaborators within this dynamic urban environment.

This will not be a long walk. I will do my best to avoid stairs, as they are rarely associated with relaxation.

Surprises, too, are not always conducive to relaxation. For that reason, I would like to explain what you can expect during our time together. My hope is that a clear understanding of the structure of this experience will allow you to engage with it more comfortably.

Each stop will feature a brief reflection on a particular aspect of relaxation, followed by a short musical composition written in response to those reflections. These thoughts may at times be passionate, occasionally preachy, and perhaps even a little chaotic. Nevertheless, they represent a sincere exploration of the many ways in which we seek, experience, and understand relaxation.”