Soundwalks on Bandcamp | Alec Finlay & Chris Watson

During the coronavirus lockdowns, walking became an important way to connect with the outside world. At the same time, the world got quieter, making the sounds of wildlife more noticeable to many. In March of 2020, premier field recordist Chris Watson was asked by artist Alec Finlay to record soundwalks for Scottish charity Paths for All, which would be “aimed at people, not just with regards to the pandemic, but who are less able physically to get out,” Watson explained. “Alec’s idea was to take people to these places in sound. So I did binaural mixes because really, that’s designed for headphone listening. You can just put the headphones on, close your eyes, and go to that place. There’s a narrative element to it. It’s a journey.” Watson made two mixes, one of the Scottish Highlands and one of the Lowlands, that offer “imaginative access” to these astonishing environments. Though the lockdowns are over, these recordings remain essential. [Matthew Blackwell]

www.bandcamp.com
Two Audio Walks by Chris Watson