In this episode, Ken interviews Ben McCarthy, cocreator, editor and composer of Downstream from What.
Ben McCarthy’s compositional practice takes found sound as source material. Sometimes using text or audio documentary underscored by synthesizers and voice, his compositions and installations raise questions about acoustic epistemologies specifically around the social and economical conditions that produce the listening subject.
McCarthy has been recording music for 15 years as a solo artist and collaborator. He won the Dora award for Outstanding Sound Design and Composition in Independent Theatre in 2019. His work with art video game collective SpekWork has been shown at the Venice Biennale, Amaze Berlin, and Mayworks’ Nightshift. Recent digital and interactive works have been included in the Social Distancing, Vector and Cluster Festivals.
Photo credit : Alejandro Santiago
This episode also includes original tracks from Ben's back catalogue including:
'Debt' and 'illiterate composer' from little music available here: https://paleeyesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/little-music
'First as Tragedy' from Sensual Choices, which you can but here: https://paleeyesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/sensual-choices
'After Anomie (more hope)' and 'S+H Ground' from Decorative Arts available here: https://paleeyesmusic.bandcamp.com/album/decorative-arts
To find out more about and to follow Ben's work, please check out the following links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paleeyesmusic/
For updates on the pod and more, follow Ken here: https://www.instagram.com/ken._moffatt_/
