Chatswood station

The aim of this Echoes project is to bring the user on a “tour” style walk around the popular areas of Chatswood. While walking around, the user will encounter the beginnings of Chatswood, the big Westfield shopping center and will depart via the Train Station. The narration of the tour should feel more like a friend over a tour guide as they will guide you around the place and see you off. This tour should allow the user to immerse themselves in the area while also learning about the history of the area. IMAGE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chatswood,_New_South_Wales

This locative audio project links my local train station and the daily commute with reflections on the corona virus outbreak of 2020 and a meditation of the sometimes bizarre and disturbing audio culture of the Sydney Trains PA systems. Don’t take this too seriously, it’s aim is to get you listening, but it might also make you stop and think. Is the language of train announcements in Sydney a reflection of creeping authoritarianism that we have all participated in since September 11 2001 and Australia’s involvement in a 20 year-long war of revenge in Afghanistan and the subsequent civil war in Syria? Does our broad acceptance of stringent lock-downs to control the spread of the virus reflect our fearful and obedient public culture more broadly? Are the liberties that we cherish and that allow us to enjoy the beauty and order of our city under threat? What if we were to succumb to the populist attractions of a Trump, Erdogan, Modi or Putin? Should we pay more attention to our national politics if the voice of our public utilities normalises the insinuations of authority, coercion and control? Enjoy your walk on the platforms and overpass at Normanhurst station, and enjoy your trip!

Welcome to The Road of Northbridge – Sailors Bay Road. This road is host to many of the great aspects that make up the amazing suburb of Northbridge in the Lower area of Sydney’s North Shore. Take the time to walk from the waterside park of Clive Park to the busy shopping district at the corner of Sailors Bay and Strathallan. In this walk you will pass Northbridge’s captivating blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and community charm. From the enchanting Northbridge Golf Course to the musical richness in the G major guitar studio. Embrace this audible euphoria and connect with the charming suburb of Northbridge. This walk is a representation of local community in this wonderful suburb. This walk takes you inside the cultural hub of Northbridge by showing you the appealing aspects of its splendid natural beauty and cultural richness through the flourishing array of sport, music, community centres and social areas. The walk starts you in Clive Park, the heart of the suburb’s natural beauty with its beach front view of the famous Sydney Harbour and its vast assortment of Australian bush. From Clive Park you will walk past the famous Northbridge golf course. Situated amongst the splendour of Northbridge, The Northbridge Golf Course stands testament to the harmony between nature and sport. This course is home to novices and enthusiasts of the game with an embodiment of panoramic vistas and unwavering commitment to excellence, attesting to the suburbs fostering community spirit and its commitment to sustainability. Next to the illustrious golf course is the Northbridge oval, a synthetic ground hosting leisurely activities as well as many football and cricket matches. Another indication of sustainability in the community, this oval is one of Northbridge’s cultural centres by playing host to teams from all around the city in football and cricket matches as well as training sessions. The multipurpose sporting field is a mantel piece and staple of the many things that create the amazing suburb of Northbridge. Across the road from the Northbridge oval is the G major guitar studio, created by Jimmy Chan in 2012. G major is the hub of musical culture in Northbridge by teaching over 100 students a year and having taught over a thousand students since its opening. From teaching students to putting on concerts, The G major guitar studio is the haven for musical culture and audible euphoria in Northbridge. The studio brings the whole community together and is a staple for cultural richness in the suburb. Up the road from the guitar studio is the shopping district of Northbridge, flourished with café’s, newsagencies, and restaurants. This area is the centre of cultural and social charm in the suburb and is enriched with vibrant tapestry. Northbridge offers an immersive shopping experience that caters to all. This project reflects all the cultural and natural beauty in this wonderful suburb of Northbridge. This walk encapsulates the captivating experience of life in Northbridge, taking you through a vibrant array of sports, music, nature, and shopping. The walk explores the tempestuity of the audible culture in the suburb from beautiful sounds of nature to the loud social environment of the shopping region. In this walk you should take the time to explore each region in which you hear the associated sounds so you can explore more than what you’re hearing and visually explore the amazing suburb of Northbridge. The sounds you are hearing in this walk have been recorded in a variety of places with a variety of lengths. All sounds were recorded from either my mobile phone or my AudioTechnica At2020 condenser microphone. I have mostly used atmospheric sounds to encapsulate the authentic experience of someone walking through this vibrant neighbourhood which makes the walk less fabricated and more acoustically designed. Sounds such as footsteps on gravel has been used to display the change of location and indicates the natural sounds of Northbridge. I’ve also incorporated a decay mod synth to create a sense of euphoria in the walk to elucidate the hauntingly beautiful aspects of this great suburb. This walk truly does encapsulate all the great aspects of Northbridge. On this walk listen out for the natural beauty, cultural richness, and community charm that this great suburb has to offer. Please enjoy your walk down Sailor’s Bay Road – THE Road of Northbridge. Credits Written and composed by: Billy Fennessy Additional Audio Components: Ben Tippett, Ollie Hilliard

A remote collaboration between two artists in Cornwall and rural Aberdeenshire. Initially based around the notions of parenthood, whilst also considering personal, geographical and political space. Composition naturally began to accommodate responses to the pandemic as the album was written during the COVID19 lockdown of 2020. The first five tracks use only the voice and audio production techniques, field recordings, and radio excerpts, whilst the final track contains additional instrumentation.

While walking through the lower North Shore suburb of Waverton, a feeling of community surrounds the small neighbourhood, with a healthy amount of nature filling most of the landscape. Waverton is home to many small businesses which are heavily supported by locals, which was crucial during the COVID-19 lockdowns throughout 2020 and 2021. The Coal Loader, which is home to a public piano, a den of chickens and an outlook on the water, is a popular spot amongst locals to go for a walk and relax during any desired time of day. There are many places to sit and enjoy the view, while the sounds of lorikeets and the water create a soothing atmosphere as background noise. Further up from the Coal Loader, Larkin street hosts a postcard-worthy view of the Harbour Bridge, which attracts people from far and wide on New Year's Eve. The view of the Harbour Bridge continues across Woolcott street past the train station between Waverton and North Sydney. As a result of Waverton’s breathtaking views of the harbour, the local government is undertaking a project to refurbish some key areas, to become more accessible to the public, and attract more people to the area. Waverton can be accessed via the train station that features on the T1, T9 and CCN train lines, and various bus routes in the surrounding area. The bay of water that surrounds the Coal Loader, stretches around Balls Head Reserve, which has many bush walks available to the public. This soundscape captures the environment of walking through Waverton, with three different sounds. This walk starts with quiet sound of traffic heading through Waverton, when it begins raining. The rain slowly subsides throughout the soundscape, where the sound of water lapping at the headland can be heard quietly in the background. This walk depicts the different identities of Waverton, with contrasting sounds such as traffic, wildlife, and nature to immerse the listener in the suburb.

Welcome to Ballast Point. This beautiful park boasts scenic walking paths, historical sculptures and installations as well as amazing panoramic views of the harbour. This park is a great spot to go and relax while taking in the environment around you. The aim of this project is to explore the relationship between nature and ambient music, and what kind of effects it can have on your emotions. As you walk through the park, you will be immersed by an ambient composition that combines some of the most calming sounds that nature has to offer, with the gentle evolving sounds of ambient music. Life is full of complications and roadblocks. I believe that meditation and self reflection can be extremely helpful in clearing a persons mind and giving you the opportunity to have a break from the stresses of life. Exposure to nature is inherently calming, but when combined with the sounds of music, I believe it can transport a person into another state of mind that is full of tranquility, self reflection and an appreciation for nature. 
On a personal level, I have a special connection with this park. I often come here when I feel like I want to escape the confines of my house that we often find ourself stuck in for so much of the day. The park and its environment gives me a sense of freedom and peace, which is why I’ve created this project in order to try and share some of that feeling through the art of music. As you begin your walk the kind of instruments you will hear include soft oscillating pads, delicate synth leads, pianos playing simple melodic ideas and angelic vocals. The composition wasn’t created to be complex, but rather focuses on how each instrument and sound interacts with each other, and what kind of emotions they evoke. Further more, the music is intended to occupy your subconscious, rather than be the main focus of your walk. This way the music and environment work together in a way that is more impactful for you, the listener. While listening, you will also begin to notice the presence of sounds from nature. I collected these recordings with the intention of adding another dimension of immersion to your experience. On a quiet day you will still be able to hear the songs of birds, on a calm day you will still be able to hear the gentle rustling of trees in the wind, and when the water is still you will still be able to enjoy the calming sounds of the water sloshing about as you look over the harbour. Because I didn’t want to simply add to the soundscape of sounds that already exist, these sounds were processed with unnatural reverbs and delays. My intentions while using these types of processings is to try to create a slight disconnect with reality as it’s often liberating to escape for a while. 
If you listen very closely, you may also hear a faint echoing voice speaking to you in certain parts of the walk. You may not be able to understand what it is saying, but interpret it however you desire.
 Before you begin on this walk, I’d like to ask that you try to clear your mind. Take your emotions with you but don’t focus too hard on what made you feel that way. You could take this walk on a warm summers day or a dull and drizzly day, and even though one might seem more enticing than the other, peace can be achieved on any kind of day. Note that the music will be perceived differently based on the emotions you take into it. The park has been split up into 10 unique audio sites for you to explore. I hope I this walk will enable me to share a bit of what this place means to me, and most importantly that you enjoy your walk through the beautiful Ballast Point Park.

This work of audio aims to critique the "rat race" facade present in a capitalist society. By sonically depicting the cyclical nature of life, I aim to emphasise the mundanity of the nature of life focused around chasing a paycheck. Through this, I aim to invite the listener to consider this criticism, and apply it into their own lives. In doing so, I hope to inspire listeners to enrich their lives with novelties outside of the rat race. The location chosen, is a secluded waterfront park with benches overlooking Parramatta River, as well as the Gladesville bridge. I felt this location resonated with the overall themes present in my audio. The audio begins with the all-too-familiar sound of a clock ticking with an alarm and the subject turning it off. This is followed by the sounds of a typical daily routine - showering, eating, driving to work, working, driving home from work, and arriving home. The audio then reverses and then repeats. This process repeats progressively faster, as the bpm is automated to progressively increase. This creative decision aimed to further achieve the goal of depicting life as cyclical. The audio then cuts between morning and night ambience. Day and night. Beginning and end. These cuts are played with the sound of the alarm previously used over it. The alarm initially was used to depict the typical day in a life, however it now represents the sound of a heart monitor. The speed between the cuts peak and the alarm stop rhythmically beeping, and plays a single monotonal sound. The sound of a patient flatlining. The sound of death. I crafted this sound by duplicating a single beeping tone from my recording of an alarm clock, then increasing the attack to create a relatively seamless sound. The bell that plays after this represents the sound of a church bell at a funeral. I utilised rain as a form of pathetic fallacy to further emphasise this shift in tone. I used a stereo recording of rain, as well as a mono recording I captured, that caught the sound of rain drops hitting an umbrella. By using this sound on top of a stereo recording of rain, I maintained the width I was aiming for, while still adding to the dynamics of the ambient rain sound. I would even say it enhanced the stereo effect overall. This is also accompanied by a dramatic and melancholic piano melody. The recording of this melody initially contained far too much audio artefacts, but after reducing the volume, equalising out some of the mid range, and adding reverb, I found any artefacts were virtually unnoticeable. The melody fades out, as does the rain. The last few seconds contain the sound of a clock ticking. This was used at the start of the audio and at the end. Beginning and end. Life and death. Our time is limited. The heavy reverb used in this section of the audio was to create a sombre, introspective tone. I believe this effectively contributed to my creative aim. In the grand scheme of things, the average lifespan is relatively as mathematically significant as the life I depicted in this four minute audio. A grim thought I know, but I'm not attempting to promote nihilism. I am, however, attempting to promote being uncomfortable being comfortable. Time is limited. I want listeners to use time as carefully as they would use money. After all, time is worth more than money. Seconds are worth more than cents. Humans are routine-based creatures. It is extremely easy to get complacent once we are set in our ways. Whether that be how we live our lives, or what values we have. However, I am of the belief that life is enriched when complacency is nullified, and that void is filled with novelty and experiences.

Sydney harbour bridge a recognizable symbol of Australia , build on the 28th of July 1923, using 1,400 workers . Harbour bridge is an Australian heritage listed steel through arch bridge across Sydney Harbour that carries rail, vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. The view of the bridge, the harbour, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is widely regarded as an iconic image of Sydney, The location is harbour bridge , the harbour bridge walk .I aimed to represent an echo journey on how it was build . Aspects and facts about the bridge . How it was build . I reflected my vision about that time during the construction ,as you walking and imagining how it was built ,by listeaning to sound walk I am representing to you today. Aspects of representation I approached is I simulated the amount of steel that was used to build the bridge , which was 53,000 tones of steel , and 1400 Labour built the harbour bridge. I added mainly hammering sounds , Labours and construction background. Music was representing some events happened during the construction of the bridge . Sixteen workers died during construction ,two from falling off the bridge. I represented that with low octave chords as it was a sad event . The music I used in the intro was to give a refelection of space while the represented describing the location of the Sydney harbour bridge. As it was surrounded by darling harbour water . I represented in my work a lot of my recorded collection for the project where it included solid sounds of metal and solid objects , foot steps to represent the bridge climb that allowed more than 3 million people to scale the bridge and enjoy an unforgettable experience. It takes 1,332 steps to reach the top of the Summit.

~Find yourself~ Welcome to Manly Dam, home to the most divine flora and fauna swans. Take a look around and take in the sights and sounds. Perhaps you see a young family having a picnic with the cheekiest of ducks darting in and out trying to grab a snack from one of the laughing children. Or maybe you’ll hear the sounds of birds chirping in the trees, crafting the most harmonious of melodies. Whatever you take in, know it’s the simple joys, so immerse yourself in nature and breathe in… and out… Growing up I’ve always pondered the ideas of the future of humanity, specifically in the realm of the human psyche and our obsession with progress. I’ve had a deep passion for philosophy, which led to often questioning the world and our values. This project further attempts to delve deeper into the psyche of the human mind and begs the question of whether we truly are evolving in the right path… Are we losing our so-called humanity and identity in search of minute pleasure’s? Is the constant demand for society’s approval hindering our originality and desire to be ourselves? These are the questions I ask, as growing up in this modern age creates uniquely significant issues that only Generation Z knows. The pressure to be the best. The desire to be liked. The image you need to portray. All of these ideals are broadcast on a silver screen, and after seeing all these stars shining as bright as the sun, people forget how quickly a fire burns out. Mental health should be focused as a priority in this age, however many youth don’t realise how disconnected from their own minds they truly are. Peaceful but constant mindfulness should help calm their minds. No-one realises how fast they’re truly moving in life until they slow down to reflect. Lying on the grass, lazily watching the sun’s rays reflect off the azure sea like phoenix’s wings, the titters of critters as they forage for food as the scent of petrichor gently wafts through the air… It’s times like this where you find yourself feeling free. Manly Dam is on traditional land of the Indigenous Garigal Clan of the Guringai people. Not only is this reserve a popular spot for picnics and family gathering, but it is also rich with a diverse population of endangered native creatures that have survived on this Earth for thousands of years. This luscious dam deserves to be protected, and knowing this information makes your walk through the wondrous greenery that much more immersive, allowing for contemplation on the beauty of our surroundings. Alan Watt’s speech from ‘The Art of Meditation’ has proved a vital foundational idea for my project, kickstarting my interest in the acts of self-reflection. Specifically all his quotes about the human condition and the concept of ‘overthinking.’ “A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts. So, he loses touch with reality and lives in a world of illusions. By thoughts I mean specifically “chatter in the skull”... perpetual and compulsive repetition of words... of reckoning and calculating.” Alan Watts is truly an inspiration and a figure of wisdom that those should seek out when drawing in their minds. My project is full of ambience and effects recording all throughout the realm of Manly Dam. Utilising the microphone, I attempted to record the noises of the wildlife from duck’s to crows. While in the middle of this action, it hit me how peaceful nature truly is when your mind is focused on your surroundings. My aim for this project is to give the listener the same sense of nonsensical nostalgia that comes out of staying present. My idea of immersion is reinforced by the use of pans and delicate volume control to make the listener feel like they’re living free. And dear listener, there will also be a *surprise* near the end of the project… This jarring sensation was further brought to light through the use of ProTool’s reverb, delay and stretching tools! I feel like this placed more meaning onto the theme of anxiety. In essence, my goal of this project was to draw awareness to the inner self and how much potential you can discover when you discipline your mind. Calm yourself and orientate yourself in the present. I promise you’ll come away from my walk with a faint smile and a deeper outlook on nature and humanity. Remember you don’t need to prove yourself, you’re good enough as you are. Now go! Tell someone close to you how much they mean to you. Their smile will be worth it all. By Nicholas Pang Berto, R. (2005). Exposure to restorative environments helps restore attentional capacity. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(3), 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2005.07.001 ‌How Modern Life Became Disconnected from Nature. (2017). Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_modern_life_became_disconnected_from_nature Hultgren, J. (2015, May 31). MindFullyAlive. MindFullyAlive. http://www.mindfullyalive.com/blog/2015/5/30/alan-watts-on-the-art-of-meditation#:~:text=%E2%80%9CA%20person%20who%20thinks%20all,..%20of%20reckoning%20and%20calculating. ‌onsareblog. (2016, November 17). THE IRONY OF LIFE: YOU NEVER KNOW THE VALUE OF A PERSON UNTIL THEY’RE GONE! Onsareblog; onsareblog. https://onsareblog.wordpress.com/2016/11/17/the-irony-of-life-you-never-know-the-value-of-someone-until-theyre-gone/