Fort Saumarez: MP2

1 sound

Fort Saumarez is a granite Martello Tower topped by a four-storey concrete WWII German observation point. Steeped in history, it looms ominously over the northern tip of L'Erée headland and, like the other island locations on the album, is off limits to the public. Flexagon uses atmospheric site recordings in this hypnotic track to lead the listener up from the shingle beach, through long-abandoned German trenches, to the shadow of the tower itself."

Part of this walk

The Towers I: Inaccessible

The Towers I: Inaccessible

Torteval
The Towers I: Inaccessible is an atmospheric exploration of Guernsey inspired by a series of towers that stand just out of reach. Field recordings, cello, cor anglais, spoken word and ambient electronica come together on this journey around Flexagon’s island home. Locations long abandoned come back to life and local landmarks tell new stories. Flexagon’s 2020 album 7 Nocturnes East was firmly rooted in Guernsey’s coastal landscape. Since that release he has continued to work on location-based environmental music, sound art and installations both in Guernsey and remotely for projects based on places and field recordings in Wales and the Antarctic. On The Towers I: Inaccessible, the first of a trilogy, he explores and provides a soundtrack to eight locations around the island and their history: a folly, a brutalist WWII observation tower, a Loophole tower, a windmill, a clock tower, trees used as lookout posts by German soldiers during the Occupation, a communications tower with a Cold War legacy and a concrete water storage tower. Some are familiar sights while others are hidden in plain view; all are usually off limits to the public. Along with electronic ambience, Flexagon has written for solo cor anglais and cello, recording them together outside on location. He has also experimented with FM and shortwave radio, recorded in a clock tower, re-created the sound of hammering metal rungs into a tree, and made field recordings under a WWII observation tower and a concrete water tower. The spoken word track spans more than 200 years of Guernsey’s rich history. Links to more music, mailing list and social media etc. https://linktr.ee/flexagon
free

Privacy & cookie policy / Terms and conditions

© ECHOES. All rights reserved / ECHOES.XYZ Limited is a company registered in England and Wales, Registered office at Merston Common Cottage, Merston, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 1BE

v2.5.15 © ECHOES. All rights reserved.