Kate Carr‘s spring trip to Iceland has given the artist new energy and inspiration, along with a new instrument (the langspil).  In addition to her new album, a combination of field recordings and additional layerings of music, she’s also been recording a new guitar piece every day.  (See Carr’s blog for details.)  Another reason to visit the artist’s site is to hear the original Icelandic field recordings and to compare them with the finished works:  “Slowly melting snow” has become “melt”, “Geese take flight” is preserved in its original form, and so on.  (Note to the artist: please release the originals on a CD3″!)

It’s easy to see why Carr has extended these recordings.  Sometimes a snippet is not enough; for example, the 1:06 of “Ice lake groaning”.  What artists hear on location is not all they experience, remember or hope to capture.  Carr’s re-workings can be considered translations…

This week Sounding Out! is proud to present the first post in Radio Art Reflections, a three part series curated by radio artist and senior radio lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University Magz Hall. Focusing on innovative approaches to radio art, the series will bring together three leading practitioners who have been researching the field from Canada, Australia and the U.K.

We begin with a fascinating exploration of “transmission ecologies” in recent works in Chicago, Iceland and elsewhere, written by Canadian sound and radio artist Anna Friz — one of the most exciting radio artists working today — who discusses how transmission art has shaped her practice.

— Special Editor Neil Verma

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From the early avant-garde Futurists to present-day, utopian dreams litter the history of art meeting technology. When it comes to radio and wireless, these often include the dreams that each new technology will conquer space and time; that the overcoming of…

They are so rare, there is something precious about blue-sky autumn days, aka grab-your-bag-and-get-out days. Don’t stop to ponder, to check that weather app or to invent an excuse: who cares if the skies cover up and it starts lashing once you’re out? By then you’ll have made it out and enjoyed a breath of air that is actually fresh, and won’t just yet freeze a lung upon contact. It’s worth it.

On days like these, I like to explore new places or revisit some of my summer favourites in a different, autumnal light. One of these is definitely Dartmouth Square, a beautiful space in Dublin 6 tucked away between the Canal and Ranelagh.  I used to come here a lot more often when I used to live in the area, but I still occasionally love to spend time here, particularly in the spring.  There is a beautiful old-world feel about…

Female Russian recording artist Galina Ozeran (also known as Chikiss) has teamed with Siberian tape label Klammklang to offer a work of stark beauty: four tracks, four seasons, four different colored tapes, four sets of photos taken by her father Vladimir.  This is the second season-themed Klammklang release we’ve reviewed this month, on the heels of Nikita Bondarev’s black and blue edition Siberian Loner.  The label is on a roll, and may have found its niche.  Our only criticism: make more copies!  This sort of keepsake makes a nice present, and some people will want additional tapes to give away.

Ozeran’s tracks are lengthy and complex.  Together, the four total over 80 minutes, and would not fit on a single CD.  The shortest entry is ten minutes long, and the longest half an hour.  This allows the listener time to experience the changing nature of the seasons –…