Field recordist and musician KMRU discusses repatriating African sounds, the sociopolitical aspects of listening, and his new album with The Bug. He reflects on how technology has changed our listening habits, the use of electromagnetic microphones, and the importance of deep listening in artistic field recording.
Field recordings aid in repatriating African identities excluded from Western archives.
KMRU utilizes electromagnetic microphones to capture hidden frequencies, adding depth to his compositions.
Deep dives
Exploring Repatriation of African Identities Through Sound Art
Cammaru, a Berlin-based musician, combines field recordings and synthesis to reclaim African identities excluded from European archives, tackling the socio-political angle of sound art and advocating for repatriation of cultural sounds. His project, 'Temporary Stored,' reclaims stolen sounds and merges them with his recordings, shedding light on African heritage. The mission is to repatriate lost music through innovative compositions, providing a fresh perspective on African identities.
Navigating Ethical Considerations in Field Recording
Cammaru emphasizes ethical considerations in field recording, reflecting on the balance between extracting sounds for art while respecting the source cultures. His deep care for recording processes highlights the importance of ethical awareness when documenting sounds, particularly those rooted in cultural heritage. By engaging with nature and questioning his intentions in recording, Cammaru strives to create ethically sensitive compositions.
The Collaborative Journey in Music Exploration
Cammaru's collaborations with artists like The Bug showcase his multi-faceted approach to music creation, blending experimental sounds with thoughtful narratives. His album 'Disconnect' delves into complex themes nurtured through collaborations, challenging traditional music boundaries. Embracing vulnerability and shared learning, Cammaru's creative practice reflects a dynamic fusion of musical influences, fueling his exploration of sonic landscapes.
Shaping Soundscapes with Electromagnetic Recording
Innovative in his sound exploration, Camaru delves into electromagnetic recording, capturing hidden sounds often overlooked in everyday environments. Through this unique technique, he uncovers a realm of unseen frequencies, adding depth and mystery to his sonic compositions. By incorporating these clandestine sounds, Cammaru enriches his music with a layer of intrigue, expanding the boundaries of traditional field recording practices.
"Soundscapes reveal a lot about how people think and behave." The field recordist and musician talks about listening culture, repatriating African sounds and his new album with The Bug.
Today's conversation moves away from the dance floor, focusing instead on the soft, ambient soundscapes of the Berlin-based musician Joseph Kamaru—AKA KMRU—whose work has been featured at festivals like CTM, Mutek, Atonal, Horst Music and Arts, Dekmantel, and Unsound; concert halls like The Barbican; and major galleries and site-specific installations around the world.
Kamaru moved to Europe from Nairobi, where he first became interested in music production, and field recordings specifically. As a graduate student in the sonic arts, he learned that the majority of the discourse around sound art practices is specific to Western Eurocentric or occidental ways of thinking. He's since embarked on a mission to use field recording as a means of repatriating African identities that are often left out of institutional archives and grapple with the legacy of colonialism.
In this RA Exchange, Kamaru reflects on the sociopolitical angle of his work, and his observation that listening, by its very nature, is never neutral. He also talks about how civilisation and technology has changed our collective listening habits; how sound sources beyond the human hearing range make their way into his work with the use of electromagnetic microphones; and his new album, Disconnect, made with the musician Kevin Richard Martin (AKA The Bug). Listen to the episode in full.
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