The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Alice Vincent: rediscovering music after trauma
May 19, 2025
Alice Vincent, an author and gardening columnist, shares her journey of reconnecting with music after trauma. In a candid conversation, she reveals how PTSD and motherhood reshaped her relationship with sound. Alice dives into the emotional landscapes of memory linked to music and the challenges faced by women in the industry. From sound baths in the Mojave Desert to the quiet of an anechoic chamber, she reflects on rediscovering joy in music. Their discussion also touches on the societal issues like child poverty and the healing power of sound.
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Preserving Childhood Music
- Alice kept her personal connection to music from her childhood, including records her mother played at home.
- She separated this personal music from the professional music she reviewed as a journalist.
Music and Depression Disconnect
- Depression can dull the emotional impact of music, making it hard to connect to songs once loved.
- Music serves as a conduit for good feelings but requires emotional presence to engage with it.
Anechoic Chamber Experience
- Alice spent time in an anechoic chamber, a soundproof room that absorbs all echoes, to explore her connection with sound during pregnancy.
- She was comfortable in the silence while others usually panic, realizing her altered relationship with sound.