Scenes 5. Jack Moolark on sound system restoration culture and the circular economy
Feb 8, 2022
Jack Moolark, creative director and co-founder of Concept Object, shares his passion for sound system restoration and the circular economy. He illustrates the allure of vintage audio gear, emphasizing how these antiques capture history and resist mass consumption. Jack recounts his journey from rescuing broken radios to creating collaborative sound systems with reclaimed materials. He critiques modern mass production, highlighting the importance of reusing and valuing the art of making. Tune in for his thoughtful recommendations on films that celebrate creativity.
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First Love: The Valve Amp Revelation
- Jack first fell in love with valve amps after playing a Fender Twin and felt an immediate visceral, almost orgasmic, reaction to the analog sound.
- That early experience set his lifelong obsession with old instruments and amplifiers and shaped his object-driven practice.
Rescuing Radios Sparked A Community
- Jack and his wife Madeline rescued hundreds of broken vintage radios and learned how alive modern music sounded through old valve devices.
- They repaired, rewired and showcased them, which led to community events that produced transcendent shared listening experiences.
From Cancelled Event To Handmade Sound System
- After COVID cancelled an event, Jack repurposed leftover plywood and parts into a bespoke sound system built from reclaimed speakers and crafted horns.
- He coordinated designers, carpenters and audio engineers to tune cabinets and horn shapes into a playable, historic-feeling object.