A study of sound and the atomic. Of molecules and hormones represented by notes from human voice. 

The pieces here are a small excerpt taken from three much longer pieces (around 45 minutes each) which have been exhibted in three seprate churches in Derbyshire. Bakewell All Saints Parish, Derby Cathedral and Wirksworth St. Mary's.



‘The Feminine Voice’ Sound Piece (50 mins)


The work forms a soundscape within the walls of St Mary’s Church enabling the audience to immerse themselves in the piece as a physical experience. ‘The Feminine Voice’ forms the third sound installation in Derbyshire Churches, following installations in Bakewell Parish Church and Derby Cathedral.


A single note sung by the artist is used to represent the structure and effect of a hormone present in the physiology of the female body. The work is arranged in a cyclical arrangement with continuous notes and the formation of the female fertility cycle over the length of the piece. The cycle also represents the life cycle of the female, where the body changes and develops through the stages of maiden, mother, crone. At times the hormones are harmonious and other times dissonant, creating peaks and troughs of intensity. 


‘The Feminine Voice’ has been created as a site-specific work for St Mary’s Church and the Wirksworth Festival. The history of the festival is linked intimately with the church and St Mary’s birthday, 8th September. The artist sought to create a resonant and uplifting piece of work to celebrate St Mary, the Goddess archetypes and all aspects of the feminine. 

 

Natasha Astara

Natasha works using light, colour and sound to reflect on the natural world. Her interest in science and spirituality grow from respective degrees in Microbiology & Pathology and Philosophy. Recent works have concentrated on the molecular structures of the natural world, interpreting them into sound using the human voice. 

Natasha chooses venues with a connection to the spiritual aspects of humanity to house artworks. The intention is to create a unique uplifting experience for the audience. She is currently studying Fine Art at Loughborough University. 

www.natashaastara.co.uk

 
 


Andrew Ibbotson BA (Hons)

Music Production

Andrew is a composer and musician working in Wirksworth. He creates soundtracks for films, artworks and popular music. Andrew specializes in music production using a creative home space. He is interested in new projects and collaborations. Andrew is a music teacher and teaches piano, guitar and organ.

www.soundcloud.com/ibbotsoni



Cloud Nine were (and still are, spiritually)
Richard Ashley, Chris Depledge, Kit Good, Tom Hemmings and Andrew Ibbotson. There were other incarnations, but after the parting of (musical) ways with lead guitarist Mark Sansom, the five piece Cloud NIne settled.

These songs were recorded at Birds Edge Church Hall circa 1991, either by Kit's brother, or Fash's brother, or Fash's brother's mate on a ghetto blaster. The results were so inspiring, Cloud Nine were offered a six album recording contract worth £1.75m. Alas Cloud Nine had to turn it down to complete their GCSE's.

It was 20 years ago today...

The anniversary of a messy, untidy, dark, and joyous rock band...

 Marble Gardens are Richard Ashley, Daniel Grosvenor, Andrew Ibbotson, Pete Kitson, Geraint Rees, Bruce H Renshaw and Paul Stephenson. 

These songs have been salvaged from disintegrating cassettes. Mixes of a mixed quality, which even at the time of recording,  were considered a little below par. They've been given the Audacity treatment. A little noise removal here, a bit of EQ there (though there's only so much you can do when the dynamic range simply isn't there on the source) and we have something approximating the original Marble Gardens (not to be confused with the Scandinavian jazz band of the same name). 

The songs featuring Pete Kitsen on vocals have a more balanced and less cluttered mix. These also feature Bruce H Renshaw on drums, before Paul Stephenson replaced him.

A dynamic live band. Famed initially for their extremes of volume and speed, then latterly for their psychedelic tendencies, combining multiple layered guitar effects with pop sensibilities. They ceased in 1995.

Singer songwriter having released 4 solo albums.

Andrew Ibbotson - Vocals, Bass Guitar.
Geraint Rees - Vocals, Guitar.
Bruce H Renshaw - Drums.
Richard Ashley - Keyboard.

Born from the vacuum of the temoporary parting of Marble Gardens during 1993, Ambient Fish were more than a stop gap, justifying their existence with several intriguing original songs, some of which featured here. 'Saturday' for example, not a great recording, but  has enough quirky charm to interest. Perhaps they will be most remembered for two stand out, packed to the rafters gigs in the Anchor Theatre in 1993 and 1994 respectively, playing a combination of Ambient Fish originals and Marble Gardens favourites.

As planned, Marble Gardens resumed with the return from Uni of guitarist Dan Grosvenor, and The Ambient Fish Project was shelved.

Please enjoy and feel free to like and comment.

For ref. Marble Gardens:

https://soundcloud.com/marble-gardens-band

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