Artistic Statement
I am an Irish composer, based in Cork, Ireland. My compositions use two primary sources; acoustic instruments and everyday sound-objects/environmental soundscapes. I hear and work with these two sources both separately and collectively, with each musical concept dictating the medium employed. My creative output is diverse, both in its approach and delivery, seeking to capture and translate the essence of an idea through a variety of forms, media and methods of dissemination. For example, recent compositions have been presented as orchestral + ensemble works, sound installations, string quartets, a wordless opera, collaborations between sound and dance, sound and image, free + guided improvisations, solo instrumental works, duets and musical happenings.
Every day environments and how we hear every day sounds lies at the core of my practice, with a continued interest in blurring the distinction between what we consider ‘music’ and all other sound. I continue to listen and record in some of the worlds most isolated and challenging locations: The Arctic, Amazon, Namib Desert and Outback Australia and find inspiration in the natural flow, time, chaos and harmony within such largely 'in-human' places. My compositions play with a fragile space that lives somewhere between our inherent familiarity with such everyday sounds and our human desire to reach beyond and listen forward, as we notice the array of newly composed surroundings. Many of my works are devised to ensure that an active listening environment is created and shared between all participants during any performance. Resulting works simultaneously challenge every listeners memory of hearing while presenting new contexts for such sounds. I see my work as a continual learning experiment with each new work simultaneously absorbing something from its predecessor and breaking new ground for what is yet to come.
Developing in parallel with composition is my practice as an improviser and educator. As an improviser, I specialise in using environmental/everyday sounds/place as catalysts for constructing new sound-worlds. Such improvisations - whether solo or ensemble - offer unique interactions related to time, sonic sculpting and gesture. My educational work outside of Tertiary Education focuses on early years and my development of Natural Creators Program, which aims to harness and shape the natural curiosity of our youngest ears.
Every day environments and how we hear every day sounds lies at the core of my practice, with a continued interest in blurring the distinction between what we consider ‘music’ and all other sound. I continue to listen and record in some of the worlds most isolated and challenging locations: The Arctic, Amazon, Namib Desert and Outback Australia and find inspiration in the natural flow, time, chaos and harmony within such largely 'in-human' places. My compositions play with a fragile space that lives somewhere between our inherent familiarity with such everyday sounds and our human desire to reach beyond and listen forward, as we notice the array of newly composed surroundings. Many of my works are devised to ensure that an active listening environment is created and shared between all participants during any performance. Resulting works simultaneously challenge every listeners memory of hearing while presenting new contexts for such sounds. I see my work as a continual learning experiment with each new work simultaneously absorbing something from its predecessor and breaking new ground for what is yet to come.
Developing in parallel with composition is my practice as an improviser and educator. As an improviser, I specialise in using environmental/everyday sounds/place as catalysts for constructing new sound-worlds. Such improvisations - whether solo or ensemble - offer unique interactions related to time, sonic sculpting and gesture. My educational work outside of Tertiary Education focuses on early years and my development of Natural Creators Program, which aims to harness and shape the natural curiosity of our youngest ears.