Protected from the wind and from traffic noise from a nearby road, the peaceful ambience of Sandhaven Harbour (Aberdeenshire, UK) invited me in to listen more deeply. As the jetty was floating and the movement of the water in the harbour was minimal, the gentle creaking of wood and metalwork often sounded animalistic, sometimes reminiscent of whale song at other times, of injured or dying animals uttering their last breath. I worked with these “animalistic” groans, transforming them to create further utterances.

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Sandhaven Jetty was realized in 2026 in the composer’s studio in Skipton (England, UK) and premiered on April 18, 2026 in the PACE Building of De Montfort University during the Sonic Arts Forum Leicester conference.

Preparation

• January 3, 2020, sound recording: Sandhaven Harbour, Sandhaven (Scotland, UK)

Premiere

• April 18, 2026, Sonic Arts Forum Leicester, PACE Building — De Montfort University, Leicester (England, UK)

Awards

• Finalist, Prix Russolo 2026, Annecy (Haute-Savoie, France)