Duets with the Singing Ringing Tree

In May, 2014 I performed Duets with the Singing Ringing Tree (SRT) in Northern England. The SRT is a permanent, wind-activated sculpture by London-based architects, Tonkin Liu. For five days I documented dozens of analogue synthesizer improvisations with the SRT using a binaural-head microphone. After returning to Minneapolis I produced and published a series of six of these pieces as video documentation on YouTube. These works, in the words of Peter Kirn from CreateDigitalMusic.com, evoke an “eerie resonance.” The synthesizer accompaniment alternates between contrasting and mimicking the haunting tones of the cold, metal structure. Read on for a series of photos from the project.

NOTE: These are binaural recordings combined with synthesizer accompaniment. Although it sounds great through speakers, circumaural headphones must be used to experience the binaural effect.

The Singing Ringing Tree on Day One of my Five Day Session

Day Two Before Teardown Due to Persistent Rain

Day Two Persistent Rain

Day 5

A Shadow Cast by the SRT

Vincent (My Custom Binaural Head Microphone) on Day Three

Moog Minifooger, Zoom H6, Bass Station 2, and DT770s

Ewe with her Lamb near the Singing Ringing Tree