Local Sound Compositions

Julian defines Local Sound Compositions as place-based musical compositions with universal themes devised by arranging combinations of four elements: found sounds, language, instruments, and lyrics. Local Sound Compositions are experimental by design, featuring eccentric, non-traditional sounds arranged in a composition that is pleasing and familiar. 

Local Sound Compositions vary in how many elements each include. Sometimes Julian devises a Local Sound Composition using only the elements ‘found sound’ and ‘instruments’. Other times he devises a Local Sound Composition centralizing on the element ‘language’ and backed up by the element ‘found sound’. At times Julian devises Local Sound Composition combining all four elements. Julian’s process is what makes his Local Sound Compositions place-based - each element attaches to a specific place. No matter which combination of elements Julian employs, every Local Sound Composition ties to universal themes (ie time, existence, identity, the human-condition..) relatable to every listener. 

To gather the first element of ‘found sound’, Julian uses a field recorder in the immediate environment to include sounds of animals, nature, and machines. He analyzes the sounds in search of musical and percussive elements. Using a sampling keyboard, Julian arranges the ‘found sounds’ within a musical composition. Because ‘found sounds’ are “non-musical”, this element creates a sense of peculiarity while also offering a sound of familiarity tied to the place where the ‘found sound’ was gathered. 

For the second element ‘language’, Julian records people talking or singing using their preferred language. ‘Language’ can be spoken or sung, charted or improvised. Julian pushes the speaker/singer to incorporate idioms and dialects, as these nuances of language tie most specifically to place.

The third element ‘instruments’ is an element featuring instrumentalists in the place where Julian is devising the composition. Julian arranges parts for the instrumentalists to incorporate their playing style and approach. In adding local players, the Local Sound Composition are further grounded in the place where the composition takes shape.

Julian implements the fourth and last element ‘lyrics’ by writing words pertaining to universal themes inspired by the specific place he is devising the Local Sound Composition. Julian rhymes his way through the often-tough-to-navigate universal themes of time, existence, identity, the human condition, while maintaining a white-knuckle grip on hope for humanity. 

Though the through-line of universal themes causes each Local Sound Composition to be relatable to any audience, the familiarity of place-based elements can affect local listeners more deeply. No matter the listener, Julian’s ethos as a musician is to create listenable compositions maintaining an experimental nature that push the listener up to the edge of their comfort zone.