MUSIC: CONNECTING MEMORY AND PROCESS
Before I went away to Top Shed, my two week artist's residency of near solitude in Norfolk, I asked friends to suggest music that I might add to a playlist to take away with me. I'm so glad I did and grateful to all the people that took the time to share, because this literally became the soundtrack to my residency. I would choose noisy and upbeat tunes to accompany me in my domestic duties and these occasionally also assisted to motivate me on a rainy stomp across the fields, but when it came to focusing and being creatively productive I chose more comforting, folky sounds and audio books because I love being told stories, and both of these mediums seemed to suit the work I was making and my rural surroundings.
With each piece of music I couldn't help but think of the person who had gifted it to me with their suggestion...a lovely feeling; being all alone but at the same time surrounded by good people.
It's interesting when you make work that has a repetitive or rhythmic process it happens that you often come back to doing something you've done before - its always fascinating and comforting to find oneself remembering the music / story / program that accompanied the exact same actions last time they were done - mind and muscle memory combined. I feel strongly that these songs, stories, memories and indeed the people that my Norfolk playlist bring to mind are all part of the finished pieces - stitched, woven and printed into the fabric of the work. Something unseen or unknown to the viewer but a deeply embedded personal part of these pieces of work for me.
As far as memory is concerned, I absolutely love that any time I ever hear any music from my Norfolk playlist I will instantly be right back there in my mind - such a precious and inspiring time. Thank you if you contributed to this [not in full] soundtrack:
Wolf - First Aid Kit
Graceland - Paul Simon
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
Evil - Nadine Shah
Do I Love You [Indeed I Do] - Frank Wilson
California - Joni Mitchell
Tilted - Christine and the Queens
Psycho Killer - Talking heads
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Push th' Little Daisies - Ween
The Architect - Jane Weaver
If You Could See - She Draws the Gun
Sammud - Maarja Nuut
I bet you look good on the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkey
Human - Daughter
The Forest - Jose Gonzelez
Country Mile - Johnny Flynn
Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin
Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes - Paul Simon
The Wind is Low - Iron and Wine
A Case of you - Joni Mitchell
Show me the Sun - Belle and Sebastian
Can't Touch This - MC Hammer
Staying Alive - Bees Gees
Go! - Public Service Broadcasting
Semicircle Song - The Go! Team
Golden Years - David Bowie
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Daddy Cool - Boney M.
Blue - Joni Mitchell
Rescue Me - Fontella Bass
Skinny Love - Bon Iver
Carey - Joni Mitchell
Redbone - Childish Gambino
Close to You - The Carpenters
Emma Forever Ago - Bon Iver
The Song of the Sea - Lisa Hannigan
Facing West - The Staves
Call Me the Breeze - Beth Orton
Smother - Daughter
Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
Detectorists - Johnny Flynn
Get Ready - Ella Fitzgerald
Get It On - T. Rex
Flume - Bon Iver
Deadly Valentine - Charlotte Gainsbourg
Thriller - Michael Jackson
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Kick Jump Twist - Sylvan Esso
Toxic Girl - Kings of Convenience
Animal Tracks - Mountain Man
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Dandelion - Big Thief
Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss
Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson
I'll Fly Away - Gillian Welch
Happy - Pharrell Williams
Red Morning Light - Kings of Leon
Kiss with a Fist - Florence and the Machine
Pale Green Ghosts - John Grant
Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell
Baby's Got Sauce - G. Love and Special Sauc
Mayday - The Go! Team
Magpie - The Unthanks
Winter - Daughter
I am a Man of Constant Sorrow - Soggy Bottom Boys
Pure Pleasure Seeker - Moloko
Moonshine Freeze - This is the Kit
Did you see Butterflies -Jane Weaver
It's Getting Better - Mama Cass
Straight from the Heart - Dr Atmo
This is Me - Keala Settle
All of Autumn - Red Deer Sleeping
