First Light's Third Space #9 - Chantal Michelle & Cucina Povera

Each month, First Light Records invites two artists to take an unplanned journey with a microphone around their city to curate an hour-long mix. Each show captures the unique atmosphere of a city from each artist's perspective, through music and found sound.

In this episode, Chantal Michelle takes us on a journey around New York in the first portion of this month’s Third Space. Buskers, sirens and footsteps are caught between and across music that captures the frantic and conflicted relationship of the artist and the city.

In the second half of the show, Cucina Povera engages with the broad palette of sounds found around her. This mix focuses largely on sounds rather than composed music, but the musical inspiration that Cucina Povera finds in the city’s droning bells, natural ambiance and repetitive bird song melodies is pronounced.

"An inexplicable draw, a love affair that can’t end, a refusal. Compounded layers, disharmony, the occasional synchronicity that could be mistaken for meaning. Trying to “block it out” but efforts are futile; a bleeding. Pleasure in discord, fear. Joy when looking out the window." – Chantal Michelle