Littoral Transmissions #76 - Headwater (Waulud’s Bank Remix)

Littoral Transmissions meander through the sonic landscape of the River Lea from Stonebridge Lock to Leamouth. Recordings from the field converge with layers of sound to create an aural impression of the navigation.

A circumambulatory attunement to the River Lea where it rises amidst chalk fields. Leagrave to the south-east and Marsh Farm to the west. Beneath unfurling clouds, horses graze the long grass growing atop Waulud's Bank, a neolithic earthwork reverberating with ongoing community.

We follow the river along the glacial ridge and Icknield Way, past Linbury Meads and water meadows on into Luton before returning once more to the river's source.

In both live performance and a monthly broadcast Littoral Transmissions evoke estuarine, marshland, boggy sonic impressions with an extended focus on our local River Lea as it passes through London.

This piece finds us in contrary flow, with an extended meditation on the Lea's emergence and its co-minglings of land and water, featuring field recordings and improvisations made in situ, combined with later responses recorded downstream.