The Pursuit of Man

For Electronics

2024

(Please be advised - this track contains explicit content).

(accompanying graphic score shows the structure used for the piece, based heavily on my Synaesthesia.)- Please listen to the piece through high quality speakers suitable for bass and panning. -

The Pursuit of Man is one of the most substantial pieces in my portfolio, and it is the sum of all my works throughout the year. The piece began as a field recording of basketball players in a nearby park. I observed the nature of their interactions, noting that their physical movement and camaraderie created a chorus of yells, laughs and soulful banter that initially inspired me to write a piece about Men’s mental health and physicality – this idea soon developed into the dynamics between both men andwomen and the role of fear in the ever-growing struggle to connect with each other.

I sampled several archived films, interviews and documentaries to create a net of voices that narrate our struggle. The basketball recording plays consistently throughout, to anchor the archived footage to the present day. The piece is structured in 3 sections:

1. The rise of anxiety amongst men that runs parallel with the continuous objectification of women, and how this relationship dynamic prevents young men and women from understanding each other.

2. The development of this anxiety into the manifestation of toxic misogyny and abuse that arises from years unresolved emotions. The vocal tracks become more aggressive, political and mature in age and content. I sampled gun shots and ‘crashing sounds’ from archived movie trailers.

3. The discovery of love and peace. I sampled voices that discuss the meaning of love, respect, responsibility and communication. The speaking ‘boy’ is a frequent motif, acting as the scared ‘inner child’ inside all of us. In this section I recorded my own words to leave the listener with a feeling a of hope and peace, that if we can accept each

other as ourselves - we will find contentment and peace within, and only then will violence stop.

This piece contains over 80 tracks layered and mixed carefully with panning, various forms of distortion, and midi software.