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unscenemusic.bandcamp.com/album/a-fragrance-of-oceans


In celebration of World Oceans Day 2022.

Here I am expanding on an idea from 2015's 'Sea Ligh And Scattered Mornings' ( Published by Sonic Terrain STR028 )

That piece was composed using Dawn Recordings from various locations along the Coast of Belfast Lough. Ideally I wanted to be able to record these edges, this meeting of the inland Waters, without the hindrance of Industrialisation.

A search for quiet began, as I seized an opportunity In late August 2020, and decided to Cycle fully self supported around the entire coastline of Ireland. With Endurance Cycling and Wild Camping you earn your keep with the surroundings. It's a bond with nature rarely afforded to those simply passing through. This closeness offers up happenstance.
A chance upon hidden gems in terms of locations for Recording.

I figured if I travelled through this land clockwise from Belfast, past the heavy Industry of the East, that the silences would begin. This was also a good chance to record without interference. As at this period in time we were in the throes of an ensuing lockdown.

I was, however, left alone with the Sea.

Its ever omnipresent Drone. Both encouraging, and haunting. Captured Close, from afar. Sometimes from above. Same Ocean, many moods.

This is a selection from different locations along the way. Chronicling the direction of movement around the Island. Recordings were taken at Dusk, and then again at Dawn. Starting off with St Margaret's Beach in County Wexford, nestled upon the farthest South East tip. That is where the Calm began.

Towards the end you sense the artificial humb of 'Civilisations' return. This beginning of an end was recorded close to the main Artery at Quigleys Point in Donegal, headed towards Derry. Not a great Location for solitude, but where I stopped to sleep was mainly determined by fate.

This creates a narrative in and of itself. The Ocean reclaims everything eventually that is. A conclusion only amplified by the sound of the final swell recorded at Ballycastle Beach on the North Coast.

Homewards.

For my Uncle George (1950 - 2021)
A walker of walks.

Photographs of the entire journey:
seinzofageing.tumblr.com/page/20

Equipment used:
Zoom H4n Pro
Nagra RCX220
Neumann KM184
DIY Contact Mics
Parabolic Reflector

Locations.
St Margerates Beach. County Wexford
Bantry Bay. County Cork
Allihies. County Cork
Kenmare Bay. County Kerry
Ventry. Dingle. County Kerry
Ladies Beach. Ballybunnion. County Kerry
Keel Bay. Achill Island. County Mayo
Enniscrone. County Sligo
Streedagh. County Sligo
Fintragh Bay. County Donegal
Quigleys Point. County Donegal
Ballycastle Bay. County Antrim

Blessings to Andy at Unscene Music