What makes these manipulations your favourite?

I am able to generate a relatively wide range of sounds that are unusual, unexpected and sonically interesting from these manipulation tools.

1. How would you describe the type of music that you make?

I compose mainly acousmatic music (fixed media) and occasionally compose works with instruments and electronics (mixed works). The music I make is derived from recorded sounds from objects, environments, instruments etc…

2. If you had to use the genre categories to describe your music, which would it be?

Electroacoustic music
Musique Concrète

3. What types of sounds do you like to use when you compose?

All sounds are recorded and not synthesized. I have recently developed an interest is very short, brief materials as I find these more malleable to work with in the studio than longer more textural sounds.

4. What makes these sounds your favourite?

I enjoy working with shorter sounds as it is possible to create more complex and intricate larger materials from clusters of small sounds. I find this part of the process of composition attractive and fulfilling/satisfying.

5. How do you go about starting or coming up with an idea for a composition? Do you personally use a similar approach each time? Or is it always different?

I tend to start with a particular sound source and then go from there. I take a raw unprocessed sound into the studio and experiment with the sound with many different processing types. The approach is very much a ‘trail and error’ process, discovering new sounds that might work well within the piece or with other sounds.

6. Which composers /musicians are an inspiration to you?

I am influenced by a wide range of genres and styles beyond electroacoustic music. Within the field I think there is plenty of inspiration to be found in early works by Bayle, Schaeffer, and more recently, Dhomont, Smalley and Harrison.

7. What is it about this music that engages you so much?

I’m particularly interest in the level of sonic detail, quality of the sounds, sonic language and the composer’s craft at creating these works.

An excerpt of a piece by Manuella.

8. If you were giving some general advice to someone who was beginning to compose a piece. What is the most important thing to remember when composing?

I think experimentation and exploration are key aspects to encourage when beginning a composition with sounds. Using your ear and finding sounds you like and enjoy is also quite important since will listen to your work in progress over and over until its complete!