The Swithland Wood Recordings

Representing Birdsong is a collaborative project inspired by birdsong, between sound and visual artist Lucy Stevens and tabla player Rishii Chowdhury. The Swithland Wood Recordings has been created as a digital print onto a record sleeve and 12 inch vinyl EP and lyric book, featuring illustrations of native birds, their songs and trees from Swithland Woods in Leicestershire. The soundtracks were captured using field recording techniques and feature birdsong and musical compositions inspired by birdsong. Stevens and Chowdhury have come together to explore the magnificent sounds of bird vocalisations, including the variations in pitch, repetition and duration. The sounds of native birds have influenced the artists involved, by fusing field recordings, musical improvisation and drawing techniques. The soundtracks feature classically trained musicians Rishii Chowdhury (tabla) and Roopa Panesar (sitar), responding to birdsong, with an additional track featuring a live recording of Rishii performing the tabla in the woods, responding to birdsong. For more information please visit: www.representingbirdsong.wordpress.com This project was supported by Arts Council England's National Lottery-funded Grants for the arts programme.