Taking Sound to the Highline.
Want to be part of something new? Get the low down on a new musical frontier.
Image courtesy of Camden Highline.
Interested in a holy mix of music, urban spaces, and innovation? Your insights could help shape something groundbreaking…
As part of my ongoing MA work, I’m looking at different genres and (sorry) touchpoints where my music can get heard whilst making the world a bit of a better place at the same time.
I’m tired of music being a bit of an afterthought to environments and life in general - it’s too important for that. It’s fundamental to the fabric of life. It needs to be ‘in there’.
So, one of the bees buzzing around my bonnet is using sound and music to enhance experiences at an urban level for city dwellers. Using dynamic sonics as both aural wayfinding and cue points but also reinforcing the narrative of a development - be it the heritage, brand or core use.
Transforming ordinary urban spaces - places that might be scary or unloved - into something emotionally resonant, memorable, helpful and above all, happier.
This isn’t just tinkering around the edges I’m talking about; it's a paradigm shift in how we experience our surroundings. No lift music or wallpaper here.
Highline to somewhere.
Anyway, to prove a point you need a project as someone once said (me), so after a good old bit of research on exciting research programmes I suddenly remembered the Camden Highline. I’d found my unicorn.
Image courtesy of Camden Highline.
If you’re not a Londoner, you might have missed this one. The Camden Highline is an urban development project in London that aims to transform a disused railway viaduct into an elevated public park, inspired by New York City’s High Line. Spanning 1.2 kilometres from Camden Gardens to York Way, it will link Camden Town with King’s Cross, offering unique city views and green spaces.
The project hasn’t even started build yet and isn’t expected to open until 2027, but it’s an ideal ‘pretend’ pilot project to develop my smart city sonic plans and delve deeper into the concept.
What’s the plan?
Here’s the rough skinny. From late July 24, I’ll be undertaking a 4 week creative process. This will involve 4 separate mini briefs with their own separate flavours - broadly one for each section of the Highline: Camden Gardens, Woodland Balcony & Catwalk, Railway Gardens and The Wilds.
Each week, I’ll be producing a theme, background ambient sound, and wayfinding sonics. I’ll be showing them off here first on Substack - you’ll be able to have your say! - as well as working with a Focus Group to get feedback from a range of people hand-picked for their viewpoints and backgrounds which can materially improve the work.
Once, I’ve got the feedback, I’ll release an edit and we can all go home, and have some tea and a nice slice of cake.
Actually, no. We’ll move on to the next week and do it all again. Until we’re done.
What’s the aim?
First of all, it’s a test to see how my creative and technical choices can develop complex briefs like this, but also how I can engage and excite clients, customers and consumers alike in this context - from the urban planner, and project CEO to the average or not-so-average potential site visitor.
Secondly, as part of my (portentous voice) brand and offering development, I want to find new areas to work in outside TV, film and ad work alongside my own releases - I’m still going to do all those, but the music world is a big one!
What can you do?
Ok. Request time. Two things.
1) Stay tuned, make sure you read and listen to each ‘release’ and leave a comment or two.
2) Put your hand up if you want to be part of the Focus Group. It’s broadly the same, but you’ll be flying the flag for a certain type of person or demographic and feeding back not only from your own personal opinion but with their needs and lives in mind. That will be via a mix of Google Forms and a closed WhatsApp group. I’d love to have you on board for that, and there’s an initial list of persona’s I’d like to cover below, so check it out.
Why take part?
I’d love to offer hard cash, but sorry, no can do.
Whilst - and I’ll be clear here - this isn’t an officially sanctioned project, (it’s only a self-started pilot, but I’m making contact with the project team to explore opportunities) there is a chance that the output of this could end up being a part of this project or another innovative new smart city scheme using sonics. This means we could be part of changing the world a little.
You could be part of a creative community, helping to mould something innovative from a unique user point of view.
I believe, that in this context music and sound have the capacity, to not only make experiences richer but also act as aids or enhancements for those with disabilities as well as improve mental health. Sounds good, does good.
What’s next?
The list of personas I’m looking to represent is below. If it sounds like you, or someone you know, then do shout. I’d love for you to take part. In the meantime, keep an eye on your Substack inbox for updates. This project is a moving feast, so there will be some developments before Week 1 at the end of July!
Personas for Focus Groups: is this you?
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you think you might have something to bring to the project, then let me know - always happy to hear from a Camden railway history buff…
The Environmental Enthusiast:
Age: 30-45
Interests: Sustainability, green spaces, nature.
Focus goal: Highlight the green and sustainable aspects of the project.
The Tourist:
Age: 35-50
Interests: Sightseeing, cultural experiences, travel.
Focus Goal: Ensuring that soundscapes enhance the tourist experience.
The Family with Young Children:
Age: 30-40 (parents), 5-10 (children)
Interests: Family activities, educational experiences.
Focus goal: Make the soundscapes engaging and educational for children and cater for their well-being and sensory needs.
The Art Enthusiast:
Age: 40-60
Interests: Visual arts, cultural projects, exhibitions.
Focus: Integrate artistic elements and creative storytelling, whilst evoking positive emotions and inspiring creativity.
The Commuter:
Age: 25-55
Interests: Efficient travel, public transport, urban infrastructure.
Focus: Enhancing daily commuting with relaxing and informative soundscapes, whilst providing soothing and rhythmic sound to reduce commuter stress.
The Neurodivergent Champion:
Age: 25+
Interests: Leisure activities, community involvement, working on neurodiverse awareness issues.
Focus: Ensuring accessibility and enjoyment for neurodiverse people, focusing on promoting well-being, improving mental health and making the sonic experience a positive one.
The Community Activist:
Age: 30-50
Interests: Social justice, community projects, public engagement.
Focus: Foster community pride and involvement in the project with an interest in soundscapes bringing a sense of belonging and community well-being.
The Urban Professional:
Age: 35-60
Interests: Urban development, city planning, public spaces.
Focus: Ensure the project integrates well with urban planning objectives and improves public spaces, and that the soundscapes contribute to the mental well-being of urban residents.
The Composer / Sound Engineer:
Age: 30-60
Interests: Music composition, sound design, orchestration.
Focus: Bring advanced musical expertise and innovative composition techniques viewpoints and ensure compositions that have technical merits as well as enhancing listener comfort.
The Music Therapist:
Age: 30-45
Interests: Therapeutic music, emotional well-being, community health.
Engagement Goal: Ensure the soundscapes have positive and therapeutic effects on listeners as well as integrate feedback on therapeutic principles to support mental health and neurodiverse needs.