Name: Ibukun Sunday
Nationality: Nigerian
Occupation: Producer, composer
Recent release: Ibukun Sunday's new album Harmony / Balance is out via Phantom Limb.

If you enjoyed this Ibukun Sunday interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram, Soundcloud, Facebook, twitter, and bandcamp.



When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening? Do you listen with your eyes open or closed?

When I listen to music or perform, I get emotional and sometimes I see shapes and objects. It comes and goes, and it's not a permanent sensation.  

Basically when am performing, I close my eyes to connect to my divine grace and to the audience. That moment is always special for me.

How do listening with headphones and listening through a stereo system change your experience of sound and music?

Well, I think a good pair of headphones is the best to listen to music with. You will feel more connected to your sound and music.

Tell me about some of the albums or artists that you love specifically for their sound, please.

Oh! I have so many lovely albums and artists that I specifically love.

Wilder Paths by Black Brunswicker.



Cedrik Fremont.



[Read our Black Brunswicker interview]

Do you experience strong emotional responses towards certain sounds? If so, what kind of sounds are these and do you have an explanation about the reasons for these responses?

Yes I have a very strong emotion for certain sound’s like atmospherics, field recordings, sounds of nature and some noise textures.

I will always connect with this kind of sound

There can be sounds which feel highly irritating to us and then there are others we could gladly listen to for hours. Do you have examples for either one or both of these?

I will gladly listen to the sound of a tape recorder - mostly the noise texture.

Have you ever been in spaces with extreme sonic characteristics, such as anechoic chambers or caves? What was the experience like?

Yes. The surrounding sound and atmosphere / effect.

What are among your favourite spaces to record and play your music?

I love to record at home at my space.

Well, I do not have favorite place to play my music. Basically I play my music anywhere any place, but just make sure there is good sound equipment around.

Do music and sound feel “material” to you? Does working with sound feel like you're sculpting or shaping something?

It does.

How important is sound for our overall well-being and in how far do you feel the "acoustic health" of a society or environment is reflective of its overall health?

I think that sound and music are one of the languages of the soul.

In a spiritual sense, it’s quite important - for both me and for the way we think and feel as a human community, and for our mental health.

Sound, song, and rhythm are all around us, from animal noises to the waves of the ocean. What, if any, are some of the most moving experiences you've had with these non-human-made sounds?

I think these kinds of things are so nice, because all of the stuff that goes on in the world randomly creates these sonic events that can then be perceived by our bodies and interpreted as beautiful in our minds.

Tinnitus and developing hyperacusis are very real risks for anyone working with sound. Do you take precautions in this regard and if you're suffering from these or similar issues – how do you cope with them?

For now I don’t, because I protect my ears always.