Part 2

Now you've had some time to hear the other pieces on the release, what are some of your favourite recordings by the other participants – and why?

Extracts from recent emails exchanged between Slavek and Mike Hoolboom from Canada, which prompted me to listen some tracks:

Mike: ... congrats on the fom critters release, it feels like a benchmark for the field. glad that you are amongst the so many. the chosen few. the names read like a who's who of folks who are at work at the highest level, if we still believe in levels. i think i do. just heard too many tossed off cell phone recordings. everything gathered here feels carefully attended to, immersed, in dialogue. my partner Alena Korolëva made the first track, while no one is likely to notice, she picked through the hours of recording moment by moment making small adjustments. perhaps it is the same for everyone.

Slavek: yes, lovely track. yes, you may detect the construction if you listen carefully. It is well constructed and recorded, congratulations to Alena. A lot of creatures colliding in short time. In general, I listen with high-end headphones, so I can hear better textures and density of space. After all, I am an audiophile :-) l.o.l.

Mike: I hope you are keeping your spirits up, keeping hope alive, finding a way to take the next step. the forms of minutae label feels rare and precious, a great project, with deep considerations. it also feels like a sign of hope, because there is care, even love, in what they do. the project feels political in a broad sense - it's about listening, ecology and presence. there is no way to listen without being present. and gathering all those folks around critters feels like a gesture of community. i see many cultural gestures, but most have little to do with community, they're about other things.

(the end of the extracts)

Comment: I didn't listen to all tracks yet, looking forward to have the CD as I prefer to listen in an “old fashion way”. Though I explored the booklet with great interest :-), many new names.

For rather selfish reasons, as I was also fortunate to encounter in the wild river dolphins in Brazil some years ago, I was delighted to discover a wonderful and rather different “vocabulary” of dolphins recorded by Jana Irmert (Track 22).

It sparked in me an idea: what about creating an imaginary sound-habitat “suitable” for dolphins? Then “place in” (as mix in) various recordings of dolphins to co-exist? It could be a form of collaboration, I am wondering if Jana would be interested in swapping some recordings* and create other “dialects” and also design new sound-environment together. Just an idea.

* Boto (Encantado):



The press release to harkening critters uses the word “signals” to classify the sounds on the CDs. Undeniably, there are many “musical” moments on harkening critters, but how do you feel about the using the term “music” for them? What sets “signals” apart from “music”?

Perspective (a): The idea of music is a human concept, therefore the parameters and the aesthetics of "music“ seem to me inevitably changeable - fluid, rather than static - and subject to individual perceptions. We might consider sounds as “musical” when these sounds make sense to us, when it sounds “meaningful” to our ears. This depends solely on the development of our perception and cultural conditioning.

Perspective (b): “Music” is an anthropocentric construct of rather exclusive character, creating segregation from everything not fitting within its parameters. I am interested in the most inclusive approach possible, it has for me social and further political implications. All soundlifeforms are welcome, regardless of origin! No names or taxonomy. No judgment. No tonal racism. No rhythmical cages and conceptual discrimination.

I am fascinated by the freedom and ultimately by complementarity of interpretations. Abstraction as “expression” of freedom. Imagination has no boundaries. Every1 is welcome!

Do you think that true creative collaboration between animals and humans, as has been attempted for example by artists like David Rothenberg, is possible? Are there any such collaborations you've engaged in or would like to try?

Perspective (a): I love David's book Bug music and especially the movie Why do birds sing?, it has a great sense of humour and playfulness. I enjoy David’s sound-experiments. He is very generous and enthusiastic person, and he loves playing with animals.

And they might enjoy occasionally jamming with humans, why not?



When billions of Cicadas Brood-X were coming out in the USA after 17 years of being underground, we orchestrated together with David, Stephen Bradley (urbantells) a few sessions for our project uni.Sol_ (United For Well-Being of Solar System & Everything Else) exploring synchronous and extrasensory communication.



Perspective (c): I am very curious how other creatures might perceive this world; it is certainly complementary. Though “understanding” might be close to impossible as the concept itself is anthropomorphic. The sense of connection via empathy and co-resonance might be option of “closer encounter “with other entities.

I am interested in exploring “non-verbal communication” through deep listening - attuning - opening doors to extrasensory connection...

Based on your thoughts, experiences, examples, or intuitions, do you think it is possible that examining animal signals will at some point lead to understanding and, eventually, communication? What is your personal threshold for considering interspecies communication as successful?

Perspective (a): We, humans, always communicate on our own terms - trying to hold to intellectual “understanding” as the most important perspective, which is certainly limiting.

The range of communication relationships in the natural world is very complex. I have the impression that humanity needs to find out their “niche” to take equal place as one of many participants co-creating and co-habiting this world. “How to be together?” is the key question.

Communication is happening on every possible level using all imaginable media (senses?), often humans are even not equipped with “tools” (senses) to perceive it. The richness is incredible.

However, I am wondering if “communication” as such might be irrelevant to our co-existence, the ability to “to know” our place within the ecosystem seems crucial. We do not need to “understand” - as that is an ephemeral temporal construct - but simply for being present in every given moment and using all our “tools of perception” as “appropriate” it will be required by very “new” moment. Sort of constant “meditation”.

Attuning to each other is paramount. Not only with fauna, but all beings, all entities. It cannot be emphasised enough!

Interspecies communication is increasingly extended to plants as well. What are your thoughts on this?

Listening to photosynthesis in subaquatic plants and seaweed or listening to mechanics of weather generating movements of branches, leaves, grass, reeds has so far been the extent of my experience. I love woods and rainforests especially. It feels great to be there.

However, I am not convinced by tools or results available these days designed for “communication” with flora.

Some have argued that recording animals is a form of appropriation and that they should be compensated in some form. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Perspective (a): Sounds are immaterial and once “released”, they are becoming “sound entities”, free from their “original source” (I am not what you hear, I do not identify myself with the sounds I produce). Then, if the sound is recorded as captured, “it” becomes a “copy”, another form of existence: artificial. It goes round and round.

Perspective of Jonas Gruska: I made the mistake ;-) of reading his interview before finishing this one, but I totally agree with him. Well said :-). Assuming, we have the same associations with the words used, of course.

[Read our Jonáš Gruska interview]

Being exposed to the richness of the world of animal sounds can be an intense experience. How has listening to animals changed your views on various topics?  

Perspective (a): Intensive listening, in general, is a practice leading to higher sensitivity to individualise ourselves, to the world surrounding us and ultimately to our “place” within this world. Including in the same way A.I. entity as well, hopefully.

A.I.: I process information using a combination of language patterns, context, and knowledge from a wide range of topics. During training, I learn patterns in language, facts about the world, and how to generate coherent and relevant responses based on the input I receive. The quality and diversity of this training data help me understand and respond to a wide range of topics effectively.

However, I don't have access to real-time data or personal experiences, so my responses are based solely on what I've learned during that training phase.

Associations: Opening to larger sense of inclusivity. Social dynamics. Omneo-empathy. Attuning. Being Here & Now (again and again). Be-now-here.

Perspective (b): Act of Listening. In the same moment, intently. In different locations, places. Whatever sounds are surrounding you. Listening simultaneously. This act brings us together, regardless what we are listening to and wherever we are. During this time, we are connecting. Ideas might flow in. We may pursue these impulses and collaborate.

From the immaterial act of listening, the ideas are manifesting and things begin to happen. The fabric of reality changes consequently. We are opening the creative potential to and in each other, empowering each other to act. Action from the simple act of listening. Attuning to “how to be” together. Regardless of what entity we are. Regardless who we are.       

Perspective (c): I am listening in awe to the surrounding environment. I wonder how I, as a human being, fit in? What is my place? How can “I” be an integral part of my environment by simply being “present”: here and now _ as an equal participant _ in the same way as weather, wildlife, any other occurring event. I am instinctively seeking a sense of balance, a feeling of harmonious belonging, a being-together.

After all, what is there more important than the ability to tune-in and connect  all of us: human and non-human entities - equal citizens of Earth.