David Stevens

Sound artist & Workshop Leader in Watford, United Kingdom

David Stevens

Sound artist & Workshop Leader in Watford, United Kingdom

Listen to my music

I am a sound artist, computer musician and workshop leader. My very first composition for electronic sounds, poetry and dancers was performed at the Demontfort Hall in 1971 as part of the Leicestershire Schools For'ard pageant. At the same time I was playing French Horn in the Leicestershire Schools Symphony Orchestra.

In the early 70s I worked for EMS Synthesizers in London (I wrote the original Book of Sounds for the VCS3) and did further work with tape music at the Cockpit Theatre.

I was a recording engineer/producer at Capital Radio in London for 10 years (programmes, music, drama), and afterwards wrote and recorded music for television (including Small Objects of Desire and Uncertainties (BBC2) and many series for BBC Education).

I develop my own software for working with sound (MaxMSP). My main interest is in extreme time stretching and layering of natural sounds - found objects, musical instruments, and voice - to create dense, multilayered soundscapes which explore the hidden textures and melodies within short bursts of audio, and which draw the listener on an almost shamanic journey into worlds of sound.

I also design and build sensor controlled, sound and light sensory installations which I use to run music/light workshops for Special Educational Needs, Elderly Care Homes, and mainstream Science & Art Weeks on behalf of eyemusic/colourscape. I recently ran the installation as a week-long public event at the Bergen International Festival 2016.