Songs of the sands
“Canto que ha sido valiente, siempre será canción nueva” - Víctor Jara
Since all matter vibrates at its own resonance frequency it would appear logical that non-verbal creativity should be served with a side of music. This manifests in different ways for me. At a personal level, I listen to playlists according to mood and brief, ranging from Gregorian chants to folkloric Flamenco. When working at a brand level, it’s my job to ensure sonic language mirrors visual systems. Audio toolkits are now giving way to broader and more potent emotional landscapes, There is a lot to consider here; key signatures, voice timbre, custom instrumentation, long form music and motifs all have the ability to inform mnemonics, or signations.
Most importantly sounds is a tool for healing which is only more recently being acknowledging. and I’m using music to promote deep healing also use music I’m learning more and more about the power of acoustics in promoting healing and wellbeing. Binaural delta beats at 160Hz and 432 Hz can provide deep healing. But as above, so below. Beware the Augmented 4th or Tritonus, named "diabolus in musica” the chord of evil which was banned in Renaissance church music. Mantras, Tibetan singing bowls, wind chimes, tuning forks.
I also dabble in a little music-making when time permits - combining sounds is a bit like working with a palette of colours. Mixing = fun.
*Never forget silence, solitude and stillness. We will always need the quiet as an end in itself.
Rachmaninoff's lush melodies and Stravinsky's daring rhythms serve as more than just inspiration—they are the engines driving creativity forward. As Víctor Jara once said, "Brave songs are always fresh," and these composers embody that spirit of bold innovation.
Yet, amidst the melodies and harmonies, there exists a deeper truth—the interconnectedness of sound and sight. Just as a painting speaks to us through its colors and brushstrokes, so too does music resonate with the visual landscape of our imagination. In the synthesis of sound and vision, we discover a profound unity—a harmony of creativity that transcends the boundaries of perception.
In my own creative endeavors, I've embraced the transformative power of music, integrating classical compositions into my artistic process. Just as a conductor orchestrates a symphony, I carefully curate soundscapes that evoke emotion and atmosphere, infusing my illustrations with a timeless resonance. Whether it's the ethereal strains of a violin or the majestic crescendo of a piano concerto, music serves as a guiding force, shaping the contours of my artistic vision.