What if every landscape had its own soundtrack?
This was the question that inspired Hayden Thorpe's Wetlands project for the BMG Production Music catalogue.
Having lived alongside Walthamstow Wetlands — Europe's largest urban nature reserve — for almost 15 years, Hayden has developed a deep connection to the landscape and the wildlife that inhabits it. Drawing inspiration from the reserve's unique environment, Wetlands was created with nature and wildlife storytelling at its core.
The resulting album is a sonic interpretation of the reserve itself, translating its landscapes, rhythms and wildlife into music. Through a blend of composition, atmosphere and observation, Wetlands invites listeners to experience Walthamstow Wetlands through sound.
“Having lived and worked beside Walthamstow Wetlands for almost 15 years, I have over time accumulated many musical sketches which seem to belong alongside the site’s wild spaces. The form of the music feels indistinguishable from the routes and viewpoints which I visit whilst listening.
A radical idea occurred to me - rather than a traditional release, this collection would be best experienced within the geography of the Wetlands itself. I hope that by soundtracking your visit, the music reveals otherwise hidden and subliminal happenings here, in our most unique urban sanctuary.”
- Hayden Thorpe
SONIC MAP
For the release of the album, we wanted to push footfall directly to Walthamstow Wetlands, in order to listen to the music. The music was not available anywhere else for 3 months.
HOW THE SONIC MAP WORKS
The Sonic Maps Player is a Progressive Web App that runs smoothly on your web browser (no need to download from an App Store).
Your position is accurately displayed on the map and audio is automatically played back when you walk into a sound area.
EXHIBITION
For 3 months, we created an exhibition at The Engine House - the central venue in London Wildlife Trust’s Walthamstow Wetlands.
The purpose of the exhibition was to highlight the creative process of the project, whilst shining a light on the rich history of Walthamstow Wetlands.
I designed and created all the wall fittings for the exhibition, along with the photography.
VINYL
II have designed the vinyl sleeve for a limited edition 12” pressing of Wetlands. It will be created with a removable film sleeve that includes topographical map printings, that feature local landmarks, such as The Engine House, The Coppermill Tower and surrounding London tube stops.
This is currently in the process of being pressed and will be available to purchase on Hayden Thorpe’s UK tour in November.
MUSIC VIDEO
Over the space of nearly 8 months, I spent multiple days a week visiting Walthamstow Wetlands capturing video, with the intention of capturing the site and its wildlife in every season of the year. The result of this was a study of the site’s industrial history, as well as the current solace is provides for both nature and the surrounding population of Walthamstow and Tottenham.
I shot and edited this music video, including the colour grading.
The track is titled ‘Infinite Path’, inspired by the endless, winding paths through Walthamstow Wetlands.