Best Foot Music
By Phillip Minns
Best Foot MusicNov 03, 2022
Istanbul Soundscape 3rd to 11th April 2024.
We visited Istanbul for a holiday from 3rd to 11th April 2024. These recordings were made whilst walking around the city, predominantly in the Fatih district, which includes the historic peninsula . We also visited Kadıköy & Büyükada. Recordings are made with a Zoom H6 recorder with the XYH-6 X/Y MIC.
All recordings made in public spaces.
Istanbul has an estimated population of 15.46 million and covers 5461 square km², compared to London’s population of 8.9 million and size of 1573 km². Considering its size and population, it’ve very easy to find peaceful quiet spaces. This episode includes street musicians, nature sounds, cafes and memories of life in the city.
The call to prayer (Adhan) is recited 5 times a day and so is a regular part of the soundscape of Istanbul. Our flight arrived in Istanbul early morning on the 3rd April, we arrived at our hotel around 5 in the morning, coincidentally Fajr, the first of the day happened just as we stepped out of our taxi. The street we stayed on was narrow, with high buildings, near several large mosques, causing the sound to reverberate, not dissimilar to being in a canyon. In other places, its a quiet background sound.
We were visiting during the last few days of Ramadan, including Eid, with a major public holiday the following three days (Bayram)
00 - 7.10 April 3rd
Arriving at our hotel, near küçükpazar, early morning call to prayer (Fajr) then Beyoğlu, near Galata bridge.
7.15 - 10.50 April 4th
Balat and Fena.
10.50 - 14.40 April 5th
Near küçükpazar, walking to Beyoğlu, then walking to Suleymaniye Mosque, Eminönü.
14.40 - 18.10 April 6th
Ferry to Kadıköy, then Fener in the evening, including drummer. His family have been drumming for generations, he collects money during Ramadan, wishing people happy holidays.
18.10 - 27.00 April 7th
Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Fener. Street sounds Balat and Fener, including drummer.
27.00 - 31.00 April 8th
Early morning bakery in küçükpazar, then Büyükada, Princes' Islands.
32.00 - 53.42 April 9th
The last day of Ramadan, we spent the whole day around Sultanahmet, visiting the Sultanahmet Camii (Blue Mosque), Hagia Sophia and sitting in the Sultan Ahmet park with 1000’s of people as they waited for the final Iftar meal of this Ramadan. It was really beautiful.
53.42 - 1.07.20 April 10th
Beyoğlu
1.07.20 - end April 11th
Early morning call to prayer from our hotel window, with Simit bakery in background, walking through the neighbourhood early morning and Basilica Cistern sounds.
There are a few bits of recognisable music being played from passing cars, restaurants etc.
27.15: Başkentli Resul - Sabir Ver
1.03: Aynur Doğan - Keçê Kurdan
These are just the ones I recognise, if you know more, please message.
Conversation on Ukrainian Literature & Poetry
A conversation and poetry reading between Vladyslava Bondar and Naomi Foyle, recorded at Razom ~ Together on the 17th March 2024, at the Rose Hill Brighton
Razom ~ Together is a series of collaborative social events organised by the Ukrainian community and their friends in Brighton, focusing on sharing food, music and a safe space to form friendships.
Naomi worked for Waterloo Press and has a history of publishing Ukrainian literature in the UK. She is Reader in Critical Imaginative Writing at the University of Chichester'.
Further information on Naomi's work on Ukraine can be seen in the links below.
https://pulsemedia.org/2015/01/21/writing-with-foreign-blood-a-visit-to-ukraine/
https://www.naomifoyle.com/category/ukraine/
Vladyslava is originally from Ukraine currently living in Brighton. She is community organiser, activist, founder member of Kupala Brighton and member of the Razom organising team.
Thanks to Marek Kohn for suggesting the idea of a Ukrainian literature reading as part of Razom and introducing us to Naomi. Marek is also a member of the Razom team.
Voices From the Protest. 09th/03/24 London
Saturday the 9th of March. A short episode, capturing some of the protest for Palestine. Set against the backdrop of the UK Gov and some of the media calling the marches 'Hate marches'. Also includes the thoughts of some Jewish activists and academics we met on the march.
Voices From the Protest. 13th/01/24 London
Saturday, January 13th. National March For Palestine, London, UK.
As always it was incredibly diverse. In relation to some of the negative reactions to the marches, I thought it would be interesting to capture some of the voices of people there, so took a recorder and asked people one question; what made you come today. 10 people spoke, from a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences. I didn't ask anyone about how they identify, but 2 people said straight away they were Jewish. Some talked about prejudices they had faced in life and the need to stand against a decline in global ethics. The march was peaceful and attended by people from all over the UK.
The first 6 minutes are people speaking, followed by roughly 10 minutes of soundscape from the demo. The march finished at Trafalgar Square, a short walk from Downing Street. The final couple of minutes are the bells of Westminster Abbey, as we walked away at the end of the day, passing through statues and buildings constructed at the heart of the British Empire, one can't help be be reminded of that empire's lasting legacy.
The first national march was held on 15th October. At the time, the UK Home Secretary branded the marches as 'hate marches' as did parts of the UK press.
As of December 30, 2023 Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor estimated Gaza Strip civilian deaths at 27,681.
On 30 October, Save the Children reported more children had died in three weeks in Gaza than in the entire sum of conflicts around the world in the past four years.
https://www.un.org/en/situation-in-occupied-palestine-and-israel
Made For Ukraine Soundscape
Conversations with local Ukrainian people and soundscape of incidental music, and ambience at the Made For Ukraine fundraiser event in All Saints Church, Hove, 21st October 2023.
Music in this podcast is not from live music performances on the day but instead includes clips from song and dance workshops and someone improvising on the piano while the gig was being set up.
More pics, info & donations to medical supplies are in the link:
Ivana Kupala Soundscape
A fabulous afternoon event, organised by by members of the local Ukranian community. Held in Preston Park on Sunday 9th July.
The Kupala Brighton website has been set up by Vladyslava Bondar and Marek Kohn. Please support their work by visiting the site and following their social media.
https://kupalabrighton.org/
https://www.standforukrainebnh.org/
India Soundscape 2023 Part 06: Hyderabad, Qutub Shahi Tombs, 23rd August
Sounds recorded approaching, in and around the Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad. The 7 tombs were built between 1550 and 1667. The large domed structures create a natural reverb and are stunningly beautiful to walk around.
India Soundscape 2023 Part 05: Nagpur, 13th to 16th August
Soundscape from Nagpur, including a musician outside Deekshabhoomi, where B. R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism as an action against the caste system and street sounds from the Itwari market district.
India Soundscape 2023 Part 01: Hyderabad to Balharshah Train, 29th July
Soundscape made on the train journey from Hyderabad to Balharshah.
India Soundscape 2023 Part 04: Gadchiroli District, surrounding villages, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9th August
Gond people drumming, Chatgaon, Maharashtra, Jungle sounds and music from Markbodi. All recorded during events taking place on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 9th of August.
India Soundscape 2023 Part 03: Gadchiroli 17th to 21st August
Our last few days in Gadchiroli include; a candy floss vendor arriving outside the house, monsoon rains, a school choir, distant drums from a funeral on the far side of the river Kathani, morning sounds and insects on our final evening before making the journey to Hyderabad for our flight home (Hyderabad will be in the next episode)
India Soundscape 2023 Part 02: Gadchiroli 29th July to 13th August
Soundscape recording made in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, whilst visiting family. Includes street and nature sounds, Sunday market and Tajuddin Muhammad Badruddin parade.
Amnesty International UK Student Conference, 29 Jan 2023
We were invited along with our friend and collaborator Polina Shepherd to discuss music as a form of activism, at the Amnesty International annual UK Student conference, at the Amnesty UK headquarters in London. Thanks to Poppy Sheward Skelton for arranging this, conducting the interview and all her hard work and interest in what we do, also thanks to Amnesty for giving us a platform at their event.
Polina's work is here:
the 150 Voices project is here (we worked together on the UK recordings)
They are waiting for us to become civilised, while we are waiting for them to turn human.
Conversation with Jacinta Kerketta, Felix Padel & Laila Kadiwal, on Adivasi & minority rights, democracy, protest, environmentalism, & colonialism in India.
The title of this episode is from the poem by Jacinta.
With support from:
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/cweh/
https://twitter.com/JacintaKerkett2
https://www.bestfootmusic.net/
Decolonising The Creative Space: Chapter 4
The 4th and final part of this series. Intersectionality, the 5 'R's & concluding thoughts.
Decolonising The Creative Space: Chapter 3
Kamla & Laila discuss their own experiences with arts-related projects.
Topics include; Unlearning, decision-making processes, the 'right' voice, micro and macro biases and thinking from the margin.
The 4th and final part of this conversation will be published Friday 31st July 9.00 am UK time.
Coming Soon: Decolonising The Creative Space
Trailer for Episode 3 (of 4) of Decolonising The Creative Space, with Kamla Jo Braithwaite & Dr Laila Kadiwal.
Polina Shepherd: 5 Choirs, 150 Voices, Russian & Yiddish songs & Cultural Activism
Brighton based musician, composer and cultural activist Polina Shepherd on her exciting collaborative project with Lorin Sklamberg and choirs based in the UK and USA.
Decolonising The Creative Space: Chapter 2
Part 2: Kamla Jo Braithwaite & Dr Laila Kadiwal from Trinidad and Tobago and India, discussing their own experiences of working in creative spaces. Chapter 2 includes; Problematic terminologies 'the other', who can tell a story? Black Lives Matter and the creative spaces in Trinidad and Tobago.
Decolonising The Creative Space: Chapter 1
Part 1: Kamla Jo Braithwaite & Dr Laila Kadiwal from Trinidad and Tobago and India, discussing their own experiences of working in creative spaces. Chapter 1 includes, Setting the context; what do we mean by decolonising the creative space and why do we need it? How did we get here?
Links to some of the discussions in this chapter:
Jane Austen & Edward Said
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1344068
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styles_and_themes_of_Jane_Austen#Role_of_colonialism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orientalism_(book)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_and_Imperialism
Best Foot Music: Pilot Episode: Influences and Beginnings
This episode is about how we started Best Foot Music.
It features the music of Anna Lazareva.
You can find the full recording session with Anna here: https://bestfootmusic.bandcamp.com/album/anna-lazareva
Record labels and musicians mentioned in this episode
https://open.spotify.com/artist/39zIRxvWFOGGH4hxGqRkLy?si=JA74JRZrT029x-T8sOELeA
Double Moon Records
