Hema in Mexico City

"The sound piece was inspired by the Mexico City mariachi street march, I was inspired by the poly rhythmic patterns and the instruments I was hearing over the street sounds in the recording. I enjoyed how the sound kept changing and gave the impression of moving through a street or passage with sound. In my composition I imagined myself as part of the procession whilst trying to create an individual experience and thus the sub-theme: Hema, which is a Tswana word that translate to breathe and comments how collective happenings and events can be a moment of exhalation and clarity for another as it was listening to the original sound. 

"I used voice together with virtual and actual instruments to create a multi layered landscape. I used voice over recorded drums,chatter, and a bamboo flute alongside virtual instruments such as brass and atmospheric keys. The sound piece starts with trumpets sounded from the march and into a contemplative soundscape lead by the flute and mouth sounds." 

Mexico City mariachis reimagined by Boitumelo Motau.

———————

This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world’s most famous sights.

Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage