The set list from Alice Boyd’s event for In The Dark, where she chose pieces on the theme of “Hidden Sounds”, questioning what we could hear if we really listened.
Alice’s Field Recordings (Various)
Alice began the evening with some of her own recordings from over the years.
Like the sounds of aquatic plants photosynthesising:
And the little crinkles of tadpoles munching on the hydrophone:
Or the croaks of toads making love:
And the rumbles of the tube under a pond:
Whale Sound Bath (2022)
Alice took us to the ocean, a place we don’t often have access to, but one that is home to one of the hidden sounds many of us love the most: whale song.
It was produced by biologist Tom Mustill and sound artist Harley Lambrianou, in celebration of Tom’s book How to Speak Whale.
Perfect Hearing (2003)
Nubar Alexanian and his 14-year-old daughter Abby examine how his tinnitus and her hearing loss have affected their lives and shaped their relationship.
Produced for Transom.org by Abby and Nubar Alexian and Jay Allison.
Nancy Grows Up (1962)
Sometimes life passes so fast, we don’t notice how the sounds we hear everyday morph and change… American archivist and sound designer, Tony Schwartz documents the voice of his niece Nancy changing over the years.
After the Beep (2021)
Our changing voices are not the only things that can get lost to time. Technologies that were once present in homes across the world become redundant as the new takes its place, and with this comes the loss of forms of communications, and moments of intimacy.
“After the Beep” is treasure trove of answering machine tapes collected by artist and researcher Dr Susan Schuppli. The piece was produced by Thomas Glasser.
What’s in an Um? (2024)
Alice invited the audience to focus on the sounds we hear everyday but don’t necessarily notice, and the hidden meanings behind them. Starting with this piece from Talia Augustidis, produced with Falling Tree for BBC Radio 4’s Short Cuts.
The Freedom of Speech Itself (2012)
Almost imperceptible differences of our speech can be used for or against us.
Produced by Lawrence Abu Hamdan.
Melting Point (2015)
Our world is changing. What does this sound like?
Nina Perry’s radio documentary, produced with Falling Tree for BBC Radio 3, explores the human experience of ice melting.
All Under One Magnetosphere (2025)
The universe is filled with electromagnetic waves, radiating from solar storms and bursts of lighting, as well as our electronic devices and infrastructures. Using DIY tools, you can translate these waves into sound meaning you can listen to this energy.
This documentary was produced by Hannah Kemp-Welch and Oliver Sanders with Social Broadcasts for BBC Radio 4’s Illuminated, executive produced by Lucia Scazzocchio.
Hark: How Women Listen (2025, Extract)
Alice Vincent’s book “Hark: How Women Listen” explores hidden and disappearing sounds, from the phantom crying heard by mothers across the world, to the song of the nightingale. In this extract, sound designed by Alice Boyd, we hear about how people across the Arctic, and across time have reported the northern lights having a sound that can be heard, without equipment.
Alice Boyd Performances
Alice performed three songs, accompanied by Jacob Norris: Life in Cities:
Return of the White Tailed Eagle:
Heart ii: