Owen Duff
Artist statement:
This long-form sound design work is derived from an improvised ‘duet’ I recorded with an Amazon Echo smart speaker, singing freely associated questions to the device and responding musically to the emotions I felt upon hearing its answers.
The piece explores the relationship between free expression and a technology that is designed to record, analyse and categorise human behaviour.
Also incorporated is audio from Amazon's servers of what the Echo recorded, as I wanted to include what it “heard”.
These recordings were originally edited down to a 5-minute piece as part of an academic submission, but here I use them as the basis for an ambient piece of sound design, which attempts to express the alienation, frustration, stultification, yearning and confusion of humans as we relate to the technology we've invented.
A true adherent to the DIY ethos, Owen Duff creates everything related to his music, from artwork to videos, as well as playing/programming nearly all of the instruments on his songs. His songs that blend influences from folk, 60s chamber pop, electronica, film and TV scores and jazz. Owen's lyrics are inspired by books, films, TV, high and low culture, politics and personal experience. less