Tidal Harmonies — A Reflection on Community Through Sound

Using a series of written vignettes each paired with a sonic portrait, Tidal Harmonies reimagines how communal auditory practices cultivate belonging and weave individuals into a collective identity. Developed for Sound Art Lab X Struer Tracks digital publication Kommunal Praksis.

a funeral for the matriarch

white polyester seat covers pulled over gold lined chairs
a red runner divides a round table cladded with with evergreen wax flowers and photo frames
shoes squeak as they bring in the cold and the dj decides to play the cookout’s best
i haven’t seen a lot of these people since my mom was alive
they tear up as to meet my eyes is to enter a world in which Chanel is still around
reunions buzz over the the food kept dull hum and i wont stop flashing a smile
broken that i am not broken from the loss
Cheyenne says she feels blessed and well, i asked

secret coffee

behind the mill by the water
adorned with smells of coffee-infused outerwear and glossier you
you know, the clothes that aren’t that bad but could use a wash
i have an horchata affogato – it’s a treat, i don’t do caffeine
sweet sounds of wind dance over electric bell tones
briefly break into their briefcase for pastels
my hands welcome a mirage of crepuscular rays and muddied clouds
on a spiral page, i have to go home

preoccupation, face to face

heyyyyyyyyy
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
then our phones are just facing the ceiling fans
or maybe we’re doing our hair
and the phone is propped up by the sink
i say hi to dad as he walks past to the kitchen
helllooo Wayne ‘she says hi’ hi mama ‘he says hi too’
im styling my bangs so they make a diamond on my oval face
your words come with no warning
im laughing so hard i rub the soreness from my face
the laugh drops to my belly and that feels a lot better
your edges look so good. okay ponytail
we dip into ideas about what we want for our family and ourselves
okay tell dad i said bye Love You Dad Bye

daybreak

the week before the big thaw, even the trucks are shivering
running into town early to see if i need glasses
i should’ve saw that coming

delux

translucent candy canes walk in a straight line, painting the ceiling red, off white and green
it’s a tight fit in here, but just give a smile as we bump shoulders
you’ve been coming here a lot longer than i have, familiarity keeps your face bright
curiosity washes over mine and you’re into that
a nick & nora sits by your hand softly tapping on the table
together we find comfort in the clutter on the walls, bottles nearly tip over but they’ll never know the ground
our rainy clothes are almost dry, i’m ready to go somewhere new