Nature Finds Its Groove In The Birch Grove

One of the most magical moments of September’s Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival will take place amongst the trees of the Birch Grove in the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, where London-based sound artist and DJ Brian d’Souza, also known as Auntie Flo, will create an immersive, one-of-a-kind sound installation powered by the garden itself.

Blending music, science and nature, Brian uses a technique called biosonification, which captures the tiny electrical signals produced by living organisms to translate them into sounds. “A lot of the work I do is around the idea of biosonification,” he explains. “By using a range of different microphones and a biosonification kit to pick up the electrical impulses that living things make, I can create the soundscape of the garden.”

This unique soundscape will be created from synthesisers, audio recordings and the secret signals of ferns, mushrooms and other living things. Sarah Mead, creator and owner of the Yeo Valley Organic Garden whose idea it was to host the first ever Festival in the garden, says:

“We are all familiar with the sounds of nature - birdsong, buzzing insects and the breeze in the trees - but rarely do we hear from the plants and fungi themselves. Brian has turned nature’s hidden rhythms into something we can wander through under the trees. We’re inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the unique sound experience Brian has created and soak up the moment where music meets mycelium, and the trees hum their own tunes.”

Brian’s work has previously been featured at New Scientist Live, Glastonbury Festival, and Tate Modern.

To find out more about the Birch Grove soundscape, watch our Instagram reel below.

Follow Auntie Flo here.