MINING - Chimet (The Leaf Label) [Ambient Neoclassical]

Grand concept albums rarely translate well into real world listenability, but MINING's meteorological & sea state algorithmic sonification of hurricane Ophelia feeding into the UK's Storm Brian, transposed from weather recording data streams is beautifully realised. Neoclassical strings & piano amplify climatic intensity & respites; imposing ambient electronics convey nature's might, foreboding & menace; as occasional metronomic augmentation alludes to the data input devices dispassionately recording this catastrophic event. A fitting anthropocenic soundtrack for the extreme weather events soon to be the new normal, as nature does what she has to.

Relase Notes For More Context

Chimet is a meteorological and sea state algorithmic sonification project.

Chichester West Pole Beacon, also known as Chimet, is a comprehensive weather information system recording conditions in Hayling Bay, West Sussex, both in real-time and historically. Located at 50° 45'.45 N, 00° 56'.59 W, approximately one mile from the entrance to Chichester Harbour, the instrumentation on Chimet records data including air and water temperature; barometric pressure; wind speed and direction; water depth; wave height, period and frequency; and time of day.

Over a period of seven days in October 2017, the devastating Atlantic Hurricane Ophelia fed straight into another weather event, known as Storm Brian in the UK. MINING mapped the data from this storm onto various musical values and parameters, including harmonic range, pitch, density and volume - resulting in a continuous piece of electronic sound design that directly traces the contours of the two storm systems. After several iterations, improvised instrumental performances were added on piano, cello and synthesiser.

The original 2,016 lines of source data streams (collected every five minutes between 0030 on October 16th 2017 and 0025 on the 23rd) have also been visualised in the album artwork, with each of the 504 LP sleeves possessing a unique vertical visualisation strip and individual timestamp, corresponding to a 20-minute period of the storm sequence.

In making Chimet, MINING approached both the data and its musical results as a locus of synergy, allowing their respective passions for sailing, weather, sea, sound design and improvisation to intersect and manifest in a singular musical statement. 

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