[Sound Observations] finds beauty in incidental sonic snapshots and the minutiae of everyday sound. Through this lens we are introduced to a selection of entries from a journal of sonic observations. Embarking on a pilgrimage of perception throughout Mainland China, we are encouraged to become aware, begin to notice, and start to interpret the omni-present sonic environment that surrounds us.

Our ocular fascination means that the audible artifacts which make up the tapestry of our sound environment often go unnoticed. The act of noticing, recording where possible, and then articulating sound then is counter intuitive but for that very same reason also very interesting.

Conceptually, [Sound Observations] is a form of quiet resistance against the ever-present threat of awareness' hijacking' in the contemporary world. Through the practice of noticing, we are encouraged to embrace a gentle re-harnessing of what is rightfully ours; our attention. One welcome offshoot of which is the unfurling of frameworks which coax and cajole our latent, often stymied creative abilities to (re-) emerge and ultimately flourish.

In a bid to enhance a lifelong journey in creativity, sound and music, I decided to record a diary of such events, an alternative journal with sound at its foundation. This book is about that challenge, what I found, learned, and experienced by engaging with this process. It features selections from my journal thus far, a mix of old and new. In addition, given my location, The People's Republic of China (PRC), the sonic lens from which the journal is derived naturally takes both Oriental and Occidental slants. Thus, the resulting subtext offers an unorthodox insight to long-term expat life in this most fascinating and perplexing of places. Part creative non-fiction, part travel journal, [Sound Observations] is an unapologetically esoteric record of audio voyeurism and sonic anecdotes. A digestible companion for anyone looking to explore creativity, sound, mindfulness and travel.

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