Hillary Geddes
Image: Photo: April Josie
Over the last few years the concept of slow TV has become quite the phenomenon, in large part thanks to SBS and their multi-hour long rail journey productions. In March this concept takes a new twist thanks to jazz guitarist Hillary Geddes and SIMA.
On March 11 Geddes and her quartet will be performing improvised music to accompany a roughly 20 minute video of a boat journey along Sydney’s Nepean River. According to Geddes this work will allow the audience to contemplate and reflect upon the importance of natural waterways, water conservation, border restrictions all while being transported through the music and visuals.
For Geddes having the opportunity to create music for this work was given even greater significance given her childhood background
“It’s been really exciting working on this project because I grew up in the Murrumbidgee irrigation area. So conversations around water and river systems have always been a hot topic of conversation,” Geddes explained. “I was really excited to be able to look at the Nepean and Warragamba while also exploring the conversations around water and remembering those conversations from my childhood.”
In order to create this work Geddes used sound mapping techniques which included taking field recordings on location, looping techniques and obviously the expertise of a film crew to capture the visual elements.
When reflecting on the creative process Geddes recalled how special the the moment she joined the film crew was for her, “I’ve always thought of Sydney as a coastal town, despite all of it’s rivers, but when I went out to the Nepean River I was really stuck by the smell of fresh water and immediately transported back my childhood.”
Looking back on her early years discovering a love for music the idea of a concert framed around slow TV was perhaps the furthest thing from her mind given her earliest inspiration.
“I was probably about 4 years old when I watched an AC/DC concert on video and decided I wanted to be like Angus Young,” Geddes said. However, as she grew Geddes’ musical horizons were expanded, particularly once she began studying at the Conservatorium of Music. “When I first moved to Sydney I learnt from Steve Bryan, who was a lecturer at the Conservatorium. He really opened my eyes and ears by broadening my listening, so I’ve got a lot to be thankful for in terms of the things that Steve taught me.”
Mar 11. Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza St, Newtown. $35+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sima.org.au
