Furrowed sound is a research project exploring disc-based signal inscription (‘record cutting’) in a range of contexts as part of a practice-based PhD.

The name is inspired by Pierre Schaeffer’s descriptions of sillon fermé (literal trans. closed furrows) in musique concrete practice. I really liked the idea that sound could be ‘planted’ in a record and that it was somehow being ‘ploughed’ into the material.

The project offers development of, and thoughts on, technologies, technique, performance, composition and sound art practices using record lathes as the key musical instrument.

Dylan Beattie is a lecturer in Music and Music Technology and PhD student in musical composition at the University of Sussex. Performing as ‘Furrowed’, his practice explores the use of antiquated recording technologies situated in new creative contexts including composition, performance and installation. As a sound artist, producer and engineer he is interested in the creative potential offered by intersecting traditional studio practice with open source technologies, coding and mechanical recording.