Series

The Power of Sound

What does sound mean to the individuals who make a living – and have made a life – from it? In this collaborative series between KEF and Monocle, we unpack the power of sound on the human mind and soul, honing in on the aural journey of one audiophile in each episode – from sound designers and musicians, to nature recordists and acoustics consultants. Beginning with their first memory of sound, the subject narrates the multifaceted ways in which the soundtrack of their lives has unfolded, in the process changing the very way they listen to the world around them.

The Power of Sound was created in collaboration with Monocle 24.

Monocle 24 delivers an unrivalled platform for live, global news, the best music and magazine shows covering everything from business, culture and design to hospitality, media and urbanism. The global radio station with an audience of over 1.5 million per month is proud to be the home of premium brands on air and in podcasts, creating programming that brings authority, warmth and great storytelling to audio. 

 

Episode 5: Johnnie Burn

Known for his stark and bold style of mixing, sound designer Johnnie Burn derives his unique approach to sound by tuning into the inherent musicality found in everyday objects, and the world of wonder that they can inspire.

15 MIN LISTEN

Episode 4: Susan Rogers

Susan Rogers chose the profession of sound engineering for its logic and practicality, yet her career has been a tale in artistry, having been responsible for fine-tuning the music of collaborators like Prince. Tune into her extraordinary journey of how a little girl growing up beside Disneyland became one of the most celebrated audio technicians today.

20 MIN LISTEN

Episode 3: Jamie Cullum

Memory, both melancholic and nostalgic, underpins Grammy-nominated jazz singer Jamie Cullum’s new Christmas album, ‘The Pianoman at Christmas’. Listen in as he breaks down the melodies and chord progressions of his original festive compositions, and offers his thoughts on the rituals to be found in the music of this time of the year.

12 MIN LISTEN

Episode 2: Hannah Peel

Sound is a breathing, vibrating thing to Emmy-nominated musician, composer and producer, Hannah Peel. Harnessing the intersection of sound, nature and psychology, her soundscapes translate concepts like memory into visceral experiences that are microscopic and expansive all at once.

17 MIN LISTEN

Episode 1: Chris Watson

The life of distinguished nature recordist Chris Watson is a lesson in truly listening to the world around us. But as habitats vanish due to global warming, his pursuit has become a race to preserve the sounds of our planet before they go silent forever.

13 MIN LISTEN