Wolfgang Butrress
Released label: Rivertones
Release date: 12th February 2016
A hypnotic conceptualisation of the life, work and living environment of the bee, “One” is a truly transcendental record.
The original concept was to create a soundscape activated by live-streamed signals from a beehive.
These signals triggered noise gates at particular thresholds, activating harmonious stems from a pre-recorded library. To create this library, a live feed of beehive sounds was played while musicians improvised an accompaniment in the key of C. These recordings formed a framework for the main tracks. This resulted in a constantly changing and evolving symphony a dialogue between bee and human.
The initial aim was to produce a soundscape for the UK Pavilion, but the project progressed and took on a life of its own, leading to the creation of a full album, BE•ONE. This four-track album imagines the sound of British summertime as heard by one of the most important members of the animal kingdom, the bee.
ONE is the album created by musical collective BE, which consists of an adapted version of the UK Pavilion soundscape.
Specific bee communication signals:
1. ‘Signal’
Short pulses
2. ‘Waggle dance’
Provides information about the location and quantity of resources.
3. ‘Tooting’
A challenge call from a virgin queen to another queen.
Be One Vinyl Listening Session at the Guardian Gathering 2023