Bivouac Recording is a sound label and recording services company dedicated to releasing commissioned and independent field recording projects from China.
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Welcome
Image from the 'Bridges Of Shanghai' project.
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Projects
Bridges of Shanghai documents the sounds of the bridges that bind together the man-made jigsaw puzzle of the Shanghai province. Each suture contains a specific audible genius loci that includes both the transient and permanent. Large or small, busy or derelict, they serve more than just the purpose for which it was built. A permanent root for the natural growth of the civilization around them.
Beneath its belly one could find housing for workers, public storage, factories, hobos, trash heaps or bubbling waterways. Around its feet could be a vibrant community, a forgotten thoroughfare, or a ruin for future development.
“Growing Up With Shanghai” is a series of soundwalks with young Shanghainese who were born and raised during the rapid modernization of their city in the 1980s and 1990s. These recordings capture not only their most intimate memories of the locations where they grew up, but also the progress and growth Shanghai has undergone in the past 30 years. The current sounds of Shanghai can be heard behind the dialog and also serve as an audio document for future generations of Shanghainese. All dialogue is in Shanghainese or in their local dialect.
'A Year Of China' is a project made to collect 8,760 hours of audio from China that when played, will last exactly for one year. This enormous document will create a mostly non-visual picture of the life, sounds, and noise of China.
Anyone is welcome to submit recordings they have made in China no matter what the length or when it was recorded. Also, please refrain from only recording copyrighted material such as music, tv, etc. If these sounds are in the background, it is fine but recording the radio may not acceptable.
When complete, an exhibition will be held in Shanghai, China and throughout the world.
All recordings will be under an BY-NC-SA license when released for public download.
These sounds were recorded during the month of October 2011 during the shoot of the upcoming film: "Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine" (2012).
Please share this set by putting the embed code into your blog or webpage.
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'Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine' Film
The 'Matt Shepard Is A Friend Of Mine' Film is directed by a close friend of Matt's, Michele Josue. More information can be found on the movie website:http://mattshepardisafriendofmine.com/
The film is currently in post production and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2012.
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Matthew Shepard Foundation
The Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998.Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to “Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance” through its varied educational, outreach and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew’s story.
For more information:
http://www.matthewshepard.org/
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Albums
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BuyRecorded February 22, 2010 at 9:18 a.m. Mandy had lived in a small house on Huai Hai Lu her entire life until November 2009 when her house was demolished. Mandy had contacted me after hearing about the Growing Up With Shanghai project on TV and thought it would be interesting to document her memories in the area around her now demolished home. She had mentioned her Grandfather was very knowledgeable about the history of this area of Huai Hai Lu but he was unavailable for the walk- there only in spirit by some scribbled notes on a folded piece of paper. Mandy was a bit nervous in the beginning, relying mostly on her notes to guide her dialog. However, when we finally reached her old house she became more candid, emotional, and spontaneous. Walking down the narrow alleyway that was the entrance to her old neighborhood, it seemed as if we walked into another world. Just beyond the flashy street facades, lay a wasteland of demolished and half-demolished buildings. The few that were left standing still had residents. This is a great document of pre-Expo Shanghai and the changes that were happening to the city we saw and the parts of the city we didn’t. It has been one year since the recording and nothing still has been built on the site. Mandy and her family have since moved into a residence further down on Huai Hai Lu. One thing I found interesting about her transcript was that she would mostly refer to a location by its previous name and not what was there now. * Please note that site of her old house is no longer accessible-
31:57
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BuyThis walk was a real treat and I really recommend following it if you ever are in Shanghai. I only had a general idea of the route before we started but little did I know that it would lead into the hidden passageways and give a very intimate glimpse of the old, quiet Nong Tangs of Shanghai, rarely seen without a local resident guide. During one of our later conversations, it was interesting to learn that Albert’s elementary, junior, and high school have all been demolished – how fascinating that such a part of one’s childhood is erased so quickly. Jian Guo Lu is a 2–lane typical French Concession street filled with old buildings and local Shanghai life. Cutting across the heart of the French Concession, it is a more intimate thoroughfare compared to Huai Hai Lu or Fu Xing Lu – which may also contribute to its popularity. When embarking on this walk, you will need to follow the map and photos very carefully as the route may not always be apparent. But if you do get lost – explore! Photos by Weina Li.-
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BuyThis track was recorded in the Hong Kou Area of Shanghai on July 7, 2010. Sally moved to Canada when she was 5 years old and had recently returned to polish up her Mandarin and get back to her roots. She shares with us memories of her old neighborhood and takes us along a local street where the local life helped recall lost stories of her childhood. She wonders about why her memories of Shanghai were still so vivid while her time in Canada seemed to be so easily forgotten. It seems that Shanghai is finding alot of young adults coming back to reconnect with their memories. Some stay, some go, and some realize they never left. We are pleased to document and present this walk to you.-
33:33
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BuyThis track was recorded in the Wen Miao area of Shanghai on July 8, 2010. Secilia had gone to school here her whole life and shares her memories about the environment and how it has become an unforgettable part of her life. Wen Miao Lu today is still a thoroughfare for young student as there are many schools along just this one street. Adolescent paraphernalia and school bookstores line the street enticing kids to spend their lunch money on the latest comic or anime video. Amidst all of this life however is the serene Wen Miao temple where students, tourists, and locals alike can take a break from the sometimes overwhelming reality that lay just beyond its walls. We are pleased to document and present this walk to you.-
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BuyWelcome to the future. Across the river in Pudong is the traditional metropolis that we are used to seeing in modern cities around the world. Even with the final tower not built yet, the current skyline still awes visitors. Century avenue is the main corridor going from Lu Jia Zui to Century Park. The scale is completely different on this side of the river, with wide roads and very tall buildings, one can finally spread out kick back relax. This recording is a soundwalk where Shanghai speaks through the daily life of its people. We can hear the newest part of town still in its adolescence with the seemingly endless construction sounds, long waits at huge intersections, and the many people and cars. My goal was to walk to from Lu Jia Zui to the Science and Technology Museum but realized it was much farther than I thought so I decided to jump on a subway to shorten the time for the recording. I hope to do more walks on the Pudong side in the future as really none of its recent past really remains. It truly would be a feat to envision how life was before this new City grew through its past residents. This walk is to serve as the beginning of our own story. No matter if you come tomorrow or two years later, the city will always be changing and maturing into something more amazing. No matter our age or our arrival, we will always be- growing up with Shanghai. Strap on your walking shoes and don’t forget your subway card. Welcome to Shanghai.-
44:03
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BuyWalking with Terence, he shows me around his neighborhood in one of the old shanty towns, or 'Peng Hu' areas, near Suzhou Creek. His story reveals the raw living conditions of all residents both young and old. The Peng Hu neighborhoods are fast disappearing within the inner ring. With property values at an all time high and the relatively poor living conditions of residents barely an eye seems to be batted when another one is lost. Because the areas are usually not historically significant, these areas are the first to go in any new developments. Terence's soundwalk takes place at night. The dynamic of loud and quiet was amazing, some parts were spoken almost as a whisper to match the general ambience. Parts of his story matched the eerie darkness of the area heightening the senses. As usual, I recommend doing the walk at the same time of day as it was recorded to to match our experience. While this area is not the most glamorous in Shanghai, it does have it own unique flavor. This walk and its translation will be offered for free until the end of August in Issuu. Please visit the link below to see the translation:-
31:18
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Location Sound
Bivouac Recording also offers sound recording services for the tv / film / documentary industry. We specialize in Location Recording, Audio Post-Production, Sound Design, Foley, and Creative Audio Commissions such as customized soundwalks, specific location recordings, and audio installations.
We look forward to working and collaborating with open-minded, creative individuals or businesses who are looking to use sound to take their business, production, or creative idea to the next level. We have experience in sound recording for independent and corporate video, documentaries, remote field recording, audio post-production, and live and studio sound recording; all with a focus on achieving the best quality sound possible. Please contact us with your idea and we will be happy to work with you to realize it.
Our current equipment is listed below:
Computers and Software
> Apple iMac Intel i5 2.7ghz 16gb RAM
> Avid Protools LE 8 with DV Toolkit 2, Mbox 2 and Mbox 2 Micro
> Digital Performer 7.4
Recorders
> Sound Devices 302 Mixer
> Sound Devices 744T Recorder
> (2) Sony PCM-D50 with XLR-1 Attachment
> Sony PCM-M10
Microphones
> Boom pole
> Sennheiser MKH-418s with windshield
> Rode NTG-3
> Audix SCX1-HC Hypercardioid
> Rode NT3 (2)
> Samson CL8 (2)
> Samson 5Kit Drum Mics
Timeccode
> Denecke T-SC Digital Slate
> Ambient Recording TC-TRX Timecode Transceiver System
Wireless
> (2) Lectrosonics UCR401/ LMa Wireless Microphones
> (2) OST TL-40, 802 Lavaliers
> (2) Sony UWP-1 Wireless mic sets
> (2) Countryman EMW Lavalier microphone
> (2) Countryman B6 Lavalier microphone
Other
> Sennheiser HD 25 Headphones
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Press
Here are the articles and media about us and our projects. Some articles may be in Chinese only:
Exhibitions
December 3-5, 2011
Location: A+A | Centro Espositivo Sloveno
December 4, 2010- January 16, 2011
Stage-back gallery (Weihai Lu)
TV
- Shanghai Quest (ICS)
Aired: January 21, 22, and February 25, 2010
Publications
Feature article by Nancy Zhang
“A Birds Eye View of Shanghai’s Recent Past as told by young Shanghainese”
By Robert Schrader
Feature article on artist Chris Gill’s Shanghai blog.
By Chris GillFeature Article: “Growing up with Shanghai: ‘Soundwalk’ with the locals”
By Jessica Beaton
Feature Article
By Kellen Parker
Reform, Opening, Adolescence
By Sam Gaskin
‘New Release’ book review
By John Sunyer
‘Urban Skin’ review
* Please note that the book is 200 RMB not 100RMB as stated in the article.
By Helen Elfer
Lecture talk with Tom Carter and Terence LLoren
- Global Times (Friday, October 15, 2010)
‘Listening Up’
By Tom Mangione
多国语言大合唱
By 李乃清
罗天瑞:倾昕一幢旧楼的倒塌或淮海路的私语
丁宁| 采访
