Alice Boyd - From The Understory (A film by Sound and Music)

   / @aliceboydmusic   is a London and Bristol-based composer, sound artist and audio producer. Her work primarily explores our interconnectedness with the natural world, often using the voice, ambient electronic textures and novel field recording techniques, which unveil the hidden sounds of our environments. In 2020, Alice joined Sound and Music’s New Voices programme, marking a pivotal moment in her creative career. We documented Alice’s journey as she prepared for her artist residency and performance at the Eden Project, home to the world’s largest indoor rainforest. Using hand-made Arduino technology, she captured the subtle changes in conductivity of plants as they photosynthesised, translating these signals into pitch, frequency, and ultimately melody. This innovative approach not only formed the foundation of her Eden Project performance but also inspired her debut EP,    • Alice Boyd - From The Understory EP (Live ...  , produced with support from Sound and Music's New Voices programme, PRS Foundation's Women Make Music grant, The Eden Project and Arts Council England. The EP, released in April 2023, offers a sonic exploration of the plants in the Rainforest Biome, blending technology and art to reflect the intricacies of the natural world. Alice’s time on New Voices was “transformational”, offering her the space and mentorship to shift from theatre-based work to self-led projects during a challenging time for the arts. With sustained support from Sound and Music’s Creative Programme Leaders, mentors and industry experts, she explored the full spectrum of the creative process—from research and composition to live performance. Her story is one of innovation and resilience—a truly inspiring voice in contemporary music. Learn more about Artist Development at Sound and Music by visiting: https://soundandmusic.org/programmes New Voices was supported by Arts Council England, and by the following funders, with thanks: Garfield Weston, Vaughan Williams Foundation, The London Community Foundation Cockayne Grant, Esmée Fairbairn Trust and the Garrick Club Charitable Trust, and PRS Foundation as a Talent Development Partner. Film directed and edited by James Stier:   / mrjamesstier