9 mins. 8-channel recording. The first work of the composer’s Radio Series commissioned by INA/GRM, premiered 12 May 2007 at the Salle Messiaen at Radio France and followed immediately with a performance on France Musique

Programme note: This eight-channel work, like many of my recent works, focuses on recycling sounds (aka appropriation, plundering, sampling, etc.). Oh là la radio is a GRM commission based on their desire for composers to plunder archives. In this case, diverse French radio programmes covering very few days were recorded (with thanks to Christian Zanési) and used as source material. Other than the initial sound, which may be familiar to sonic art enthusiasts, all sounds were recorded from French broadcasts during this period. The role I chose was simply to re-compose what was supplied. For those familiar with the French radio, many familiar voices and logos can be heard. It works both at the level of heightened listening – understanding every word spoken if that is what you want to pay attention to – and reduced listening – catching the occasional phrase but listening to the work as organised sound. The piece seeks to take the known, tilt it ever so slightly and re-present it as a sound-based artwork. Humour is one of the work’s key elements. This piece received such enthusiastic feedback, it became the first of a series that has continued for (at least) one and a half decades. As far as copyright is concerned … don’t ask.

This is a binaural version of the piece. Translation video: Andrew Hill