Special Talk with Andrew Skeoch: Deep Listening to Nature

Andrew Skeoch is a master nature sound recordist and acoustic ecologist, who has travelled widely to capture the sounds of the world’s remaining wild places. In his new book, Deep Listening to Nature, Andrew guides us in how to become a listener to nature through an immersive multi-media presentation, weaving a narrative of ideas with vibrant recordings of birdsong and nature sounds.

During the presentation, you will learn more about:

• developing an auditory awareness of the natural environment around us

• identifying species by their vocalisations

• why do creatures use the specific calls they do?

• the dawn chorus and frog communities – how do collective communications work?

• empathic listening, hearing sentience and nurturing care for nature

• what does listening to nature have to teach us about sustainability?

This talk is not only for ‘nature folk’, but suitable for general audiences. It is an immersive experience, with evocative birdsong recordings accompanied by images and spectrograms which allow the audience to see the structure and beauty of sounds. Come and enjoy a fascinating evening with a difference! Copies of the book will be available on the night. Light refreshments provided.

About the Book

Deep Listening to Nature is an invitation to open our ears to the natural world. Beginning by tuning in to the sound of creatures around us, Andrew discusses how to identify species by call, interpret their communications and find empathy for their sentience. Part reflection, part nature and travel diary, Andrew asks the question: What does listening reveal about how the living systems of nature function, and why do birds in particular negotiate their interactions in such lyrical and extraordinary ways? He concludes by suggesting we not only listen to learn about nature, but learn from nature. He asks how, in our current environmental crisis, we may mimic what the biosphere has achieved in sustaining life as we move toward an ecological future and in doing so, form a deeper and more personal connection to Country. Andrew encourages us to be still and listen. Take our time. Extend our senses. Let nature get to know us, and in its own way, to welcome us. The book is accompanied by a soundtrack with over 270 vibrant nature recordings which bring the text to life.

About Andrew

Andrew Skeoch is a professional wildlife sound recordist and author of ‘Deep Listening to Nature’. Over the last thirty years, he has documenting the sounds of environments around the planet, and through his label ‘Listening Earth’, published over one hundred recordings allowing listeners to immerse themselves in wild soundscapes from around the world. His recordings have been heard in documentaries, installations and feature films such as Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack to ‘Rabbit Proof Fence’. He has given presentations to audiences ranging from local community and naturalist groups to university students, plus radio features, keynote addresses and a TEDx talk. He is the president of the Australian Wildlife Sound Recording Group, and on the board of the Australian Forum for Acoustic Ecology.