“This issue of Writing Around Sound takes its cues from the past. In terms of a modern cliché, that means ‘another country’, but in reality the subject of this discussion is a whole continent of ‘past nations’. Where the clichéd analogy breaks down is that nations have more or less discrete territories, while traditions overlap and interpenetrate, they succeed and they decay in a multi-dimensional matrix that is simultaneously temporal, geographical, racial, social, religious, economic and gendered. That complexity and mutability is reflected in the diversity of contributions elicited here for our second issue.”
Bruce Russell is an improvising sound artist, who since 1987 has been a member of the Dead C. This genre-dissolving New Zealand trio mixes rock, electro-acoustics and noise. He has also been active as a solo artist, and directed two independent labels, Xpressway and Corpus Hermeticum. He writes essays and criticism for The Wire, artists’ catalogues, and other publications. In 2010 published Left-handed blows: writing on sound 1993-2009 (Auckland: Clouds), and in 2012 edited Erewhon calling: experimental sound in New Zealand (Auckland: Audio Foundation/cmr). He is currently studying at RMIT towards a doctorate in sound in the School of Art. During his spare time he manages the School of Art and Design at CPIT.