London Unspooled: Sounds from the Strongrooms

The sonic history of London is slipping through our fingers. We possibly have less than 15 years to save a century of analogue audio recordings before degradation and the horrors of ‘sticky shed syndrome’ render them lost forever. London Metropolitan Archives is one of ten hubs across the UK supporting the digital preservation of half a million at-risk recordings as part of Unlocking Our Sound Heritage, which is led by the British Library.

Join us for an introduction to the project and some gems from the archive, from the authentic sounds of the Blitz to the music of the future circa 1976.

Robin Warren (Audio Preservation Engineer) and Kate O’Neill (Catalogue Editor) have been working on the project at LMA since October 2018. Robin is an audio engineer, field recordist and sound designer specialising in working with magnetic tape. With a background in radio production, he has produced numerous documentaries for BBC Radio, Resonance FM, and a sound design for the LMA’s ‘Under Ground London’ exhibition. Alongside cataloguing audio material from LMA collections and other contributors, Kate has a keen interest in oral history, and joins the team having worked with the London County Council photography collection for the Layers of London project.

Advance booking is essential. Please book your place through Eventbrite or by telephoning Alex Fisher (AfL Secretary) on 020 7594 8818.

Free for AfL members, £6 for non-members.

Wednesday 22nd May 2019, 18.00 – 19.30 (doors open at 17.30)
Huntley Room, London Metropolitan Archives.