Music featuring the atmospheric sounds of plants from the Eden Project’s Rainforest Biome forms part of composer/musician Alice Boyd’s debut EP. 

From The Understory will be released on streaming platforms and on eco-mix vinyl on Friday - the day before Earth Day, an annual celebration of environmental protection. 

Alice adds her voice to the many who call out for action on the climate crisis. Her music questions the separation of ‘human’ and ’nature’, and reminds us of the entanglement of life on earth, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.

The EP opens with Alice’s debut single, Separation, which brings the voices of Eden’s Rainforest plants to life, exploring our evolutionary journey and connection to the biosphere through a rich arrangement of vocals, electronics and analogue textures.

Alice spent a week in the Rainforest Biome as part of an artist residency, and used a hand-crafted Arduino device to record conductivity data, which fluctuates as water moves around the leaves. She ‘sonified’ this into music, using synthesisers to ‘voice’ variations in the data. This plant music is the foundation of the EP, appearing as the opening electronic bed in Separation and in intricate melodies heard on later tracks.

“After two and a half years of working on this project, I am so excited to share my debut EP,” said Alice. 

“The Eden Project’s support was invaluable to the process. The involvement of such an exciting organisation that actively highlights the interconnectedness of all living things felt like the perfect partnership for the message of my work.”

Eco-mix vinyls are produced using leftover coloured pellets from other vinyl runs. As the pellets are mixed together, this results in a randomised colour vinyl, meaning each record will have a unique look. This process cuts down on waste and can result in some impressive colours with hints of marbling. 

Alice’s Eden residency was part of the Eden Universe research project which explored how 5G technologies can increase online engagement and help connect people to each other and the living world. Eden created a range of digital experiences that were tested among different audience groups, including visitors, schools and care homes. 

As part of this Alice’s debut performance of From The Understory became the first-ever interactive live-streamed show at Eden. The event was supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, aql and Meta Camera. To present the performance, Eden and aql used 360˚ cameras to create an immersive experience which enabled Alice and her ensemble to connect to audiences across the world.

From The Understory will be available to listen to on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming sites from Friday, April 21. Eco-vinyl copies can be purchased via Alice’s website (www.aliceboyd.info) or her Bandcamp page.