im/modesty
A swirl of dream pop and storytelling by the Bangladeshi-Australian sound artist Shoeb Ahmad that explores the blooming of one’s inner sexuality, meditations on intimacy and exploration of personal relationships.
A composition inspired by her personal teenage experiences, Shoeb Ahmad - Sia in her daily life - explores the blooming of one’s inner sexuality, meditations on intimacy and exploration of personal relationships in im/modesty.
“im/modesty is a universal story,” says Sia. “It’s about being able to investigate that intersect between culture and sexuality and how we learn through these experiences. im/modesty touches upon having secrets, not because you want to have secrets, but because we feel like we're the only ones who understand how we're feeling. Not being able to engage properly with our peer groups.”
im/modesty was originally developed as a multi-speaker installation during a residency in Kerala, Southern India in 2016. Upon commission from the Australian Art Orchestra, the original installation was reworked into a 60 minute premiere as part of the Meeting Points series for small ensemble that uses a text narrative for three voices alongside Ahmad's trademark gentle dream pop and harsh noise influences to guide the listener through a psycho-geographic trip of one’s sub-continental heritage.
Credits
released November 16, 2020 by Flaming Pines
Sia Ahmad - electric guitar, voice, loops, harmonium, percussion
Australian Art Orchestra:
Aviva Endean - clarinets, percussion
Sunny Kim - voice, loops, percussion
Peter Knight - trumpet, Revox, laptop, voice, percussion
Maria Moles - drum kit, percussion
Tilman Robinson - four track, synths, pedals, harmonium, percussion
Recorded live by Jem Savage in the Potter Foyer,
Arts Centre Melbourne on 9 December 2018
Words & Music by Sia Ahmad
Mixed by Jem Savage with Peter Knight
Mastered by Simon Scott
Photos by Kate Ahmad
This performance was curated for the Australian Art Orchestra’s
Meeting Points series, with support from City of Melbourne