A host of local musicians have made instrumental contributions to the Bathurst Winter Festival's illuminations this year to offer the community an enhanced experience from their vehicles.
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One such contributor is Rob Shannon, who has brought his drumming expertise [tabla and darabukka] to instrumental accompaniments for illuminations at the Bathurst Court House and 173 George Street.
Shannon said the project emerged through a productive relationship with Esem Projects, who have designed the illuminations for the festival since its 2015 inception.
"I got to know Sarah [Barns] and Michael [Killalea] of Esem Projects through a mutual friend in Sydney, and we've had an association stemming back to when Arabesk [Shannon's former band] performed at the festival in 2015," he said.
"I've contributed soundbites and field recordings to the illuminations before, but this is the first time I've actually contributed complete musical contributions to the displays."
Shannon said his compositions adopt a strong Arabic/world music approach, and were all recorded in his home studio.
"It was a totally different job for me to write music for a light show, as much of my career as a musician has centred around live performance and recording albums," he said.
"Initially it was just a short piece for the Court House to team with the display's mathematical theme, which then grew into the trippy four-and-a-half minute acoustic piece for the buildings above Webb & Co."
Shannon said the compositions took around two months to produce, and formed part of a fruitful period of creativity during the COVID period.
"I've practically lived in my studio over the last few months, and I've produced more music than I have in years," he said.
"While the work has sadly dried up for creatives during COVID, it has encouraged more opportunity for creative expression."
For the list of illuminations and their accompanying soundscapes, visit www.bathurstwinterfestival.com.au.