‘The Black Winds’, Valerie Cameron's cautionary tale of environment collapse and displacement, written as the Californian bushfires raged. Robert Cumings has created a new arrangement of his original accompanying composition..
Gladsome Thong: The Black Winds‘The Black Winds’, Valerie Cameron's cautionary tale of environment collapse and global displacement, was written as the 2025 Californian bushfires raged. Valerie recites her haunting 8-chapter poem accompanied by a soundscape composed, and revised especially for these performances, by Robert Cumings.Contemporary beat poetry meets cut-up e(c)lectronica!Gladsome Throng, the coming together of Valerie’s poetry and voice with Robert’s music and sound production, is a truth to power exhortation and reminder of our shared humanity.
Valerie, a poet based in Gadigal country (Sydney) and previously in the United Kingdom, is a scientist and environmental activist.
Valerie uses her poetry to express political, environmental, social and personal concerns and sees her collaboration with Robert as an alchemical response to the state of the world.
Robert is a composer, musician and artist based in Bundjalung country (Lismore), northern NSW. He releases eponymous recordings and leads the jazz-noise band Actual Remains.Please note: this is a solo performance by Valerie. Her recitation is accompanied by a pre-recorded soundscape.https://gladsomethrong.bandcamp.com
https://robertcumings.bandcamp.com
https://actualremains.bandcamp.com
