Strange Sonars

2017
Linda Dusman & Alan Wonneberger

Write Dusman and Wonneberger, “Strange Sonars (2017) is a collaborative work designed to incorporate into its sonic palette during broadcast the natural sounds and characteristics of shortwave transmission. As sonar is used underwater to detect potential dangers, Strange Sonars pulses slowly through the air of organ pipes against a sonic backdrop of presidential oaths of office—voices of men granted via democratic elections extraordinary potential for good or evil. Mixed especially for shortwave using a single cone speaker, these presidential voices initially are reminiscent of a de-tuned shortwave sideband, bending in and out of the organ “sonar” blasts as a warning of potentially dangerous political waters.”