for FAQ & FUQ page:

What is sound art?

Unlike music, Sound Art is the aural equivalent of cinema, painting, theater, sculpture, and literature. “Sound art” as a term has been variously dated to 1974, 1979, and 1982. Since then artists have taken the genre in a variety of directions. Reframing the act of listening, works and performances explore the progression of sound from hearing to experience.

Isn't music sound art? So, what's the difference?
While music tends to have structure based on cultural practice and convention, sound art tends to be conceptual and personal. Sound art frequently expresses through more than one medium such as installation, sculpture, performance art, or synesthetic experience.

Sound art has more in common with experimental music than traditional music. Many modern art music, ambient, experimental, musique concrète, drone, and noise practices overlap or share commonalities with sound art .

However, music is characterized by the elements and hierarchical use of pitch, melody, rhythm, tempo or meter.

Note that work may examine the interface on which music and sound art overlap or juxtapose musical content with sound to help further express the differences and tensions relative to aesthetics and ways of listening.

For Participating and Interested Artists

Any advice if I am new at this sound art thing?
Google “sound art” and start researching it. If some of the language or concepts seem hard to understand, that’s totally ok. Figure out what listening, hearing, and sound mean to you. It’s ok to riff off of ideas that you may not completely get. Or you can keep it simple. Creative process frequently is about making the wrong answer right or the right answer wrong. We appreciate risk taking and experimentation. If you have questions, always feel free to reach out and brainstorm (Marco, artist liaison, 562 413 5868). If you do submit as a new or aspiring soundster, it’s your safest bet to propose roaming or outdoor work or to submit to the virtual event.

As an onsite artist, what should I bring besides my materials?
We advise that, in addition to your gear, you bring extra cords, power strips, duct tape, lighting fixtures (e.g. clamp lights), etc. It is a good idea to bring a friend/helper should you need to run an errand or wish to tour the event and do not want to leave your site unattended. Of course, we will let you know, upon acceptance of your work, if you will need a generator (if there are no power outlets reachable by extension cords).

Can I submit to more than one soundpedro program? On-site, as well a virtual programs?
Absolutely! That is an option all artists. Submit a separate proposal to your selected program(s) for consideration by the soundpedro panel.

What if I fail to follow guidelines?
If the curatorial panel deems the work has merit, we may use it somewhere in either the onsite or online programs. You will be informed by the notification date for each category.

Do artists get paid?
When we are onsite, we are sometimes able to provide accommodations or offer small honoraria for artists traveling from out of town (200+ miles). Know that soundpedro is not a ticketed event. We are happy to write letters of support to artists who are applying for grants.

How is soundpedro promoted?
FLOOD and Angels Gate Cultural Center promote soundpedro on their websites, newsletters, social media, and through word of mouth.

For Visitors to the On-site Event

As a visitor, what should I bring to soundpedro?
Something warm like a jacket since it can be cold and windy. As strange as it may “sound” (HAR! HAR! HAR!), ear plugs are a good idea. Some works can get loud. Those of us who work as musicians and audio engineers always keep a pair handy in the interest of keeping our “ears clean”.

Is it kid friendly?
Definitely. On a couple of occasions, we did place a sign with a warning. Sometimes pieces are specifically designed for children.

How can I learn more about an artist or piece?
We have full artist bios and info about the pieces on this website. We also have archives of previous years.

Is there somewhere to eat near soundpedro?
Food trucks attend the event. If you have a food truck and you would like to sell food at soundpedro please contact Angels Gate Cultural Center. When soundpedro is held onsite at Angels Gate, please note that it takes place over a large area so you might consider bringing water and snacks.

About FLOOD

Who puts on soundpedro?
FLOOD is a group of artists and academics, with a fluid roster of members over the years. We try not to draw too much attention to ourselves and prefer to focus on the artists that we feature in our events. Learn about the members of FLOOD.

If I want to donate to soundpedro?
soundpedro is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, so please feel free to make a donation at a personal or corporate level. Each donation is tax deductible and we can provide our tax ID and a letter for tax purposes. You can Donate here: https://www.soundpedro.org/donate

Have there been other FLOOD events?
Yes, we had an event in 2017 called PUMP which featured, in addition to sound art, performance art, dance, sculptures, installation art, VR, and tactile art. It functioned as a conduit of multi-sensory experiences that communities had the opportunity to encounter. We produced SoundWalk from 2003 to 2013.

What was Long Beach SoundWalk?
SoundWalk was a sound art event presented annually by the Long Beach artist group, FLOOD, from 2003 to 2013. The evening operated under the concept of a one-night experience as encountered in various indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach. Through an array of practices and procedures, the artwork linked the auditory with visual, tactile, and other sensory systems. There were sculptures, environments, installations, both interactive and passive, as well as presentations, by sound artists with timed performances, that were scheduled during the course of the evening. soundpedro continues the exploration.