Grand River

The world of electricity has long sought to emulate the sounds of natural phenomena, through the use of filters to modulate white noise, pedals and effects units, or by manipulating recording tape — however, there are also artists who delve into the real world, coming face-to-face with its forces and elements. Aimée Portioli, also known as Grand River, is one of these bold and methodical figures, and “Tuning the wind” is a perfect example of the balance her music strikes between the natural and the artificial, by combining the chirping of birds with the trilling of synthesizers and the howling of the wind with digital humming. The result is a vivid sonic image that gradually grows to an overwhelming climax, leaving us feeling as helpless characters engulfed by a powerful storm and wondering: where does this wind come from?