Produced by Cryptic, Sonic Surroundings aims to give people a much-needed sense of space and freedom.
We launch with a captivating performance from Glasgow’s electro-pop goddess, Elisabeth Elektra, shot outdoors this summer in the Scottish Highlands.
This, and others, will be presented as part of Cryptic's audiovisual festival, Sonica Glasgow.
Sonic Surroundings will showcase Scotland’s spectacular scenery to international audiences. The project offers a moment of magic, a creative escape enabling our imaginations to soar, to re-imagine our connectivity and to travel.
We need your support to make Sonic Surroundings, a unique project aiming to bring people beauty, freedom, happiness and most of all, hope.
“Sonic Surroundings is such a dream project to be invited to participate in. I’ve always been interested in new ways people can experience live music, and the possibilities site-specific performances offer artists and audiences alike. My music is electronic but has many organic components and is very much inspired by nature and landscapes, so I’m really looking forward to being able to perform it in such incredible surroundings.” Elisabeth Elektra
Showcasing Elisabeth’s signature-style of “solid neon-streaked escapism” (The Quietus) against breath-taking backdrops, she will be filmed across a range of formats from hand-held and drone, to VR and full dome for you to enjoy across many platforms.
By contributing to Sonic Surroundings, you will also be supporting Cryptic’s commitment to talent development. Not only will Elisabeth receive a rare and truly unique opportunity to perform live in the Scottish Highlands, a whole host of artists and others working in the creative sector will benefit, including film-makers, photographers and visual artists.
Our rewards are tailored to suit many interests... is it the music that moves you? The tech that triggers you? Or the location that uplifts you? No matter how you choose to get involved, whether it be by donation, helping us to spread the word, or both – any and all levels of support are very gratefully received. Thank you.
ELISABETH ELEKTRA (Performer)
Glasgow’s Elisabeth Elektra delivers poignant, empowering, deeply melodic art-pop anthems. It is pop, whether bedroom or dancefloor, that is right at the heart of her work. She is a great believer in the power of transformation via art. Something spectacular, and something different... that’s the best way of describing her music. Elisabeth is a performer, song writer and producer drawing from the cosmic and the familiar to create pop music that’s as addictive and spine-tingling as the stories we’ve been telling for centuries.
In May 2020 she released her debut album Mercurial to widespread critical acclaim:
“Giddy electronic pop.” ☆☆☆☆ MOJO
“A haunting, odd gem.” ☆☆☆☆ RECORD COLLECTOR
“Stark, dramatic, crystalline.” ☆☆☆☆☆ METRO
CATHIE BOYD (Director)
Cathie has worked in the arts for 30+ years having spent 20 years as a stage director for opera, visual music and film, with work in 25+ countries including: Peak Performances, Montclair, USA; Singapore Arts Festival; Latvian National Opera; Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam and Southbank Centre, London. She set up Cryptic in 1994 to create innovative performances that would ‘ravish the senses’ and has successfully transformed the company into a producing art house, presenting the next generation of Scottish and international talent.
LOUISE MATHER (Film-maker)
Louise is a photographer and film-maker from Glasgow. She has been making films for Cryptic and other arts and educational institutions since 2011, in addition to a number of corporate enterprises including: The Digital Health & Wellbeing Institute, National Youth Orchestras of Scotland, BBC, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, Glasgow Life, 5pm.co.uk, Linn Records, Scottish Music Centre, Chess Telecoms, Italian Aroma Coffee, Glasgow School of Art, Strathclyde University & the University of Glasgow, Chamber Music Scotland, The Clydeside Distillery, Riverside Studios, Scottish Youth Theatre, Network Rail and a lot of lovely independent musicians.
TOMMY GA-KEN WAN (Reward photographer)
Tommy is a photographer based in Glasgow working primarily in theatre and film sets. At the age of 19, following a trip to Pakistan funded by the British Council, he began to work as a freelance photographer, and has undertaken a diverse range of projects, from working on film sets in Hong Kong and Paris to enabling local school pupils to produce an exhibition of their work and documenting the arts and nightlife scene in his home town.
BRIAN HARTLEY (Reward visual artist)
Brian is a Glasgow based artist whose work is a combination of visual art, photography and design. He creates visual work with drawing, painting and photography, and has exhibited nationally and internationally. He also designs for theatre and dance and has worked with a variety of companies including: The National Theatre of Scotland, Retina Dance Company, Starcatchers, Tabula Rasa, The Arches and Borderline.
CRYPTIC
Cryptic is a Glasgow-based, internationally renowned, not-for-profit music and arts company, presenting today’s most imaginative, innovative artists whilst also nurturing the creative talent of tomorrow. We create memorable experiences that engage and inspire our audiences, ‘ravishing the senses’ with multi-media performances that fuse music, sonic and visual art.
Sonica Glasgow is Cryptic's award-winning biennial festival of world-class audiovisual work. Sonica presents exceptional international musicians and artists alongside emerging Scottish talent in collaboration with renowned co-producers and venues.
See for yourself...
All money raised through this campaign will go towards...
Filming for Sonic Surroundings is currently planned to begin in summer 2021 and we will keep all of our supporters up to date as the project progresses.
If successful, the following rewards will be available in September:
- Elisabeth Elektra’s Quartz Crystals
- Sonica VR Glasses
- Sonica T-Shirt & Tote
- Personalised Handwritten Lyric Sheets from Elisabeth Elektra
- Elisabeth Elektra’s E-Tarot Card Readings
- Elisabeth Elektra’s Psychic Reading
- Elisabeth Elektra’s Personalised Song
- Tommy Ga-Ken Wan Landscape Photography
- Brian Hartley Hand-drawn Artwork
Sonica Glasgow 2022 Opening Night Tickets will be sent out four weeks prior to the festival.
All UK postage and packaging costs are reflected in the price of our rewards. For customers in the EU, there will be an additional charge of approx. £6 per item, and approx. £9 for those in other locations worldwide (Asia, Australia, USA etc.)
EU and non-EU supporters may be subject to additional VAT and duty charges payable in their country of residence for physical rewards purchased e.g. Crystals, T-Shirts or VR Glasses.
Thank you for your interest in, and support of Sonic Surroundings. You are enabling people across the globe to travel to unique locations to hear wonderful music set within stunning surroundings - everyone needs an escape.
Most importantly, your generosity allows us to give new, fully paid opportunities to a range of artists and others working in the creative industries at a time when the sector is facing unprecedented restrictions and challenges.
For now, we hope you can enjoy Sonic Surroundings from the comfort and safety of your own home, but we are also readying ourselves for the return of live festivals and events where this project will feature in future - see you soon!
We promise to contact all of our supporters personally, but if you have any enquiries in advance of making a donation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Sonic Surroundings is part of the Creative Scotland Crowdmatch - we are 1 of 20 shortlisted creative projects in Scotland - that have the opportunity to win a share of £75,000 in match funding, up to £10,000 per project.
Images: Marina Fini | Video: Louise Mather