RAY AGGS

The 21st musician in residence was multi-instrumentalist songwriter Ray Aggs.

​

During Ray's residency they created an album of new folk songs and live show, premiered at Sounds from the Other City 2024. They developed a sonic identity using traditional songwriting techniques, fiddle, guitar, banjo, as well as incorporating elements of dance music, electronic drum machines and synthesisers. Using simple recording techniques, sampling and sequencing, Ray created and reclaimed a new type of exploded folk song.

​

During their time in Salford they ran a songwriting session for local people of colour (musicians and non-musicians). They improvised with voice, guitar and fiddle and meditated on the nature of aural tradition, shared ideas around ‘roots’ music, appropriation, belonging, identity and the black diaspora.

Ray delivered an artist talk on Decolonising Folk Music at the Working Class Movement Library. The talk deconstructed othering language such as ‘world music’ and expanded our idea of folk music beyond nationalistic and reductive concepts of origin and ownership. 

​

The residency ended with a joyous live performance at Working Class Movement Library as part of Sounds from the Other City.