In The Sound Sniffer

The Sound Sniffer

The innovative dynamic of this project and its ability to attract intrigue (especially mine) is totally groundbreaking. Fusing the power of music creators and the world of journalism together – the project successfully draws the listener’s attention out of the streaming platforms and onto a larger movement outlining important global issues.

The Sound Sniffer

Observing the diverse, varied and innovative way that each musician tackled the project was eye-opening. Each one of them stamped their own mark on the sound effects at their disposal and made some truly inspiring songs. I hope this feature sheds light on the incredible work they have done.

The Sound Sniffer

This project appealed to us as it was a different way for us to make music, it wasn’t quite a remix but it was somewhere new in between.

The Sound Sniffer

It was a cool way to compose, knowing that it was to be a soundtrack piece for the project’s narrative and imagery.

Poolz in The Sound Sniffer

The overall idea of the project is great as it is such an important cause. It is raising awareness to issues that are good for the world, so I was instantly interested.

Miscél in The Sound Sniffer

It was amazing to actually read something and at the same time think of ways to make music that would fit it.

Roger Molls in The Sound Sniffer

The main idea was to play on the contrast between the fluid and vacillating aspect of the sea and the well-defined and closed side of a border.

The Sound Sniffer

This felt like the first time that I was invited to take part in a project outside of my own music. It was based around something that I don’t usually write about, a topic that was very poignant. That’s why I got involved.

Winner of the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism

The Journalism behind the Music

All music in this project is based on The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times Best-Selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. This reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships and other topics.

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