Montagsdemo

This is the first of my four recordings for the "Politics of Noise" Project of the MLU Halle-Wittenberg. Every monday, there is the "Montagsdemo" in Halle. I even believe it's a thing all over germany but I've only gotten it to know in Halle, which is why for me it's a sound experience very much unique to my time here. Almost every week, I come across the demo by accident, having forgotten already that it's taking place as I'm making my way through the city. In terms of the sound, passing it is quite an experience, both irritating and fascinating, sometimes funny and sometimes shocking. For me, it's somewhat the definition of political noise as in an irritation to the public norm, which creates social controversity and conflict. At the same time, it radiates a certain empowering energy and a sense of community and strength, which I would almost find myself pulled in by if I didn't disagree with the messages usually displayed by the Montagsdemo in Halle. Nonetheless, I think it's amazing that every group of people has the right and opportunity to stand up and be loud, to make noise and create this irritation as it is a platform of genuine engagement and political debate, in which all should be recognized. As with my other tracks uploaded here, I was working with a Soundman OKM Surround Microphone and my Zoom recorder to capture the sounds as closely to how I've experienced them live. This was a very intense experience as I was walking with the crowd for the most part, trying to simulate what it feels like to be part of this movement.