David Byrne, Courtesy of L-Acoustics for ‘The Art of Sound: Sound is Fundamental’ 

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has teamed up with L Acoustics, an industry leader in generating sound technology, and Black Meteor storytelling studio to create a new three-part documentary series, The Art of Sound, a fusion of scientific unveiling and artistic perception to present sound’s rudimentary role in human evolution and daily life. The first episode has dropped on YouTube and can be viewed below. 

Directed by Andrew Landcaster, the series begins with “Sound is Fundamental,” an episode that features insight from Byrne, as well as researchers Robyn Landau (Kinda Studios) and Dr. Erica Warp, as they uncover the primal connection between sound and the human experience. 

The episode uses the groundbreaking EEG research managed by L-Acoustics London to unveil how the brain and emotions respond to particular soundscapes and impact individual well-being. This is a pivotal insight considering that humans spend 90% of their lives in constructed acoustic environments. 

“It’s remarkable how much we can orient ourselves based on sound,” Byrne commented via press release. “We can’t close off our ears because that way, we can tell if something or someone is approaching. With your eyes closed, you can tell what kind of space you’re in, what kind of room you’re in, and what kind of landscape you’re in. I think sound probably affects us emotionally and physically. You can sense something you can’t see.”

Amber Mundinger, Global Director of Creative Engagement at L-Acoustics, added, “With the release of ‘The Art of Sound,’ we aim to take viewers on a journey that not only celebrates the artistic and scientific elements of sound but emphasizes its profound impact on our collective experience.”

“Sound is everywhere – it shapes our emotions, influences our well-being, and connects us as a community. As we explore how our relationship with sound influences everything from architecture to entertainment, we invite audiences to reflect on the often-overlooked power of this invisible force and its ability to bring us together,” she said. 

Watch the series trailer and episode one below.