Itinerant Distiller
Documentary and acousmatic sound creation by Benoit Bories
Versions: Stereo (radio and podcast) and 14.1 multichannel for live performance

Productions: Le Labo RTS Culture and Faïdos Sonore
With the support of: DRAC Occitanie, Tarn-et-Garonne Arts et Cultures, and La Cuisine, art and design center

Synopsis

Marc has been familiar with the profession of itinerant distiller since childhood, when he would occasionally accompany his parents on distillation tours. Today, he works in his workshop for local residents but spends much of his time traveling with his stills across the region. For decades, his stops have remained the same, allowing him to build strong connections and maintain long-term relationships with the farmers for whom he distills. Each stop is an opportunity for Marc to catch up on news and gather new stories. When pieced together, these anecdotes form a sound map of the realities of a rural world that Marc has known intimately since birth.

This sound creation is available in a stereo version for radio and podcast, as well as in concert form. During live performances, the audience is immersed in the piece, surrounded by eight speakers placed in a circle and six others dispersed around the venue to allow the work to resonate fully within the space. The first performance took place at the La Cuisine contemporary art center on September 18, 2021.