Composition
Selected work in sound design, composition and string arranging
Releases (selection);
SUITE FOR SOLO VIOLIN AND SOFTWARE ABUSE - LP
In this collision of musical worlds, electronic musician and composer Bethany Ley carves out enough space and light for Kath Roberts’ violin to breathe amongst influences as diverse as birdsong, musique concrète and Indonesian Gamelan.
Suite for Solo Violin and Software Abuse is a collection of nine pieces which share a bedrock of atmospheric granular synthesis. This creates fertile ground for neo-classical violin to harvest some compelling and emotive melody.
Released on Slow Worm Records 2022 with plays from NTS Jazz Dis-Junction and BBC Unclassified.
THE_EVERYTHING_INBETWEEN - ALBUM
the_everything_inbetween is a homage to Bethany’s approach to sound design and production, classical composition and the Bristol Jazz scene - all of which have informed the sound in a unique way. Collaboration as a method for connection has fuelled the process ~ featuring a stream of influential musicians and friends from the local scene. Gelatinous synths conversing with classical harp, tarot jazz songs, and celestial fluorescent sound worlds.
Self released with plays from BBC Radio 6, BBC Bristol, BCfm, and more.
P=ARALLEL U=NIVERSE - EP
p=arallel u=niverse is an EP of solo music written, recorded and produced during the Coronavirus lockdown of 2020. Experimental, electrical soundworlds, parallel realities, twilight heartache, and falling through the cracks to the new future collective 1dent1ty. The project was also an intimate collaboration with artist Naomi Larh - resulting in a series of videos
Commissions (selection);
HUMBLE COURAGE - Composer
Composing the original soundtrack for a drone light show intricately weaving together a captivating narrative of human triumph over adversity, told from the deeply affecting perspective of individuals living with Muscular Dystrophy. Commissioned by Celestial and MDA (Muscular Dystophy Association), Premiered in New York May 2023.
Tales of Writhlington - In Counterpoint - Composer and Producer
‘Tales of Writhlington - In Counterpoint’ is a Sonic Art piece by Bethany Ley which contains 4 Movements exploring resident’s tales of Writhlington as a sonic collage. Each movement contains interviews on topics that range from from childhood anecdotes, school and church schedules, to nature, how it was to live in the pre-fabs, and thoughts on the future. Commissioned by Radstock City Council, Premiering in July 2024.
'Voices through the Portal'- Composer and Producer
Voices Through the Portal is a sound art piece fusing interviews and ideas from 'Thinking Futures' lead by Vivienne Kuh and Rebecca Gee with a musical response to the workshops by producer and vocalist Bethany Ley. The workshops took place in collaboration with Bristol Scrap Store where all the artists in attendance were invited to use Utopic theory to imagine a better future - with the intention of taking these ideas forward into their lives.
Funded by the Festival of Social Sciences in collaboration with Rising Arts Agency.
VISIONS OF LIGHT - harp, strings and vocalist
Working closely with Bristol experimental jazz collective and long term collaborator, Ishmael Ensemble to reveal their expansive new album "Visions Of Light". Praised by the likes of The Guardian, MOJO, The WIRE and tastemakers across BBC 6Music. This record sees the group reimagine what an ‘ensemble’ can do: expanding into a shifting collective, where human relationships between artists underpin far-ranging, stunningly ambitious and emotionally-heavyweight compositions.
TAMASENE, t l k, Binbag Wisdom, Young Waters - String Arranger
String arranging for string quartet with prestigious players to bring to life the music of Indie musician Tamasene - 'Hangin' in or hangin' out', neoclassical project t l k - 'Primed for Loss', hip-hop quartet Binbag Wisdom - 'Crud Life' and folk group Young Waters. Releases on Nice Guy Records, Autumn 2024 and Severn Songs Records.
Lux Cache
"Harpist and producer Bethany Ley releases conceptual sample library ‘LIQUID PORTAL ELECTRIC HARP’; one-shots and loops constructed from the raw, ethereal resonance of the electric harp. Drawing inspiration from the surrealism of dreams and the fluidity of water, reimaging new fluid timbral possibilities." Commissioned by Lux Cache for their online series via Patreon.