I'm proud to announce the release of the first track of my new project A Sonic Slice of Life: Karlstad City Bus.
When I returned to Sweden for a visit in 2021 I decided to revisit and record some of the journeys and modes of transportation of my childhood. Karlstad City Bus represents one of those journeys. The roughly 19 minutes long original audio is the entirety of the bus ride from the bus stop just steps from my mother's house to the city square of central Karlstad, Sweden. In its mundane simplicity, this particular bus ride was always a meditative journey. It was never a journey of anxiety but rather one of hope and possibilities. Sometimes it was a matter of freedom, the ability to get on a bus and spend time around town alone or with friends. Occasionally it was merely the beginning of a journey, a means to reach the train station in order to go somewhere entirely different.
It is a beautiful journey as well, snaking its way alongside the river, dipping in and out of quaint suburban neighborhoods, then finally coming to a stop at the historic Karlstad town square - a central part of my childhood. A predictable ride lined with comfort and wandering thoughts.
So please, visit asonicsliceoflife.com to listen to and travel with me on Karlstad City Bus.
As always, all songs released as a part of the project A Sonic Slice of Life are available to stream for free on the website. If you want to download the track there is an optional donation available as well, if you feel so inclined.
With Love and Squalor,
Afton Light, 2022