It looks like Sir David Attenborough is making a late-in-life career change, swooping into the realms of dance music collaborator.
The iconic broadcaster, known for his work documenting the natural world, has sent out a request for DJ’s to work on an archived recording of his.
Attenborough asked DJs to remix a field recording he made around 70 years ago in Bali.
The three-minute clip from the 1950s features sacred gamelan music and was caught on tape when Sir David was looking for a Komodo dragon for the 1954 BBC series, Zoo Quest.
The clip was initially intended for use as a background sound for the series, although most of the recordings didn’t make the cut until Attenborough mentioned them to Radio 4 producer Julian May.
Calling all remixers / producers / sound artists / music creators! We have just announced an opportunity to remix one of David Attenborough's field recordings and perform at the @SonglinesMag Music Award 2019 ceremony. For more info and to apply, go here> https://t.co/xETppixGPh pic.twitter.com/ZAjGcESVIw
— PRS Foundation (@PRSFoundation) May 8, 2019
Speaking to the BBC, the 93-year-old said: “The villagers play this concerted music with extraordinary precision and real zest, so it is haunting music that you hear every night – or you did in those days, in the villages of Bali.”
Sir David hopes that mixing the original recording with modern stylings will give the Indonesian music a new lease of life and renewed appeal for the younger generation.
Remix entries will be judged by a panel that includes Attenborough, Ghostpoet and Cerys Matthews.
After entrants are whittle down to six finalists, a winner will be chosen.
The competition is working in tandem with the PRS Foundation.
Photo via the BBC
