Nikki Silva in interview with Dr Hamish Sewell

Audio storytelling transforms physical environments into immersive, storied landscapes, particularly through the medium of site-specific audio walks. The Sonic Memorial Project, a collaborative effort following the 9/11 attacks, illustrates how archival audio and personal testimonies create a meditative space that honors the history and human relationships tied to a specific location. Nikki Silva, a veteran documentarian and member of The Kitchen Sisters, argues that these projects offer a "side door" into complex histories, inviting listeners to slow down and engage with authentic, unmediated human voices. By connecting sound to geography—whether at a memorial site, a historic tannery, or along indigenous songlines—producers activate deep ancestral and community memories. This approach prioritizes genuine, lived authority over the speed and efficiency of modern digital media, fostering a profound, embodied connection between people and the places they inhabit.