On January 18th we posted an Aside about a new music CD called ‘Music and Migration’ on the ‘Second language‘ label. Put together by Martin Holm of BirdLife Denmark to raise awareness of BirdLife’s critically-important ‘Born to Travel‘ campaign, the 21 exclusive tracks are “a showcase for the finest in contemporary post-classical composition, idiosyncratic folksong and pastoral soundscaping”. On January 22 2010 Norman Records made it their album of the week , calling ‘Music and Migration’ a “stunning CD” and saying that “There’s some stunning pieces of music on this album and if you’re into the neo classical, post-rock or the more sound art adventurous side of things then you’ll love this.” Intriguing, is the word that comes to mind (my mind anyway…).

Fortunately, too, Martin’s English is far better than my Danish, and what follows is (IMHO) articulate and very thought-provoking (and I hope Martin comes over as the extremely friendly guy I spoke to). I think I have another conservation hero to add to my growing list…

Charlie: Martin, thankyou very much for talking with 10,000 Birds. Before we start talking about the music and the CD can I just make something clear first: ‘Music and Migration’ is not a BirdLife project, is it?

• Martin: No, I work for BirdLife Denmark and I’m part of the ‘Born to Travel’ campaign team, but ‘Music and Migration’ is a personal project. I came up with it to raise awareness of the ‘Born to Travel’ campaign, but there was no specific input from BirdLife. They are very happy with the initiative of course.

Charlie: The ‘Born to Travel’ campaign is obviously very important to you.

• Martin: Absolutely. So many of Europe’s migratory birds are in decline, and I really fear that without campaigns like ‘Born to Travel’ we’ll wake up one Spring and our so-called ‘common’ migrants will be gone. Imagine Europe without Cuckoos, Swifts, White Storks…we can’t allow that to happen.

Charlie: I couldn’t agree more Martin and that sets the theme for this interview perfectly. We’ll look again at the ‘Born to Travel’ campaign as the interview progresses, but let’s turn to the ‘Music and Migration’ CD. Can I take it as read that you’re a big music fan?

• Martin: Most definitely. I got into music in the early 80s - the Factory sound for example and early Detroit techno - and I’ve been passionate about music ever since. Actually I’d say that music and birds/conservation are the two big passions in my life.

Charlie: Had you been thinking for a while how to merge the two interests?

• Martin: Yes, I had, but I couldn’t see how until I came up with the idea for ‘Music and Migration’. Migration is so inspirational I thought it would make a great theme for a collection of tracks.

Charlie: You came up with quite a collection! There are 21 tracks on the album: how did you go about getting so many artists interested?

• Martin: I just asked them! I knew some of the musicians and bands already and I explained what I wanted to do, and they liked the idea of the cause. As the idea developed the project actually came together quite quickly.

Charlie: ‘Just asked them’. That’s an approach we all ought to try…Did any of the people you asked say ‘no’, by the way?

• Martin: Actually, just one. I’m sure he had a good reason, but everyone else was very happy to become involved.

Charlie: And none of the musicians asked for payment?

• Martin: No, all the tracks were contributed for free and in fact some were composed specially for the CD which is fantastic.

Charlie: That’s great. Were any of the musicians/band-members you contacted birders or naturalists anyway, Martin?

• Martin: There is at least one keen birder and quite a few who are more general naturalists, but you know everyone has a story about birds to tell. I remember some of them telling me about driving home suffering from a headache after a gig and hearing birds singing. It made them feel better. You asked me how I got so many people interested: I think many people are already interested in birds, you just need to find a way to get them involved - you need to use a language they speak, if you know what I mean…

Charlie: So talk to musicians about producing music in other words?

• Martin: Exactly, yes. It might sound obvious but conservationists are not always actively approaching people to help out with campaigns. We need to ask them the right way…using the right language at the right time.

Charlie: Talking of which, you’re quoted on the ‘Second language’ website saying that musicians “do seem to have a particular affinity” with birds. I interviewed Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg last year. He’s a birder and he said something very interesting about birdsong: “Everybody needs birdsong, I think, whether they know it or not. Don’t you find that the more species of birds you can hear, the happier you are?” Do you think there’s something about birdsong that particularly interests or appeals to musicians?

• Martin: Oh absolutely. When you listen to many of the contemporary composers out there who are into field recordings and the more organic side of things, you’ll hear sampled and processed bird songs in so many tracks. It’s always been like this I reckon - when you think about it, bird song IS music - I mean, what can possibly beat the rock solid groove of a Chiffchaff on a morning in Spring!?

Charlie: The CD’s been out for a few months now, and the work to get it that far must have been exhausting. When we spoke on Skype you still sounded very enthusiastic though?

• Martin: Oh, yes. It’s been quite overwhelming but a great experience.

Charlie: And sales have gone very well so far.

• Martin: Yes. The first run of ‘Music and Migration’ has sold out already and it was made Album Of The Week on an influential online record store called Norman Records. I also just found out that an Australian radio played tracks from it, and it’s been reported on many music blogs and net radios. Also, BirdLife ran a feature on their website - and now of course it’s on 10,000 Birds…

Charlie: Which will make all the difference, Martin, of course…

• Martin: I’ll let you know Charlie!

Charlie: Thankyou! We’ve not really spoken about the ‘Second Language‘ record label which released ‘Music and Migration’ yet Martin. You founded ‘Second Language’ with friends in London. Had you wanted to set up a record label for a while or was it something that ‘just came about’.

• Martin: Second Language has been set up by musician Glen Johnson of Piano Magic, musician/writer and Brian Eno biographer David Sheppard and myself. Besides being friends, we share a common love for music, and setting up a label is a good excuse for listening to new and exciting sounds.

  ‘Music & Migration’ found a natural home here among great artists such as Textile Ranch, Dollboy and Plinth.

Charlie: You mentioned earlier how overwhelming the experience has been personally. Has the label become a little overwhelmed with this release also? I only ask because of the work that goes into each release: for example you talk on the ‘Second Language’ website about how much attention is “given to its luxurious, hand-tooled, recycled packaging”.

• Martin: Yes, I don’t think any of us could anticipate the feedback we have received. It’s amazing and highly encouraging. We are handmaking each individual CD because we believe in the “tactile” side of music: the presentation and the artwork which to us are equally important. To me, actually choosing to put on a specific album and sit down with the cover is much more rewarding than turning on an Ipod or computer and just let it play for hours. That is also why you won’t see a Second Language release as a download.

Charlie: You also say that all ‘Second Language’ albums are released in very limited editions - “Once a Second Language record has sold out it’s really gone forever“. Obviously you’ll want to sell as many copies as possible, so I assume that for ‘Music and Migration’ at least that’s one rule you’re going to bend?

• Martin: Well, due to the phenomenal demand for Music & Migration we have actually decided to press up a second run, but when those are gone that will be it, as we are a label that deals with “exclusive releases in limited runs” and we will to stick to that.

Charlie: Are you planning a second ‘Music and Migration’-style CD?

• Martin: I’d like to follow up Music & Migration at some point, yes, but I don’t know in which way yet. One thing is certain though, we won’t just put out a “volume 2″ at some point. It needs to evolve into something else. But Music & Migration aside we have some really great releases coming out over the next months.

Charlie: Turning to the ‘Born To Travel’ campaign, Martin, when we spoke I asked you just how far you think the concept of ‘Music and Migration’ could develop. For example the bands on the album are for example from the UK, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Spain…all countries on the European Flyways. You said that you could imagine the possibility of setting up concerts with the BirdLife partners in these countries to promote ‘Born To Travel’ and the wonder of migration…

• Martin: Yes. Ultimately I’d love to see Music & Migration turn into something concrete and concerts along the flyways would be a way of not only celebrating the wonder of migration - but also to expose the importance of preserving this spectacle of nature to people who perhaps otherwise wouldn’t think about it in this way.

Charlie: Do you think that ‘Music and Migration’ could ever become part of BirdLife’s official strategy for protecting migrant birds?

• Martin: Yes, I suppose it’s possible, and BirdLife already recognizes the need to campaign for migratory birds. It would take a lot of organizing of course, and someone would need to take on an official role in running it…

Charlie: The potential to reach a whole new audience in Europe seems to me to be huge.

• Martin: I think so. And beyond Europe of course; as our migratory birds move along the African-Eurasian flyway so it is important that we take care of them outside of Europe as well.

Charlie: Using musicians to reach young people especially, to tell the story about migration and the threats to migratory birds in a new way - or at least in a way that conservationists find it really hard to do - could be very important?

• Martin: Absolutely. Many young people are into conservation already of course, but many aren’t, and as I said before if we’re to succeed in enlightening a new generation about the need for conservation, about how our common birds are disappearing, it’s crucial we speak their language. Musicians can do that. They’re popular, they’re seen as being cool. So if musicians are talking about birds and migration, I think their fans will become interested too. People support what they relate to, and many young people relate to the musicians they listen to.

Charlie: So if you could reach some of the really big musicians who are known to be birders or at least ‘green’, get them involved in ‘Music and Migration’ or ‘Born to Travel’, you could really have a huge impact…

• Martin: It’s an exciting thought isn’t it…

Charlie: It really is, Martin, it really is. Thankyou very much for talking with us, and if there’s anything we here at 10,000 Birds can do to help you achieve your aim please don’t hesitate to ask.

• Martin: Many thanks to you Charlie and to 10,000 Birds for the invaluable support! We’re so happy and grateful for your interest in Music & Migration and through that for the support to BirdLife International and the Born To Travel campaign. So thank you again very much.

About Born to Travel (from BirdLife International news):

More than 40% of migrant birds passing between Africa, the Middle East and Europe, have declined in the last three decades. Of these 10% are classified by BirdLife as Globally Threatened or Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

“Every year, migratory birds brave mountains, oceans, deserts and storms on their journeys to survive”, said Dr Marco Lambertini - CEO of BirdLife International.

“Their epic flights connect us all - crossing our borders, cultures and lives. However, we are destroying the habitat they need to rest and re-fuel, building hazardous structures such as powerlines which cross their path, and illegally shooting and trapping them.”

In response to these worrying declines, BirdLife International has launched the Born to Travel Campaign to protect migratory birds along the African-Eurasian flyway.

“There is no better moment then the first day of the northern spring to celebrate the arrival of migratory birds from Africa, and for BirdLife to announce our Born to Travel campaign to improve the conservation of these amazing trans-continental travellers”, added Dr Lambertini.

The rather beautiful ‘Born to Travel’ homepage is at: http://www.borntotravelcampaign.com/ (the image/text in the inset right was taken from the BTT website).