The Individual Creating Melodies with the Beyond-Human Realm

Cosmo Sheldrake is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist.

What if forests, waterways, and wildlife were regarded as more than mere resources? This idea has been thoughtfully explored since Prof. Christopher Stone proposed in a 1972 issue of the Southern California Law Review that trees should possess legal rights. Today, this concept is gaining momentum, with advocates calling for the more-than-human world to be granted legal protection, a voice in decision-making, and recognition for its inherent creativity. Could this gentle revolution finally be blossoming?

In this mini-series, we highlight five initiatives that are fostering positive change across the globe. First, we immerse ourselves in the nature-inspired music of Cosmo Sheldrake.

A skylark and a cow may not seem like typical rave innovators, yet to musician Cosmo Sheldrake, their sounds evoke visions of joyful dance. “The skylark was singing, and it just sounded like liquid drum and bass: terrifyingly fast drum and bass,” recalls Sheldrake, remembering the moment 13 years ago when his peaceful afternoon nap was gently disrupted by birdsong. “There was a cow doing a deep ‘moo’, and everything harmonized in my mind, creating this wild rave.”

Since that inspiring moment, Sheldrake has cultivated a reputation for weaving the sounds of nature into his work. By creatively manipulating samples captured on a field recorder, he shines a light on the enchanting energy of wild spaces and the more-than-human world.

His *Wake Up Calls* album is a heartfelt composition entirely crafted from recordings of endangered British birds such as the bittern, cuckoo, and nightingale. Likewise, his ocean tribute, *Wild Wet World*, features the gentle spluttering of coral reefs and the melancholic song of blue whales.

Recognizing nature as a collaborator in his artistic journey, rather than merely drawing from its well of sound, Sheldrake generously donates half of his royalties to conservation efforts. However, one recent collaboration has deepened this ethos concerning nature’s rights.

After composing a song with contributors, including writer Robert Macfarlane, using sounds gathered high in Ecuador’s Los Cedros cloud forest, Sheldrake finds himself at the heart of a legal initiative to have this vibrant ecosystem acknowledged as a co-creator of the work.

During his visit to Los Cedros, protected by a significant rights of nature ruling designating the forest as a legal entity, Sheldrake gathered with César Rodríguez-Garavito, founder of the More Than Human Life (MOTH) project, and field mycologist Giuliana Furci. Around a cozy campfire, Sheldrake explored samples of howler monkeys, toucan barbets, and bats, while Macfarlane contributed with poetic verses.

“To genuinely listen to a healthy ecosystem is quite profound. It’s a massive, rich sonic tapestry,” reflects Sheldrake. “Everything harmonized high up in this cloud forest, with field recordings, Rob’s words, and melodies that appeared like whispering leaves.”

The result was *Song of the Cedars*, and MOTH has petitioned Ecuador’s copyright office to officially recognize Los Cedros’ moral authorship. If achieved, it may set a world-first precedent, with a portion of the streaming income directed toward conservation efforts for the forest’s future.

“To really listen to a healthy ecosystem is remarkable,” shares Sheldrake. “It’s a magnificent tapestry of sound. I hope *Song of the Cedars* can inspire others to embrace the notion of more-than-human creativity.”

Explore more of Sheldrake’s enchanting work on Hotnchill, where the beauty of nature and sound converge.

Main image: Jack Thompson-Roylance