Two Fingers Pointing to the Moon, Part 1 by Xander Simmons

Two Fingers Pointing to the Moon is an enhanced audiobook where narrative is intertwined with music and sound design to create an immersive storytelling experience. In this project, music takes on more than just a supportive role and is integral to the telling of the story.

The action takes place at a secluded spiritual community in the north of England, following two young lovers who have decided to deepen their meditation practice in order to better navigate the traumas of their pasts. However, the retreat turns out to be less benign than it first appeared and the lovers' bond, as well as their very sense of self, soon starts to disintegrate. It is only the sounds and music that they hear around them that offer them a way out. But perhaps it is already too late.

Designed for listening on headphones.

Written, composed and produced by Xander Simmons.

Piano: Xander Simmons and Laurie Sévigny-Couture
Kitchen percussion: Xander Simmons
Vocals: Kate Markle and Catalina Galan Vargas

Album artwork: Zoé Fauvel (www.zoefauvel.com)

Special thanks to Naada Yoga Studios (www.naada.ca) who graciously allowed me to come into their studio and record their many singing bowls, as well as their shruti box.

I am also indebted to the following sound artists from freesound.org, whose excellent quality recordings were invaluable in creating an immersive soundscape experience when I didn’t have the time or resources to do all my own Foley. (Only the link is listed due to 4000-character max. length. of this description.)

freesound.org/people/Robinhood76/sounds/69300/
freesound.org/people/14GSionJ/sounds/419387/
freesound.org/people/Anantich/sounds/318316/
freesound.org/people/miguelab1998/sounds/408595/
freesound.org/people/musicradiocreative/sounds/197104/
freesound.org/people/JakLocke/sounds/261298/
freesound.org/people/kevp888/sounds/440120/
freesound.org/people/crowcube2/sounds/405300/
freesound.org/people/postworkflow/sounds/360649/
freesound.org/people/gropkcor/sounds/392233/
freesound.org/people/KenzieVaness/sounds/352050/
freesound.org/people/pcaeldries/sounds/65813/
freesound.org/people/suhral/sounds/346155/
freesound.org/people/AlienXXX/sounds/151346/
freesound.org/people/waxsocks/sounds/456526/
freesound.org/people/ViaTorci/sounds/66790/
freesound.org/people/shelbyshark/sounds/466608/
freesound.org/people/Ligidium/sounds/193832/
freesound.org/people/Zabuhailo/sounds/214082/
freesound.org/people/kyles/sounds/455762/
freesound.org/people/Kyster/sounds/136294/
freesound.org/people/sons_pt/sounds/255522/
freesound.org/people/milnersouza/sounds/338356/
freesound.org/people/WilliamJMeyer/sounds/465676/
freesound.org/people/InspectorJ/sounds/485076/
freesound.org/people/JonathanTremblay/sounds/254802/
freesound.org/people/RICHERlandTV/sounds/232358/
freesound.org/people/lebaston100/sounds/243628/
freesound.org/people/florianreichelt/sounds/460509/
freesound.org/people/Martin.Sadoux/sounds/423510/
freesound.org/people/Lydmakeren/sounds/510485/
freesound.org/people/ancorapazzo/sounds/181627/
freesound.org/people/Tuben/sounds/161389/
freesound.org/people/venaportae/sounds/272177/
freesound.org/people/kevp888/sounds/466270/
freesound.org/people/LampEight/sounds/277155/
freesound.org/people/bigmanjoe/sounds/427307/
freesound.org/people/loopbasedmusic/sounds/157486/
freesound.org/people/CaganCelik/sounds/453376/
freesound.org/people/leonelmail/sounds/427861/
freesound.org/people/InSintesi/sounds/353071/
freesound.org/people/widosub/sounds/509181/
freesound.org/people/BeeProductive/sounds/395622/
freesound.org/people/LG/sounds/73109/ freesound.org/people/LG/sounds/73110/
freesound.org/people/LG/sounds/73111/
freesound.org/people/brainwaves8/sounds/216004/
freesound.org/people/DJPhizz/sounds/52378/
freesound.org/people/ultradust/sounds/167515/