Sound • Music • Place • Culture

​

I am a London and Tokyo-based broadcaster, curator, sound artist and creative director working at the intersection of sound, music, place and culture.

​

For more than 30 years, I have worked across broadcasting, music curation, sound design, research and cultural strategy - exploring how sound can shape the way people experience places, connect with culture and better connect to the world around them.

​

Through MSCTY, the platform I founded in 2010, I work with brands, cities, cultural organisations, architects, researchers, artists and musicians to create distinctive sonic experiences, cultural programmes and strategies.

​

My work ranges from soundscapes and spatial audio to music curation, broadcasting, field recording, live experiences and research into sound and wellbeing.

​

MSCTY

​

MSCTY began as an exploration of the relationship between sound and place, working with cities and locations around the world to create site-specific music and sound experiences.

​

Over the past 16 years, this has developed into a broader creative practice connecting music, sound, culture, technology, environments and people.

​

MSCTY projects have included soundtracks for cities and destinations, public-space interventions, installations, workshops, sound walks, radio programmes, live events and collaborations with artists, architects, designers, universities and global brands.

​

The aim is simple: to use sound to make places and experiences more distinctive, meaningful and engaging.

​

What I do

​

Sound & Cultural Strategy

​

I help organisations understand how sound and music can become part of their identity, environment and communication - from sonic identity and music programming to broader cultural strategies.

​

Sound & Place

​

I create soundscapes, spatial audio experiences and site-specific works for buildings, hotels, public spaces, destinations and cities.

​

Music & Cultural Programming

​

I curate artists, music and listening experiences for brands, festivals, cultural organisations and venues - creating programmes that connect audiences with people, places and ideas.

​

Research & Wellbeing

​

I collaborate with scientists, universities and technology partners to explore the relationship between sound, environment, perception and wellbeing. Current and recent research has included work with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), Sony CSL and the University of Tokyo, exploring how sound can help us understand and influence human and environmental wellbeing.

 

Broadcasting & Media

​

My background as a broadcaster, producer and music curator provides a direct connection to audiences and international music culture.

​

I have worked with BBC Radio 3, BBC 6 Music, BBC World Service, XFM, InterFM, Tokyo FM, Dublab.jp and Monocle Radio, where I currently present Tokyo Music Hour, exploring Japanese music and culture.

​

I have also worked as Chief Music Editor at iTunes and as an A&R consultant, playlist curator and album compiler for British and Japanese record labels.

​

Sound, music and listening

​

My work has always moved between music and sound.

​

I am interested in the space between the two: the way music can create a sense of place; how environmental sound can influence mood and behaviour; how listening can connect people to their surroundings; and how technology can create new ways of experiencing sound.

​

This has led to projects ranging from field recordings and spatial sound installations to music programmes, festivals, radio, research and experimental listening environments.

​

I often work as a sonic mediator - bringing together artists, scientists, technologists, communities, brands and cultural organisations around sound.

​

Japan

​

Tokyo is now the main base for my work and Japan is an important source of inspiration, research and collaboration.

My work here connects Japan's extraordinary music and listening culture with wider questions around sound, cities, technology, environment and wellbeing.

​

This includes collaborations with universities and research institutions, sound and cultural projects, public programmes and ongoing work with artists, brands and organisations across Japan.

 

Japan is not simply a subject of my work. It is a place from which new ideas about sound and listening can emerge and connect internationally.

​

Work with me

​

I work on projects ranging from focused creative commissions and music curation to longer-term cultural, sonic and research partnerships.

​

Depending on the project, I can work as:

​

Creative Director · Sound Strategist · Curator · Broadcaster · Sound Artist · Research Collaborator · Producer

​

I bring together a combination of international broadcasting and music expertise, deep knowledge of Japanese music and culture, sound practice, research experience and an extensive creative network.

​

If you are developing a place, brand, cultural programme, research project or experience where sound could play a more important role, I'd be interested to hear from you.

​

Nick Luscombe
London / Tokyo

Founder & Creative Director, MSCTY

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​