We Are Children (We Make Sound) is a collective of composer-performers which emerged in 2011 from composition classes at London’s ICMP. The group exists as a free spirit, with an ever evolving and revolving membership, at times inactive, at times coming together again. It meets to try out compositions by members and to explore experimental composition and processes. Originally formed and guided by Audrey Riley as an opportunity for composition students to try out their works,each of the group members now has an independent and strong musical path; however, they continue to meet to explore these ideas, to exchange, to listen, and to make sound.
The line-up is unusual: seven guitars, two basses, mandolin, drums and percussion, flute, clarinet, strings, piano, keyboards, vocals, and dubstep remixing. More new music ensemble than band, more rock than orchestra, they present minimal masterpieces, self-penned compositions and arrangements of well-known works; defying categorisation on a journey of exploration and experimentation.
During 2011/2012, the ensemble cut their teeth with performances of Reich, Bryars, Terry Riley, and emerging originals, hijacking the local pub in Kilburn, the Black Lion, and setting up in their restaurant. Memorable nights include being introduced by a rapper, playing Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint" to a pub so full that the audience couldn't get into the room, and a performance "Jesus Blood" silencing the washers up in the kitchen. The idea was not to win glory, but to share the sound with friends. Graduating to foyer performances at Kings Place and the QEH, they finally got their own stage, being invited by Ben Eshmade (Daylight Music/Arctic Circle) to play at Union Chapel. Quote Ben: “This is what I imagined a Daylight band might sound like.”
In the summer of 2012, they set out to record this music, resulting in the releases June 12 and Gaved. In November 2013, the recordings were made available on AR Records and through Rough Trade stores. The band celebrated the releases with a showcase concert early in 2014, promoted by Ben Eshmade at St Pancras Old Church.
Burroughs was composed by Gavin Bryars for We Are Children (We Make Sound) in 2014 and premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in October that year. The original project was a collaboration devised by Richard Strange, and funded by Arts Council England, and ICMP. The group subsequently recorded the piece, with sessions spanning 2015 to 2018, before the 2019 pandemic paused all activities. But after a 5 -year hiatus, the group has decided to reform, now led by Alastair Beveridge and Daniel Gaylard. Yhatol, recorded in 2018, was finally released in 2025. A huge improvisation project called Y will be released later this year, and the Bryars recording will finally be launched and celebrated with a London performance in June 2026.