angie eng

Traces of Our Roots, audio essay, 2024, 90 minutes.
An audio essay that weaves together field recordings, music, poetry, and soulful anecdotes from artists of Locke and those who spent years in this historical landmark town. For the full site-specific experience, download the entire 90-minute audio essay to your smartphone and walk around Locke while listening to the soundtrack. [ If you download to your iphone, the file automatically saves to a folder called ‘files.’]

Making of

I lived in Locke for 1 year from 2023-2024 to record the ambient sounds of the Delta and the stories of residents past and present. These recordings highlight the stories of local artists and the transition from Locke being a refuge for Chinese Americans driven out of nearby town Walnut Grove, and then an artist haven in the 1970s, to what it is today, a national landmark. Participants shared whatever story they wanted to offer to the world. It developed into an audio collage that echoes aspects of the human condition like loneliness, wonder, loss, lessons learned, and social connection.

Special Thanks to Al’s Place, Brock Alexander, Dave Bowles, Alex and Joyce Eng, Justin Cairns, Clarence Chu, Martha Esch, Erv Gon, , Larry Hall, Ning Hou, Tom Herzog, Jack Jue, Darwin and Lili Kan, Joy Kuo, Jan Zeboski, Corliss Suen Lee, Carol Lee, The Locke Foundation, Jeff Lee Kan, Kim King, Ronnie Maiden, Dustin Mar, Mark Miller, Alfredo Gochi,  Brandon Rankin, Sismombro,  Chris Spencer, The Pearl, Seeker, Martine and Lucia Topete, DR Wagner, Stuart Walthall, and Water Tower.

This project was funded by a 2023 California Arts Council Impact Grant in collaboration and sponsorship of the Locke Foundation.