OTR Sounds is a group where we listen to music together. It happens online (we use zoom),every other Monday 6-7:30pm on the first and third Monday of the month.  Each session we start out with a quick go-round to say hello, then we plug our headphones in and listen to music that you choose. After each track there’s a space to chat about it, or anything else that comes up for you, but talking is completely optional. Think of it like a very personal, interactive and friendly radio station! It’s also a really nice opportunity to meet new people, feel part of a community, and discover new music.

You don’t need to know anything about music, OTR Sounds is open to anyone who is interested in trying the sessions out. Music plays important roles in people’s lives in very different ways, there’s no one “type” of person that OTR Sounds is for, and some of the best sessions have been when everyone’s music choices are super different. 

We invite everyone to pick a theme for the next session. The theme is like a springboard to act as inspiration for choosing music, but isn’t there as a restriction. You can pick a song really closely related to the theme, or one that’s been stuck in your head that week.

We run OTR Sounds because we believe that music can play a huge part in our wellbeing and feels really important for our cultural identities, sense of self, belonging and community. We hope the sessions provide a space for this.

Meet the team 

OTR Sounds is run by Natalie (she/her) and Jacob (he/they). We love music, and like chatting about it too!

Our priority is that OTR Sounds feels like a safe, welcoming and interesting space for you. We will send you emails and zoom links in advance, take track requests during the sessions, and make sure everything runs smoothly and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute thoughts and song choices if they want to. 

We want you to be able to show up to the sessions in a way that feels good for you and will do our best to enable this, e.g. some people have their cameras on, others have their cameras off; some people choose to speak over their mics and some type in the chat; some people come along just to listen to other people’s music choices. If you have any accessibility needs or anything that would make the sessions more comfortable for you then we are here to make that happen

What can I expect?

Questions?

Feel free to email Jacob (otrsounds@otrbristol.org.uk) if you have any questions or want to have a chat before signing up. Otherwise, you’re very welcome to sign up using the link at the top of the page, and we’ll be in contact before the next session. Hope to catch you one Monday night soon!