Nearly two years of monthly sessions now. Sound Dialogues has become something I look forward to more than almost anything else in my creative routine.
When Rob McIntosh first suggested co-running these online gatherings back in June 2024, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Virtual format felt limiting somehow. But distance creates its own kind of honesty. Musicians joining from Moscow, London, Berlin, New York, all sharing the same screen, discussing struggles that don’t care about geography.
The format stays deliberately simple. Fifteen to twenty participants, specific theme each month, no hierarchy between speakers. Dealing with rejection. Managing creative blocks. Maintaining motivation when nobody seems to notice your work. These conversations don’t need experts or authorities. They need practitioners who’ve lived through similar challenges.
Rob brings connections I couldn’t access alone. His network through MAC Global opens doors to UK industry professionals willing to speak candidly about mental health in music. London-based musicians who trust his judgement enough to join sessions with someone they’ve never met in person.
Working across time zones requires patience. Evening in Moscow means afternoon in London. We’ve found rhythms that work for both sides. The eight-hour difference actually helps: participants join at different energy levels, bringing varied perspectives to discussions.
Virtual connection has its own intimacy. People share things through screens they might not say face-to-face. The slight remove creates safety for vulnerability.
Planning expansion now. More UK participants, potentially themed sessions around specific genres or career stages. Building towards something that might eventually include live elements when circumstances allow.
For now, the online format serves its purpose perfectly.
— Indie pop artist, musician Anastasiia Ledovskaia