In a world full of noise, to stop and listen inward is radical.
PSOUNDS: A Listening Party is a celebration of sound, place, and community. Conceived by local artist Jessie Rivest, the project maps Kelowna’s landscapes through a series of recorded field recordings from the public. Signs across the city act as QR-coded listening portals, inviting passersby to stop, listen, and connect with their surroundings in a new way.
The Listening Party at the Alternator brings these scattered experiences together into a shared event. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the collected PSOUNDS recordings, reflecting on the act of listening as both personal practice and communal gathering. The evening will feature an artist talk (The Image Speaks), a summary of what took place during 4 months, 5 locations, and over 60 submissions, a summative soundscape, and conversations about sound and listening.
At its heart, PSOUNDS is about tuning into the environment, community, and to the little quiet place within. It demonstrates that we always have the option to find safety amidst chaos, and truth through the noise of the world. By reimagining Kelowna as a living soundscape, the project highlights how art can spark fresh perspectives for navigating change.
Jessie Rivest is a vocalist and sound artist based in Kelowna, BC. Her work bridges contemporary a cappella, experimental, and interdisciplinary performance, often weaving together voice, space, and symbolism. Her compositions have been performed by ensembles such as Pro Coro Canada, Choral Arts Initiative, and Khorikos, while her performances have appeared at festivals including Nuit Blanche and the Living Things Festival. Jessie is the founder of Yin for the Win, a coaching practice grounded in archetypes and integration. Whether creating or performing music, or working with one’s “inner music,” her work invites people to feel deeply and navigate change with curiosity.