Four States, One Place

Four States

My home town, Texarkana, is situated at the meeting point of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. As Texarkanians, the people of my home town celebrate the culture of each of the four states that surround it - in school we learn the dense history of the region, delving into the past of each state. It's no exaggeration to say that all 4 states and cultures are a huge part of what makes Texarkana what it is.

One Place

But, as indebted Texarkana is to each surrounding state, it is still it's own entity. Sometimes it seems like the histories of the region suffocate the city, as it struggles to find it's own, independent identity. By using the pidgin language we have set up, and musical samples representing the past history of each of the four states, I have made an audio representation of how Texarkana can take this rich creole heritage and make it its own, without being smothered by it.

    State Representations:

    Texas: Steel Guitar - the sound of the open plains and cowboy lore

    Louisiana: Washboard - the steady rythym of cajun zydeco

    Oklahoma: Indian Drum - the defining sound of Native American culture

    Arkansas: Hillbilly Banjo - the sound of the backwoods and mountain men

Though these samples are all very unique, the idea was to not let any individual sound take over the song. They are mixed in order to create a piece that sounds indepednant, supported, and unique.