Everything Sounds

Everything Sounds is a podcast and short-form radio program exploring the role of sound in art, science, culture, and our everyday lives.

[nevver]

Electric Love Blueprint, A History of Electronic Music

[npr]

The United Nations has declared Friday World Radio Day in celebration of radio’s unique status as a “simple and inexpensive” technology with the power to reach even the most remote, marginalized communities.

But we wondered — in this digital age, how hard is it to find a simple, inexpensive radio?

Our journey took us to several stores in Washington, D.C., in search of a portable and affordable radio, as well as to the National Capital Radio and Television Museum in Bowie, Md.

Finding A ‘Radio That Is Just A Radio’ In The Digital Age

Photo credit: Emily Jan/NPR

[midcenturymodernfreak]

Radio Assembly Line - Via

[99percentinvisible]

In 1985 John Cage wrote ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible) without specifying exactly how slowly it should be played. Performances have ranged from 8 to 24 hours, and a 639-year performance is currently taking place in St. Burchardi church in Halberstadt, Germany. What is surely the world’s slowest and longest concert began in 2001 with a 17-month rest. A special organ designed to last at least until the end of the performance in 2640 is currently playing a chord consisting of d♯′, a♯′, e″ and the next scheduled change in sound will take place in September 2020. (Photo courtesy of John-Cage-Orgel-Stiftung Halberstadt.)

[99percentinvisible]

NASA Posts a Huge Library of Space Sounds, And You're Free To Use Them

In addition to the requisite vocal clips (“Houston, we’ve had a problem” and “The Eagle has landed”), you get a lot more. There are rocket sounds, the chirps of satellites and equipment, lightning …

This is excellent news. 

[anal0gue]

i like

[nevver]

Where records come from…

[soundrycreations-blog]

Polyphonic Overtone Singing Demonstrated by Anna-Maria Hefele

[everythingsoundsmedia]

55: Restaurant Sound Design

In the 2013 Zagat Dining Trends Survey, diners shared information about their tipping habits, favorite cuisines, and even their top complaints about restaurants. Not surprisingly, high prices, poor service, and crowded restaurants were some of the biggest gripes, but the number one complaint was noise. How much of the sound is there by design and how can restaurant owners use sound to make dining out a more pleasant (and less noisy) experience?

Clark Wolf has consulted to restaurants, hotels, and just about every type of venue where people gather to enjoy food. Part of his job is to think about the ways in which sound can be used to enhance dining experiences. Learn more about the best and the worst of sound and music in restaurants with Clark Wolf on this episode of Everything Sounds.

[laughingsquid]

A Cover of ’99 Red Balloons’ Played With Red Balloons

[laughingsquid]

Touching Video of a Seven-Week-Old Baby Boy Hearing for the First Time With Hearing Aids

[everythingsoundsmedia]

54: Shapenote

Shapenote singing is a tradition developed in the late 1700's and early 1800's that helped everyday people sing music even if they couldn't sight-read standard musical notation. Shapenote and the Sacred Harp songbook are still allowing people to share a musical experience until this day. Learn more about this tradition from Anne Heider, Robert from the Chicago Shapenote Singers, and Ruth Reveal.

You can learn more about Shapenote, the Sacred Harp, and find singings in your area at fasola.org.

Thanks to Kate Lumpkin for her help with this episodes.

[laughingsquid]

Openmix, A Tiny Portable Audio Mixer That Lets Users Mix Smartphones Like Turntables

[laughingsquid]

Cloud Piano, A Robotic Installation That Plays Keys on a Piano Based on the Movement of Clouds

[popchartlab]

We’ve been celebrating rappers all week, but where would they be if we had nothing to listen to their music on? Check out our ode to audio advancement, which tracks the music player’s progression from 1840 to the modern day—click here for the full diagram of 219 devices! 

[thekyletm-deactivated20191230]

Music as architecture.

“Archimusic” by Federico Babina

[everythingsoundsmedia]

53: The Black Country

Individuals can share a common language, but it can sound different due to accents and regional dialects. In some cases, there are profound differences between areas that are in close proximity to one another. The Black Country, an area of the West Midlands in England, is known for a unique dialect that can be difficult for modern English speakers to clearly understand. In this episode, Alex Adey shares stories of the history and torchbearers of the Black Country dialect.

You can find more resources and educational material about the Black Country at the Black Country Museum.