A new podcast from Everything Sounds' George Drake, Jr. Coming December 2, 2019 In 2008, a family in Dayton, Ohio was remodeling an original bathroom of their 1927 house. During the process, they unearthed a letter and two envelopes in near perfect condition dating back over 90 years. The letter, from a man simply named "Will" is vague, secretive, and mysterious. The envelopes paint an even more confusing picture. Fifth and Ludlow tells the story of 1920s Dayton through the lens of the letter, a...
Nov 05, 2019•5 min
Steam trains have been around for hundreds of years and devoted people with a lot of passion, patience, and strong work ethic are keeping the culture alive at volunteer-run organizations across the world. The Monticello Railway Museum in Illinois, and the Chelmsford Society of Model Engineers in England are two organizations doing their parts to help the culture make it through to the next generation.
Feb 18, 2016•13 min
When we stumble, misspeak, or fill our speech with um, er, and uh sounds, we are speaking with disfluencies. Michael Erard wrote a book on the subject called Um…: Slips, Stumbles, and Verbal Blunders, and What They Mean. Learn about what disfluencies are, their cultural perception, and why they may not be such a bad thing from Michael and Katie Gore of Speech IRL. Music in the episode was contributed by Podington Bear.
Oct 08, 2015•16 min
A listen back to some of the stories we featured in 2014. Music: Podington Bear - "Frosted Glass" Thank you for listening, sharing, enjoying and taking part. It's been an incredible year. All our best, @georgedrakejr and @CraigShank Episodes featured (in order): https://soundcloud.com/everythingsounds/48-from-here-to-ear https://soundcloud.com/everythingsounds/51-zappa-dummy https://soundcloud.com/everythingsounds/54-shapenote https://soundcloud.com/everythingsounds/49-mad-genius https://soundcl...
Feb 05, 2015•3 min
The sounds of a commute are the soundtrack to a morning. It could be car horns while stuck in traffic, the screeching of the train skidding along a curve, or in this case, a man named Marvin. Marvin goes to the same spot each morning. It doesn't matter what the weather's like or what day it is, he's there trying to make people's days better, by doing something that makes him feel better, too. He's a part of the soundtrack to people's commutes and he sees the commuters as his friends and family. ...
Dec 15, 2014•10 min
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, an...
Oct 02, 2014•17 min
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 http://fasola....
Sep 04, 2014•18 min
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. More from Alex Adey: ht...
Jul 10, 2014•19 min
Jack Chuter's interest in experimental sounds began with a trip to his local record store. He listened to a Sunn O))) record at a listening station and went away completely bewildered by the experience. The music stuck with him and over time helped change his approach to listening and music criticism. Jack founded ATTN:Magazine to explore music from a standpoint of curiosity and discovery. Download the compilation at: https://archive.org/details/livingvoid-flac
Jun 27, 2014•14 min
NPR's Protojournalist published a list of 6 odd college courses in America. On the list is a course on the music of Frank Zappa. The course was developed by Andy Hollinden at Indiana University. Holliden's interest in Zappa first manifested itself while he was in high school. Beyond listening to the music and poring over linear notes, Andy constructed a dummy of Frank Zappa that would later provide him with more insight and memories than he had ever imagined.
Jun 12, 2014•19 min
Jukeboxes have fallen out of favor as time and technology marches on, but they still serve as reminders of a different time with respects to music and culture. Berry Bell shares information about jukeboxes and walks us through his collection on this week's show. Put a few quarters in the machine and listen to learn more about the "jutebox" confusion, the Gullah roots of the machine's nickname, and how jukeboxes changed radio programming forever. Find photos of Berry's collection at: http://www.e...
Mar 20, 2014•21 min
It's becoming increasingly difficult to maintain anonymity in our technological culture, but some secrecy and mythology can still be achieved not in spite of, but because of those advances. @mad_genius is a collective of audiovisual experimenters that twist the sounds of our everyday or collective experiences into musical moments that encapsulate a time, place, person, or event. The elusive "Magnus Genioso" will introduce you to the collective and even offer you a special invitation.
Mar 06, 2014•33 min
The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusettes opened in 1799 and has been exploring the intersections of art, culture, and technology across various disciplines over its tenure as one of the longest continuously operating museums in the United States. The French artist and composer, Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, created an exhibition that is right at home at the PEM. "From here to Ear" is a composition that utilizes space, sounds, and 70 zebra finches interacting with their surroundings. Learn ...
Feb 21, 2014•13 min
The Tell-Tale Heart, one of Edgar Allan Poe's best known works, was written in 1842. The tale of madness involves a number of senses, but comes to a dramatic climax with a single sound -- a heart beating beneath the floor. George adapted the story into a radio drama, The Heartbeat, which was then produced by @auburnuniversitytheatre's Radio Flyer Theatre. Enjoy this modern re-imagining of the classic story on this episode! You can hear the entire version from @scottkwaters here: https://soundclo...
Feb 06, 2014•38 min
Drew Blanke was fascinated with sci-fi, music, and electronics growing up. Over time, he began wiring circuits, performing techno, and building his own marketing company. He eventually left the New York rave scene, sold his marketing business, and began looking for his next project. After adding a color-changing LED to a computer mouse, Dr. Blankenstein was born. Drew has since been drawing upon a lifetime of his interests and experiences to build a company specializing in custom synthesizers an...
Jan 25, 2014•19 min
Skateboarding is an extremely visual activity for participants and spectators. However, the rhythm and sounds created through skateboarding are extremely important to the sport. A music producer called "Wasaaga" and his friend Brad decided to record the sounds of skateboarding and use them to create music that utilized their recordings of skateboarding sounds.
Jan 09, 2014•16 min
Sounds can help to define places and times in our lives. George and Craig graduated from Indiana University in 2009 and have distinct memories about campus life in Bloomington, Indiana. IU is where their interest in sound and radio developed, so they decided to enlist the help of Norbert Herber's class to share their current college experiences through sound. The results capture a place that is familiar, but evolving for former residents and representative of the spirit of the University for tho...
Dec 19, 2013•18 min
As we approach the end of 2013 we wanted to take a moment and listen back to the past year. It's been a good one. We joined up with @muleradio, entered Season 3, celebrated 100k and 200k followers on SoundCloud, made radio with @herebemonsters, @youre-us, The Memory Palace, @maxowens and @simonjohnnewton and never forgot the importance of sound. A special thanks to @lee-sparey for allowing us to remix and use his song 'Electrode.' Listen to the original version here: https://soundcloud.com/lee-s...
Dec 09, 2013•3 min
When people pass on, their memories remain through the stories we tell. Over time, many of those stories can be forgotten or lost to time. However, sometimes those legacies can be revived. In this case, the legacy of Spence Broughton was revived many generations later through music and poetry. @simonjohnnewton shares his family's remembrance of a convicted criminal and the folklore created over the generations since his death.
Dec 05, 2013•22 min
In nearly every city and town, you can find street performers playing music as others go about their day. However, it's not often that you see street performers playing full-sized upright pianos. Dotan Negrin took his desire for adventure and dissatisfaction with his acting pursuits and turned it into a nationwide street performance project called "Piano Across America." Listen to learn more about Dotan's struggles, successes, location selection process, and his traveling partner, Brando.
Nov 14, 2013•15 min
The Memory Palace is produced by Nate DiMeo and features historical narratives that are touching, humorous, and intriguing. In this episode, we share some stories from The Memory Palace focus on sound in some way. You can find the original pieces below: http://thememorypalace.us/2013/09/the-rush-of-the-river-and-the-roar-of-the-falls/ http://thememorypalace.us/2009/06/episode-12-these-words-forever http://thememorypalace.us/2013/07/o-how-we-danced/ http://thememorypalace.us/2009/07/episode-16-se...
Oct 31, 2013•27 min
We wrote and recorded a guest post for Sounding Out for World Listening Month in July of 2013. You can see the post here: http://soundstudiesblog.com/2013/07/22/we-wanted-to-tell-stories-about-sound/
Oct 11, 2013•18 min
The soundscapes of cities are always changing and London is no exception. Human-produced sounds usually push the sounds of nature into the background, but the shrill calls of parakeets have been increasingly cutting through the noise in the London suburbs over the years. How these exotic birds arrived in England is still a mystery, but they have flourished in their new home. Learn more about how these birds have been a blessing and a burden in the lives of Londoners with the help of Everything S...
Sep 26, 2013•24 min
Daniel Goddemeyer and Chris Woebken attended the Royal College of Arts in London, but didn't meet until they moved to New York City. After exchanging messages online, they discovered that they both shared an interest in technology and the way it shapes our world. New York City debuted its "Digital Roadmap" in 2012, which led Daniel and Chris to consider the implications of living in a hyper-connected city. They were inspired to form the Office for Hypothetical Futures as a way to explore ideas a...
Sep 19, 2013•15 min
In 2010, Nick Didkovsky’s friend, Chuck O’Meara, sent him an email with a cryptic subject line. The email had a small picture of an unbranded red guitar that had a price tag of $100. They joked about splitting up the cost amongst friends and letting everyone use it to record their own projects. Before they owned the guitar the word spread and they had dozens of people committed to the idea of recording with it. Find out how this inexpensive guitar went from being a joke to traveling the world wi...
Sep 19, 2013•19 min
Jenny Haniver has been a gamer as long as she can remember. When she and her husband bought an XBOX 360 they began to dive into the world of online gaming. While she was playing, Jenny began noticing other gamers’ reactions to her. She began recording those interactions and used them for an art installation and eventually for her website, Not in the Kitchen Anymore. Learn about how these recordings of online gaming are opening up a discussion on gender issues in the gaming community. As we noted...
Sep 19, 2013•20 min
Over the years, sound effects and music have been used to make video game experiences more memorable or immersive. Smart phones and mobile technologies have allowed developers to further explore the role of sound in their games. One recent release from House on Fire titled The Silent Age allows players to lead their character on a time-traveling journey where sound creates an unusual and eerie atmosphere. Learn more about the game in this episode with Nevin Eronde and Thomas Ryder.
Sep 19, 2013•19 min
Rafael Atijas grew up with a passion for music. When he decided to begin playing an instrument he settled on an instrument that was easier for him to learn. While he was at NYU, Rafael developed an idea for a new guitar to help making learning music less intimidating for young players. Learn more about Loog guitars and some of the challenges faced in the early development of the company.
Sep 19, 2013•14 min
A neuroscientist who goes by “Dave Soldier” when he’s not in the lab has a diverse musical background. He’s had a role in assembling the Thai Elephant Orchestra and making music with the Kropotkins along with countless other projects. One of Dave’s most unique projects, “The People’s Choice Music,” was inspired by a duo of Russian conceptual artists, Komar and Melamid. In this satirical survey, Dave gathered information on what elements could help him write the most wanted and unwanted songs.
Sep 19, 2013•19 min
The early recorded history of jazz, blues, and country music in America usually isn’t associated with a place like Richmond, Indiana. However, for a brief period early in the 20th century the Gennett record label based in Richmond recorded music from artists such as Gene Autry, Charley Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Hoagy Carmichael. Learn about the history of the label from Rick Kennedy, the author of Jelly Roll, Bix, and Hoagy. Music featured: Charley Patton – Down the Dirt Road Blues Fidd...
Sep 19, 2013•20 min
