Covid dreams, part II: Delirium factories
Heathrow Terminal 5 reimagined by Craig Garrett. "Lockdown has me sleepwalking though a restless world of fatigue, insomnia and dreams that — dull, obtuse and fractured — create No Time. I flew into Heathrow from Australia four weeks before lockdown 2020. I go months without remembering a dream, then for days and weeks on end I remember every single detail of every single dream. Layer upon lay...
5m Mar 24, 2021
5m
Taking off from Tromso
Recorded by Johan Vandermaelen. "First direct flight from Tromsø - Brussels. Pilot addressing me as 'sir'. The plane had to be de-iced before take-off. Long atmospheric recording." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
19m Mar 24, 2021
19m
In the business class lounge
"Sounds from inside the Business Class Galleries lounge at Heathrow's Terminal 5 in London, used for British Airways international flights." Recorded by Mark Wilden.   Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
1m Mar 24, 2021
1m
2,653 miles via airwaves
Punta Arenas airport reimagined by Museleon. "I have travelled the world many times over in the past 50 years without ever leaving the confines of my little house. Even before the pandemic, I have always travelled by listening to the worlds’ radio stations at night. Choosing a country and wandering through it via the local radio stations, is a wonderful way to get a flavour of a place. I've tr...
6m Mar 22, 2021
6m
The airport at the bottom of the world
A long layover in one of the world's most southerly airports, at the tip of Chilean Patagonia, as we waited for a flight back to Santiago. There's very little to see or do in this tiny airport, as you might expect, but you can hear the sounds of traditional Chilean music being piped in, some chatter in Spanish, and those typical sounds of a transient space holding mostly people who are on their...
3m Mar 22, 2021
3m
Until we travel the future
Train through Bulgaria reimagined by Heiko Jay. "I've always liked the rhythmic sound of the train tracks and with this field recording I have the perfect template for the snare rhythm track. The bass kick and hi-hat are also snippets from the original sound. "I also used parts of the recording for the bass sound. For this I use the EQ to only allow low tones to be heard. "For the synth-like...
4m Mar 21, 2021
4m
Akihabara convergence
Akihabara Station reimagined byt Michael Lilley. "I chose to contrast the white noise ambience of the crowd in Akihabara Station with the electronic bing bongs. I added some discordant oboes, to add a feeling of general unease. "Towards the end, as the soundscape fades, I'd like to think the effect I created is the train shunting off!" Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine...
6m Mar 21, 2021
6m
Inside Akihabara Station, Tokyo
Recorded by Marcel Gnauk. Akihabara Station (秋葉原駅, Akihabara-eki) is a railway station in Tokyo (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Tokyo) 's Chiyoda (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Chiyoda,_Tokyo) ward. It is at the center of the Akihabara (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Akihabara) shopping district specializing in electronic goods. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of t...
2m Mar 21, 2021
2m
Train from Ruse to Varna
Travelling by train across Bulgaria, recorded by Mark Wilden. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
1m Mar 21, 2021
1m
Wytham Woods in lockdown
Over the Christmas period in the UK, we remained locked down, unable to visit friends or relatives, and walking out in nature became even more important as it was one of the few safe - and legal - activities to do over this period.  We'd already recorded Oxford's Wytham Woods during Easter 2020, when they were at their quietest in lockdown number one, so we returned during December to record t...
3m Mar 18, 2021
3m
The patchwork hum of lockdown
One of the unexpected urban soundscapes of the Covid-19 lockdowns has been previously-unheard or unnoticed sounds that had been hidden by the drones of continuous traffic noise emerging into focus. Sometimes they're beautiful sounds like birdsong, and at other times you realise the drone of the city is actual composed of multiple layers of drones at different frequencies and volumes making up t...
6m Mar 18, 2021
6m
Lockdown afternoon snack
"Sounds of the microwave, crockery and antique clocks ticking and chiming in my house. The sounds of the modern and the old, microwave beeps,Victorian clock chiming, emphasise the passing of time which marches on regardless of human intervention." Lockdown sound recorded by The Gaye Device. Part of the StayHomeSounds project to map and reimagine the sounds of the Covid-19 lockdowns.
5m Mar 17, 2021
5m
Lockdown life next door
Lockdown sound from Lagos, Nigeria recorded by Ibukun Sunday. "First, the attack on protestors last night was a new chapter for the #EndSARS protests, with far-reaching consequences for the future politics of the country. The attack happen last year 2020 doing the lockdown. "Second, the land borders were closed to goods in August 2019, with partial openings and closings for people prompted by...
7m Mar 17, 2021
7m
Magnetic levitation
Shanghai MagLev train reimagined by Cities and Memory. "There's not much going on in the original field recording, which is primarily a smooth drone punctuated by a light scattering of conversation poking through, as the train quietly gets on with its job. "The piece, then, is based on what's going on outside the train as it blasts through the suburban spaces towards the airport at 300kmh. Th...
4m Mar 15, 2021
4m
Travelling at 300km/h on the MagLev train
A train connecting the city of Shanghai with its international airport, moving at 300km/h, recorded from onboard by Mark Wilden. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
2m Mar 15, 2021
2m
Budapest in dreams
Budapest train station reimagined by Mandy Matz. "The original recording had a lovely melody in it. I decided to expand on that melody using my voice. I was not prepared for the sense of place this recording would give me. I could feel the air on my face as I walked through the terminal at the airport in Budapest." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transpo...
8m Mar 15, 2021
8m
Tirana
Tirana taxi ride reimagined by Fernando Cerqueira. "One of my travels plans was to try in one or two years to visit Tirana. At this moment with the impossibility to do that, this composition was a chance to be there and who knows if during this year I could be there." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic wor...
3m Mar 15, 2021
3m
Flight mode
Jeddah pre-flight announcements reimagined by Andy Billington. "I was inspired by the theatre of flying and the unnatural act of battling gravity in that liminal moment as the plane coasts towards the runway and begins the ritual for take off. "That moment when you are all seated. Safety messages are presented as fact in many languages. You begin to coast towards the runway and the sun comes ...
6m Mar 15, 2021
6m
Marco Polo jumped over the moon
Venice flight landing reimagined by Tenali Hrenak. "This sound painting, Marco Polo Jumped Over The Moon, features a menagerie of music boxes as well as swinging chimes, gongs, a wind-up toy, and random field recordings from around the house, aiming to colour the landing at Marco Polo with floating etherealness." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport...
3m Mar 15, 2021
3m
Keleti train station, Budapest
A recording from inside Keleti train station in Budapest, Hungary by Mark Wilden. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
2m Mar 15, 2021
2m
Taxi ride in Tirana
"Driving in the centre of Tirana can be a frustrating experience. Heavy traffic jams can leave you stranded for hours.  "The Albanians also have a reputation for being quite eccentric drivers who like to throw the rule book out the window. In conditions like this and because the city is small, it often makes far more sense to walk.  "It is easy and quite safe to wander the city streets and th...
1m Mar 15, 2021
1m
Pre-flight supplication to Allah, Saudi Arabia
Before an internal flight from Jeddah to Riyadh, a supplication to Allah for safety in travel is broadcast after the regular safety announcements you'd expect to hear on a flight - a sonic feature unique to the region, this one is from a Saudia flight. Recorded by Cities and Memory. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic an...
6m Mar 15, 2021
6m
Coming in to land at Marco Polo airport
A flight from London Gatwick comes in to land at Venice Marco Polo airport - recording taken from on board the plane. Recorded by Cities and Memory.    Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
3m Mar 15, 2021
3m
Autobuska stanica in lockdown
Autobuska stanica, Kragujevac recorded by Danilo Crnogrorac. "The atmosphere was recorded on Friday morning at Autobuska stanica Kragujevac (main bus station). Friday is usually the busiest day of the week in Kragujevac, students are going home for the weekend, people travel for a short 3-day holiday, especially now in March for skiing. But, today is a day before the partial lockdown. On Satur...
6m Mar 15, 2021
6m
Serbia in lockdown
Recording from Kragujevac, Serbia by Danilo Crnogorac.  "This recording was made in May 2020 when Serbia was in lockdown. I live next to a very busy street, very loud and unbearable for a sound recordist. Luckily, I will move to a quiet neighbourhood this year. But in May 2020 lockdown made this street also very quiet. There's no traffic, no people and you can only hear birds and dogs. It was ...
3m Mar 14, 2021
3m
Trans-Manchurian Express
Train in China reimagined by Jeff Dungfelder. "This piece of music is based on a field recording of the motion of a sleeper train moving through the open countryside in Russia (from Chita to Harbin). Staying in my neighbourhood here in New York City and having not traveled anywhere in over a year, all I can do is close my eyes and imagine what it must be like for my senses to feel the motion a...
5m Mar 12, 2021
5m
Deep in the hull
Ferry hull reimagined by Richard Watts. "The piece is based around the rhythm created by the ferry engines and the splashing water in the original recording. I have tried to replicate that feeling by using a driving bass and drum beat. The is a slight edge to the original recording so I've tried to capture that with the string sounds and slightly off guitar." Part of the Until We Travel proje...
8m Mar 12, 2021
8m
Tunnels of the mind
Khun Tan tunnel reimagined by Vlad Suppish. "I've decided to work with a random piece this time and received Khun Tan train tunnel recording. At first listen it hasn't made a big impression on me, but on subsequent listenings a train of associations has crossed my mind.  Some childhood memories of playing computer games like Deus Ex. Especially Hong Kong tunnels and its eerie otherworldly musi...
7m Mar 12, 2021
7m
Train from Chita to Harbin, China
The motion of a sleeper train moving through open countryside recorded from a vestibule onboard. Recorded by Mark Wilden. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
1m Mar 12, 2021
1m
In the hull of a vessel
"As part of an artist-in-residence programme through the Media Arts Committee at our local co-operative radio station CFRO FM, I led a field recording expedition in Vancouver to record the soundscapes of the harbour. This piece in particular is a complete journey from the south to north shore aboard the harbour patrol boat. Recorded inside the hull, you will hear sounds of waves crashing agains...
19m Mar 12, 2021
19m
Khun Tan train tunnel, Thailand
The Khun Tan tunnel is the longest of Thailand's seven railway tunnels at just over 1km in length. Khun Tan Station (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Khun_Tan_Railway_Station) , at the northern end of the tunnel, is the highest railway station in Thailand at an elevation of 758 m. Recorded by Marcel Gnauk. (https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Khun_Tan_Tunnel#citenote2) Part of the Until We Travel project ...
2m Mar 12, 2021
2m
The way home
Vietnamese road reimagined by Eulipion Corps. "This field recording from Vietnam immediately put me in the zone; conjuring a dream-like road trip. Not a lot of head-scratching on this one in terms of recording. I picked up my acoustic guitar, turned up the field recording, and entered into a 70’s era road movie; seeing real or imaginary films by Wim Wenders, Raymond Depardon, and Michelangelo ...
4m Mar 12, 2021
4m
Pleasure, pain, hope
San Francisco streetcar reimagined by John Tenney. "This piece is deeply personal. I grew up in and around San Francisco, still live less than 15 miles away, and haven’t visited the city for a year. I rode the old streetcars literally hundreds of times.  "I have experienced all of the sound you hear, over the same fifty-plus years of the streetcar stops: hippie jam sessions, black rights demo...
6m Mar 12, 2021
6m
If they pass by
Jeep radio in Karongwe Reserve reimagined by Tom Thompson. "The original recording of a radio communication in Karongwe Reserve, South Africa between  drivers, trackers and their counterparts exchanging sightings and locations of animals.   "I imagined the excitement of traveling in such exotic locations and coming into close proximity with wild animals in their native habitat.  As I composed...
5m Mar 12, 2021
5m
The road to Hoi An
"This recording was made on the roadside of the National Route 1A after our bus had stopped at a gas station. The 1A is the main route from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south." Recorded by Colin Hunter. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesan...
4m Mar 12, 2021
4m
F-Line streetcar tram interior, San Francisco
"Part of a San Francisco streetcar journey from Beck's Motor Lodge on Market Street to Fisherman's Wharf. Gliding and rattling effortlessly through the afternoon traffic with bright winter sunshine streaming through the windows." Recorded by Grey Frequency. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the...
9m Mar 12, 2021
9m
Jeep radio in Karongwe Reserve
"This recording was taken at 08:31 in Karongwe Reserve, South Africa, during an early morning trip to try and spot some of the animals in the reserve. The driver and tracker escorting us would use the radio to communicate with their counterparts in the reserve and exchange sightings and locations of animals." Recorded by Jase Warner. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine th...
32s Mar 12, 2021
32s
Thank you for your attention
Shinjuku station reimagined by Richard Watts.  "I decided to do a more guitar orientated piece this time. The track is based around a journey you take from a station and the rhythm of those travelling through the station. I've tried to create a taiko drum rhythm underneath and then overlaid a driving bass and guitars. I've also used treated samples of the announcers in the original recording."...
3m Mar 11, 2021
3m
A busy day on Newcastle station past and present
Newcastle station reimagined by Simon Woods. "The piece is built entirely from cutting up the field recording - filtering, reversing, distorting and just generally hacking at it. In the course of these actions, the sound of an old steam train emerges from the past." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world...
3m Mar 11, 2021
3m
Am I on my way south?
"Changing trains at Newcastle, waiting as people and trains go by, various announcements over the tannoy: am I heading away from Dundee or returning? This time I think I am on my way south." Recorded by Kate Laity. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemo...
1m Mar 11, 2021
1m
The world's busiest train station
Recording from Shinjuku Station, Tokyo, recorded as the world's busiest transport hub by Guinness World Records - with 35 platforms and more than 200 exits. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citiesandmemory.com/travel.
3m Mar 11, 2021
3m
An empty pandemic station
"Liverpool Street Station one London's busiest known locations, a major connection point and second hub to business, sees thousands of people passing through in a single day. Normally adjourned by commuters, performers and tavern patrons Liverpool Street is all but empty (February 2021)." Recorded by Jon Bender. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport a...
10m Mar 11, 2021
10m
Distanced
Liverpool Street station reimagined by The Gaye Device. "The piece is inspired by the sudden stop of everyday life,completely unknown to everyone at that moment and my own personal experience. The everyday sounds of travel we experienced became like ghosts to me over the summer of 2020. "Those chaotic, noisy, sometimes overwhelming sounds, felt like echoes reverberating away like ripples in a...
7m Mar 11, 2021
7m
Benfleet to everywhere
Benfleet train station reimagined by Simon Woods.  "The piece is based around the rhythmical qualities of the station announcer’s voice. Each section builds on travel to a different place before boarding the train, in the final section, and passing these places – although in fact once on the train you could be going to everywhere." Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the ...
3m Mar 11, 2021
3m
Arriving into Benfleet
"Just waiting for a train to arrive one evening and recorded one arriving and departing on the opposite track. The sound from the overhead powerlines as it pulled away was awesome." Recorded in Benfleet, UK by Shaun Malone. Part of the Until We Travel project to map and reimagine the sounds of transport and travel in a pre-pandemic and pandemic world. See the whole project at https://www.citie...
2m Mar 11, 2021
2m
Pandemic Underground
Recording made on the London Underground from London Bridge on the Jubilee line, February 28th 2021 by Jon Bender. "London's Jubilee line, major commuting route and popular pedestrian highway straight into the heart of the city. This clip takes you on a short ride between London bridge and Green Park, a typical tourist route if heading towards the Palace. Normally, a chocked ride - claustropho...
7m Mar 08, 2021
7m
Always falling
"Much of the inspiration came from the beginning section with manipulation of the  busking performance using a modular sampling tool... this created many sounds that were used for the rhythm parts.  I also used other sections that run through the whole piece as textures.This was a great field recording to use as so much could be taken from it!" Piece by Alex Hehir as part of The Orange Garden...
4m Feb 25, 2021
4m
The orange tree, the fountain and a long-forgotten love
"Rome's  Orange Garden is extraordinary - a spiritual place of deep significance to so many people over hundreds of years. My piece starts with a gently sweeping, dreamy soundscape that is 100% created from the awesome original field recording - so many possibilities in there! Granular synthesis and sampling techniques have been used on nearly every sound from the recording (including the mech...
7m Feb 25, 2021
7m
Il Giardino degli Aranci tutto il giorno
"On a cold day in early Jan 2021 (UK), I ventured through my snowy garden to the garage. Here we have an old piano from a school in Nottinghamshire. It is in need of renovation and retuning but some of the keys still work.  I recorded a number of improvised piano parts, many where the key did not register the note making just a dry hammer noise. These formed the basis for the track and when ad...
7m Feb 25, 2021
7m
The garden of love
"I was inspired by the busker singing can't help falling in love with you. I broke down the vocal line and stretched it to create a heavenly choir ambience and overlaid the original field recording drenched in reverberation and echoes to create a dreamlike soundscape.  The Garden of Love is a place where everyone is welcome, free from prejudice and hate. The fighter jets roaring overhead are t...
10m Feb 25, 2021
10m