The composer Pauline Oliveros thought there was a difference between hearing and listening. She defined hearing as a passive act, something done with the ears. But she defined listening as something active saying that listening happens in the brain.
Sam Parker is a recordist who takes inspiration from Oliveros’ words and work. About six years ago, on an episode of Here Be Monsters called Sam’s Japan Tapes, Sam shared dozens of recordings he made during his first (and only) trip to Japan. He released those recordings under the name Observance as an album called Japan, 6/21 - 7/14.
On this episode, Here Be Monsters host takes two trips to Germany, and records the sounds of Christmas in Berlin, New Years in Saxony, and many hours of people and birds just going about their daily lives in the late winter and early spring.
Before Jeff leaves on his first trip, he calls Sam Parker back, to ask for recording advice before the trip, and Sam offers three tips:
Take lots of time.
Capture moments of everyday routine.
Trust your instincts
The recordings on this episode are available as an album called “Field Recordings: Germany, 2021-2022” and it’s available for purchase on Bandcamp, under Jeff Emtman’s The Black Spot moniker. Until June 30th, 2022, all profits from the sale of this album will be donated to The International Committee of the Red Cross.
Producer: Jeff Emtman
Music: Remixes from the recording session in HBM049: Sam’s Japan Tapes.
Photos: Jeff Emtman
Thank Yous: Sam Parker, Johanna Gilje
Sponsor: HBM’s Patreon Supporters
Here Be Monsters’ supporters on Patreon send a small monthly (or yearly) donation to help cover Jeff’s living expenses, pay contractors, fees, taxes, etc.
Listener Kit Roberts supports HBM on patreon, saying “I’m a patron of HBM because no other podcast has ever made me feel like this one does…so small and singular and yet connected to everything all at once.”
Thank you so much, HBM Patrons.
Recordings heard in this episode
MM:SS - Description. (📸 means there’s a photo in the gallery)
08:45 - Train to SeaTac airport.
09:45 - Announcements on an Air France flight.
11:00 - Turbulance and people rustling.
12:30 - Berlin's Brandenburg Airport
13:15 - A brown swan hissing and chirping
13:30 - Boats rubbing against wooden piers and a small dog barking.
14:15 - Cars driving on cobblestone streets.
14:45 - Ice Skating at Berlin's Alexanderplatz 📸
15:30 - Swing ride with metal chains at Alexanderplatz. 📸
16:00 - Riding on the subway, then walking up several flights of stairs.
18:45 - Radio playing advertisements, news, and christmas music
20:45 - A Christmas Eve service in
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