This is a collection of stereo underwater hydrophone recordings I made in West Central Minnesota.  I work for a non-profit organization called Freshwaters Illustrated and was out assisting with an aerial and underwater cinematography project.  I primarily do sound design, recording, and editing for Freshwaters Illustrated, so thought it an opportune time to use my hydrophone setup!  
I was blown away by how much aquatic insect (and potentially fish) communication was taking place in these little freshwater lakes that pock the Minnesota landscape!

Norlien Lake Bounce5 Cut1

Norlien Lake Bounce1 Cut2

Norlien Lake Bounce1 Cut1

Roland Lake Bounce9 Cut1

Roland Lake Bounce8 Cut1

Roland Lake Bounce7 Cut2

Roland Lake Bounce7 Cut1

This is a tribute song I put together to play for my Grandma Kellam's funeral, and to celebrate the amazing, dynamic life she lead.
This piece contains snippets of phone call recordings I made over the last several years of her life, as I loved talking with her almost every weekend.  She would tell me stories of her life with Grandpa Kellam, her family, reflections on what she used to love to do, etc...She was always so funny, cracking the whole family up anywhere she went.  I edited together all of the snippets of conversation to sound like one single conversation.  
I grew up with a love for listening to birds and cicadas calling in the woods.  My Grandma and Grandpa Kellam had a beautiful backyard in Virginia I used to love to go in and get lost in the amazing soundscapes back there.  This piece also contains field recordings of cicadas, birds, flowing water, wind, trees, etc...to paint a portrait of the serenity I felt while enjoying the outdoors at my Grandma's house.  
The very end of the song contains a recording of the last time I visited her back in Indiana, where I played one of her old personal vinyl records of her singing a song called "My Hero" - from an operetta called "the Chocolate Soldier" - at 94 years old, she started singing right along with the record - it was a beautiful moment which I am honored to share.  Thank you for listening.

Matt Kellam

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