Santuario (Sotano) de las Huahuas - Mexico - 5 pm - flocks of swallows jump at incredible speed in this 400m deep hole.
Soundscape from latest location of our doc "Gods of Mexico"!Gods of Mexico : https://vimeo.com/142931655
https://www.instagram.com/godsofmexico/

Swallows (Golondrinas) Santuario De Las Huahuas - 5pm

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AMB31 Pacific Northwest Falling Snow

Dawn - An Ambient Isolation Soundscape Composition

Since the globe went into lockdown a few weeks ago, many of us have noticed the significant shift in our sonic landscape. Most apparent in urban spaces, the restrictions on our daily lives have emptied the streets and stopped the constant noise pollution from air and road traffic. Suddenly there is more sonic bandwidth and clarity. Much subtler and quieter sounds are revealed. The soundscape seems much calmer and more defined. Birds, it seems, are more vocal than ever.

The Ambient Isolation project was started to bring together an ever-growing number of experienced field recordists from all over the world, who are capturing and documenting these sonic changes and sharing the results.

Dawn is a soundscape composition created from 67 field recordings made in various time zones in the early hours of April 25th, 2020. Each contributor was invited to submit a one-minute recording from their lockdown location.

Following the sun rising over the International Date Line, the recordings are presented chronologically and geographically from east to west. Starting in Wellington, New Zealand and finishing in Vancouver on the Pacific coast of Canada.

The listener is invited to observe the small, and under normal circumstances drowned out, sounds at daybreak from five continents from the same moment in time.

We were interested to hear the connection between these global locations and wanted to explore soundscapes in other parts of the world while we have the opportunity to really listen. 

The environmental benefits of the lockdown in terms of reduced air pollution and improved water quality have been much talked about. Active listening to birdsong also has a positive effect on well-being and mental health. We hope that our piece gives listeners a connection to the natural world and brings some joy and peace during these unprecedented times.

The composition is released on May 3rd, 2020 to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

Many thanks to all the contributors.

Dawn

Friday 13 March 2020: While working in Plymouth, the 149th lifeboat station on my journey and the penultimate before the COVID-19 lockdown, the squeaking and creaking of the lifeboat's fenders formed a permanent aural backdrop.

Before leaving, I couldn't resist putting my microphones right next to one of the fenders to make this recording. I held one mic and naval historian Iain Ballantyne held the other!

I then used this clip to close the recent podcast featuring the conversation with Plymouth Coxswain, Dave Milford. 

The recording stirred a lot of interest in its own right, so I've made this standalone clip for you all to enjoy.

If you'd like to listen to the full 40 minute podcast, you can hear it in the Members' Area of The LSP Society — a place where a community of kind people are pledging whatever they feel comfortable with from £1 per month to help fund my project.

If you'd like to join them, here's the link you need: lifeboatstationproject.com/society

I've also shared two previews of the podcast right here on SoundCloud in my 'Sounds from the Coast' playlist.

Sounds from the Coast: Sonic Portrait of a Lifeboat Fender No.1 by Jack Lowe

For this episode (part 1 of 2) we bring you an interview that took place in the Summer, where Andrew Wilson met John Aldred to hear all about his remarkable career in sound.

We were sad to hear the news of Johns' passing recently, but we are glad to be able to present this conversation as a celebration of his life.

Please listen to the end, where we provide details on how you can supply your own audio tribute, to be included in the second part of this interview.

AMPS PODCAST Ep10 - John Aldred - A Life In Sound (Part 1)

AMPS Podcast

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