A Shropshire soundscape in vivid stereo

Have you heard a Hello You soundscape before?

This is something I do on Hello You the Shropshire podcast, to transport you to somewhere in Shropshire for a little while.

The soundscapes are quite simply recordings of what’s happening in a particular places at a particular time. In audio art parlance, they’re field recordings. They can help you perceive somewhere familiar or unfamiliar in a new and different way.

For this soundscape, I set up the Hello You recorder at the base of the statue of Lord Clive in the Square in Shrewsbury, facing away from the old b*****d towards the Old Market Hall. It was a warm Thursday afternoon; the Square wasn’t all that busy but you can hear people moving around and through it, and other things happening too.

Hello You soundscapes are always recorded in super-wide stereo. Hence, they’re best enjoyed on headphones or with your earbuds in.

And what are they for?

Some people use the soundscapes to place themselves in the recording location. You can listen to and follow threads of sounds, snatches of conversation, audio glimpses into people and places.

Soundscapes make good background sounds when you’re working or chilling out, and music or interviews would be too distracting.

A number of people use Hello You soundscapes to fall asleep to, to aid meditation or for ASMR practices.

Join in the conversation about the soundscapes in the comments:

Here’s why I’m sharing this one with you:

Most of my soundscapes are available only to paid subscribers of Hello You the Shropshire podcast. I’m making this one free for everyone, so that you can sample the soundscape experience. If you like it and want more, I hope you’ll take out a paid subscription to Hello You.

I know no-one’s got much money at the moment, but a paid subscription to Hello You the Shropshire podcast isn’t outrageously expensive. Each month, it’ll cost you about the same as just one posh cup of coffee from that good place you like. Or two cups from the place you settle for.

You’ll get the soundscapes (and I’ll be recording more, in some fascinating places, over the next weeks and months), and you’ll be supporting Hello You. You’ll be helping to ensure the survival of informed, curious, intelligent, progressive and sometimes quirky conversation, for and about Shropshire and the wider world.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this soundscape episode of Hello You the Shropshire podcast. Why not share it with a friend?

And if you think of somewhere I could go to record a soundscape - it can be somewhere busy or deserted, urban or rural, peaceful or intense - send me a message to tell me where it is?

Thank you for being there

I’m very happy that you’re a member of the Hello You family.

Please take care of yourself. Take care of the people around you, and I hope that they are taking good care of you, too.

Hello You - the Shropshire podcast from Jim Hawkins is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimallthetime.substack.com/subscribe