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Sonic Reflections
By Sound of ListeningMusic
Sonic Reflections episodes
- Life on MercuryToday I return to the idea of a soundscape influenced by a heavenly body, this time the planet Mercury. I recently read the excellent science fiction novel Diaspora by Greg Egan. In this sprawling work of possible consciousness, space-exploring trans-humans, living in virtual reality space-faring computers to explore the far reaches of the galaxy using sensors and nanotechnology launched from their spaceships and analyze the data they receive at a rate of time eight times fast than our current perception of time. So for example, they’ll wait hundreds of years in a state of virtual stasis for a chemical process to unfold on a planet to see if its hospital to organic or inorganic life. I highly recommend this book, suggested to me by my friend Berlin/Belfast based musician, Adam Pulze-Melbye. If I ever get the courage to return to the occasional conversation-based podcast episodes, I’ll be sure to have him on. Anyway, this book got me thinking about deep-time, a concept I often return to with my music and my interest in creating sounds divorced from temporality. So for this soundscape, I imagined a time, perhaps after the sun has begun to cool down and collapse, when Mercury, which presently has no atmosphere and is way too hot to support life as we know it, could develop an ecosystem that sustains life. What would life on Mercury sound life? At the base of this soundscape is a binaural beat tuned to 87.97, the frequency of the number of days it takes for Mercury to take a trip around the sun. Also in the soundscape are my mix of inner and outer soundscapes, real and imagined of an alien ecosystem in our own solar system. Also for me, the subject of Mercury was interesting as I feel like Mercury and the so-called “Mercury Retrograde” are often maligned by friends of mine who subscribe to Astrology. I wanted to bring a healing and mysterious soundscape to this smallest and warmest planet in our solar system.If you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com58 min
- Costa Rica Soundwalk
I recorded this binaural soundwalk in Uvita, Costa Rica on 26th February 2019. I walked slowly in the jungle by the oceanside. The binaural microphones create a very realistic 3D sound field. In this soundscape, you can hear the ocean, birds and the dry underbrush as I walk slow and meditatively.
Photo by Lisa Kessler
If you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com
23 min - A Drop of Infinite Light
This piece was recorded on a new arrival at Lake Studios Berlin the last week I was there at the end of a two-month residency in 2019. A neighbor in Friedrichsagen (East Berlin) graciously donated her family’s vintage 1970s Hohner Pianet to the studio. I have been a longtime user and lover of 1970s electric pianos. I’ve owned three Fender Rhodes and two Wurlitzer electric pianos in the past (sad to have let all of them go to other owners). I was happy to record this late-night improvisation using some looping and spatialization plugins For this raga-inspired improvisation. I looked to the great Indian masters and someone who introduced long-form Indian influenced improvisation to the west, Terry Riley for musical inspiration on this one. This piece is also inspired by the 50th anniversary of the US moon landing and the hope, awe and wonder that space travel can offer humanity. In 1969 (like today) there’s much trauma, hate, and ignorance on our planet. However, something like interstellar travel can open our hearts and minds to a deeper more connected universe filled with infinite possibilities. This one is dedicated to all the interstellar travelers out there. I hope you enjoy this cascading waterfall of sonic light.
Photo from NASA of SpaceX Launch
If you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com
34 min - Sun BathTodays’ episode I explored the idea of a sound bath (a relatively static, supportive soundscape intended to promote wellness and relaxation) and the idea of sacred frequencies. Today’s piece is called Sun Bath, the theme for today is our great nearby G-type main-sequence star, responsible for life as we know it. I used tuned frequencies to 126.22 Hz, the same frequency as the sun. Also, you can hear some subtle sounds of summertime, the season of the sun. I hope you enjoy the warm sound herein and take some time to express some level of gratitude to fiery god floating nearby giving us stability, balance and warmth so that life can flourish on this planet.Photo from NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/news/solar-ballet.htmlIf you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com59 min
- Water, Birdsong, Handpan at Dawn
This piece was recorded at dawn by the lake side of the Muggelsee in East Berlin. I played my Rav Vast drum and hand pan based on the original hang drum. As there were no people around this early in the morning, I played this as a duet with the natural soundscape of birdsong, duck calls, insects and the gentle water of the lake. Relax and enjoy this peaceful duet.
Hang drum: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hang_(instrument)
Rav Vast: https://ravvast.comMüggelsee: https://www.visitberlin.de/en/muggelseePhoto by Alexandre GrégoireIf you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com
34 min - A Song of Bowls
Today’s meditative soundscape is a binaural recording of a singing bowl sound bath. Singing bowls or Tibetan bells are small metal bowls that are played by striking them with a mallet or your hand or bowing them with a soft mallet. As you rub the bowl around the edge it begins to sing and make a very pure high pitch sound wave. These bowls are used a lot in yoga, meditation and sound healing because of their pure frequencies. This piece was played by myself and a Berlin-based artist, musician, and filmmaker named Alex Zampini. This is his collection of singing bowls that he was kind enough to allow us to play and record for the episode.
It really resets your energy and leaves you feeling cleaner, lighter and more open. I hope this 3D recording today will do the same. Thank you for listening.
Photo by C Drying
If you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com
36 min - Chrysalis
Welcome to Sonic Reflections! The first episode, Chrysalis, is a slowly unfolding journey from pupa to butterfly experiencing the miracle rebirth.
Photo by Timo Vijn
If you would like to support the production of this these sound you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com56 min
About Sonic Reflections
From the publisher's feed
Sonic Reflections is a podcast and YouTube Channel of meditative soundscapes aimed at bringing serenity, Deep Listening®, and harmony to your life. Explore endless worlds of slowly unfolding…
soundscapes, harmonically tuned frequencies to decrease stress and increase concentration, and binaural field recordings from places here on Earth that will promote balance and compassion in your life. This deeply therapeutic music will leave you feeling uplifted, equanimous and open to receive the world. Sonic meditations are great as a daily reset, to begin your day or to embark on a deep night’s sleep. Sonic Reflections is created by composer, musician and teaching artist Mikronesia. This podcast and the recording of Mikronesia are perfect for Meditation, Yoga, Relaxation, Massage, Reiki and Music Therapy. If you would like to support the production of this music you can purchase full length, high-quality recordings at Bandcamp to stream or download to play offline at http://mikronesia.bandcamp.com.