Sonus Loci: The Sound of Place

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\nHussain, Bassetti, Rajesh, & Thubron at Stanfords London - March 2022
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\nLast month was wonderful. It took me to London, where I interviewed Tharik Hussain, Monisha Rajesh, and Colin Thubron at a live event at Stanfords and attended the 2022 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards (award winners and nominees at the previous link).
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\nSocial events drain me, but I\'d be lying if I said it didn\'t feel good to meet people and talk about literature. I came back to Florida buzzing and with a full heart, despite the audio recording of the live event failing. I will publish an audio transcript on Travel Writing World, but it may take me a while to edit because it has 21 pages and over 12,000 words. More soon.
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\nNow, onto what you came for:
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\nLast month we published
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\n※ A podcast with Colleen Kinder about her book Letter to a Stranger on Travel Writing World※ A podcast with Jess Vincent about The Best British Travel Writing of the 21st Century on Travel Writing World※ An author profile of Christopher Somerville on Travel Writing World※ A few "postcards" from France and Florida (Postcards Newsletter) on my website※ A comment on (and a translation of) Sergio Larrain\'s letter to his nephew on my website
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\nThe roundup
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\n The Stanfords Travel Writing Festival is back (and so is the Destinations Travel Festival).
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\n The 2021 NATJA travel writing awards have been announced.
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\n Solas announced its 2022 travel writing winners.
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\n Stanford\'s book of the month is Everest 1922 by Mick Conefrey. They also have a few of in-person author talks scheduled for this month.
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\n Ryan Murdock speaks with Sophie Haydock about Egon Schiele and fin-de-siècle Vienna on the Personal Landscapes Podcast. 
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\n Rolf Potts also speaks with Colleen Kinder on his podcast Deviate.
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\n Jo Frances Penn speaks with Liz Alden about sailing around the world on her \n\t\tJeremy Bassetti\n\t\t\n3190\t\n\t\t\n\t\tMalecón – Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (Binaural Field Recording)\n\t\thttps://www.jeremybassetti.com/sonus-loci/malecon-puerto-plata-dominican-republic/\n\t\t\t\t\thttps://www.jeremybassetti.com/sonus-loci/malecon-puerto-plata-dominican-republic/#respond\n\t\t\n\t\t\n
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\nI left Long Beach and walked to the Malecón. I found a shady spot near the beachside bars and chiringuitos that dot the Malecón. Here, the noise of cars and motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) drowns out the sounds of the breaking waves, just a stone\'s throw away. After recording, a shaved-ice seller rolled his cart by. I flagged him down and bought a cup of shaved ice flavored with pineapple, which he said was his favorite.
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\nPlease listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, at about 80 Hz, but the file remains otherwise untouched.
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\nData:
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\nDate: Jun 13, 2021 at 10:00 AMConditions: Mostly ClearTemp: 84.2°FFeels Like: 95°FAltitude: 8.45172813355214Coordinates: 19.78995615396209, -70.67012800881663Humidity: 77Wind Speed: 8.699 mphWind Direction: 130Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=19.789956,-70.670128&ll=19.789956,-70.670128
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\nCurious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.
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\nIf you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.
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I left Long Beach and walked to the Malecón. I found a shady spot near the beachside bars and chiringuitos that dot the Malecón. Here, the noise of cars and motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) drowns out the sounds of the breaking waves, just a stone's throw away. After recording, a shaved-ice seller rolled his cart by. I flagged him down and bought a cup of shaved ice flavored with pineapple, which he said was his favorite.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, at about 80 Hz, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

Data:

Date: Jun 13, 2021 at 10:00 AMConditions: Mostly ClearTemp: 84.2°FFeels Like: 95°FAltitude: 8.45172813355214Coordinates: 19.78995615396209, -70.67012800881663Humidity: 77Wind Speed: 8.699 mphWind Direction: 130Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=19.789956,-70.670128&ll=19.789956,-70.670128

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

I walked down to Long Beach one morning, which was a nice hike from my mother's house. I walked along the beach and found some driftwood to sit on and attach my camera. Looking west, Pico Isabel de Torres stands in the distance. Though it appears secluded, the beach is close to the Malecón; I didn't notice the noise of street traffic while recording, but the microphone captured it well.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, at about 80 Hz, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

https://youtu.be/eo1m6VkVdjY

Data:

Date: Jun 13, 2021 at 9:23 AMConditions: Mostly ClearTemp: 82.4°FFeels Like: 91.4°FAltitude: 1.19791849325005Coordinates: 19.78658856372363, -70.66617082803153Humidity: 81Wind Speed: 8.699 mphWind Direction: 130Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=19.786589,-70.666171&ll=19.786589,-70.666171

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

After leaving the Parque Colón (see the previous recording), I walked back to my hotel. But the quiet fountains of the Plaza María de Toledo caught my attention. The plaza is next to the Panteón de la Patria (Pantheon of the Fatherland), a mausoleum which houses the remains of notable Dominicans.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off at about 80 Hz, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

https://youtu.be/SrzCpApelGY

Data:

Date: Jun 10, 2021 at 9:04 AMConditions: Partly CloudyTemp: 78.8°FFeels Like: 84.2°FAltitude: 17.9976854583915Coordinates: 18.47497233564548, -69.88305977375357Humidity: 86Wind Speed: 0 mphWind Direction: 20Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=18.474972,-69.883060&ll=18.474972,-69.883060

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

I flew to the Dominican Republic in June to surprise visit my mother, though I made a pitstop in Santo Domingo. My hotel was in the Zona Colonial and one morning, before catching the bus to Puerto Plata, I went to the Parque Colón. The Parque Colón, or Columbus Park, is adjacent to the Basilica Catedral de Santa María la Menor, which you can see in the background of the photo and videos. The Cathedral dates back to the early 1500s and is the oldest still-standing church in the Americas.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, at about 80 Hz, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

https://youtu.be/dbYFkpVmSwg

Data:

Date: Jun 10, 2021 at 8:45 AMConditions: Partly CloudyTemp: 78.8°FFeels Like: 78.8°FAltitude: 20.1442277336182Coordinates: 18.47366317895471, -69.88386025721536Humidity: 88Wind Speed: 0 mphWind Direction: 10Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=18.473663,-69.883860&ll=18.473663,-69.883860

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

After sitting under a tree and listening to skaters practice, I took a walk around Lake Eola. A musician played his saxophone as people walked under the Christmas decorations. Most walkers wore masks, but the path is narrow so it was hard to keep one's distance. It is easy to hear how multicultural Orlando, Florida is in this recording.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

Street Musician at Lake Eola Park, Orlando, Florida

Christmas Decorations at Lake Eola Park, Orlando, Florida

Data:

Date: Dec 19, 2020 at 8:02 PMConditions: Mostly ClearTemp: 60.8°FAltitude: 24.8297901772287Coordinates: 28.54495804079103, -81.37464977024713Humidity: 81Wind Speed: 6.835 mphWind Direction: 110AQI: 52Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.544958,-81.374650&ll=28.544958,-81.374650

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

I sat under a tree at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida as a group of skaters practiced tricks, people strolled around the lake, and the Lake Eola fountain sprayed water into the air. A show was performed nearby at the Disney Amphitheater, well-attended and nearly out of earshot, which I investigated after the recording (see photo below). There were considerably more people walking around the lake than there were at Church Street earlier in the night.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

Lake Eola and Downtown Orlando, Florida

Well-Attended Show at the Disney Amphitheatre, Lake Eola, Orlando, Florida

Data:

Date: Dec 19, 2020 at 7:42 PMConditions: ClearTemp: 60.8°F; Feels Like: 60.8°FAltitude: 25.9896464593926Coordinates: 28.54248609053605, -81.37395954386041Humidity: 82Wind Speed: 6.214 mphWind Direction: 90AQI: 33Apple Maps URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.542486,-81.373960&ll=28.542486,-81.373960

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

This binaural audio recording captures a Saturday-evening stroll down Orange Avenue and Church Street in Orlando, Florida during the pandemic. While there were quite a few people out and about, the audio might misrepresent how many people were actually out. That said, the night was just getting started. If anything, it does represent how loud downtown Orlando can get on the weekends.

Please listen with headphones for the full stereo experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off, but the file remains otherwise untouched.

Looking West, Church Street

Data:

Date: Dec 19, 2020 at 6:46 PMConditions: Partly CloudyTemp: 64.4°FAltitude: 34.7084928303957Coordinates: 28.5403825969393, -81.37919205249882Route: South on Orange Avenue from Pine Street to Church Street, then west on Church until Garland Avenue. Circled back at Garland to Orange.Humidity: 69Wind Speed: 6.214 mphWind Direction: 100AQI: 58Apple Maps URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=28.540383,-81.379192&ll=28.540383,-81.379192

Curious to know what Sonus Loci is all about? Listen to episode 001.

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.

Welcome to Sonus Loci - The Sound of Place.  

Every week or so, I’ll publish about 10 minutes of audio from around the world—from a forest, a city, a coffee shop, a beach. Somewhere. No commentary. Just the sound of place. I’ll also publish a few notes and an image taken on location in the show notes.

This podcast is recorded with special microphones that capture sound similar to the way our ears capture sound: spatially and in stereo. So, it is best that you listen with headphones to get the full experience.

At first, I will record in places nearby. I’m currently in Orlando, Florida. But as the world opens up, whenever it does, these audio recordings will take on a more global character. I hope.

A podcast like this might sound a bit pretentious, gratuitous, dull, mundane, or just completely pointless. Perhaps that’s true.

Yet, as we get busier and have more demands on our attention, hopefully, this podcast will inspire us to slow down and pay more regard to the world around us. 

At the very least, this podcast will be an artifact of sorts—a self-serving experiment that tracks where I’ve been, what I’ve heard, and if I’ve had the time to slow down and listen. 

On a final note, this podcast was inspired by SW945, a podcast about walking and Japan by Craig Mod. I encourage you to check out Craig’s recordings if this sort of thing interests you.

I do hope you enjoy the podcast as you do whatever it is you do when you listen to one—meditate, work, fall asleep, study, or—hopefully—nothing at all.

Thanks for listening.

Please listen with headphones for the full binaural experience. The audio file was originally recorded in 48 kHz/24 bit FLAC and encoded at 160 kbps in MP3 format. Low frequencies were rolled off.

Data:

Date: 4 January 2021 at 2:13 PMConditions: ClearTemp: 62.6°FAltitude: 1.26515027284831Coordinates: 29.03789073244264, -80.89456680725959Humidity: 46Wind Speed: 9.942 mphWind Direction: 340AQI: 29Map URL: https://maps.apple.com/?q=29.037891,-80.894567&ll=29.037891,-80.894567

Lifeguard Tower at New Smyrna Beach, Florida

If you enjoy what you hear, leave a comment below, subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app, join the Genius Loci newsletter to get updates about the podcast and other projects, and consider being a supporter of the podcast.