Something uplifting in times of global stress and panic
The latest episode of Field Recordings shows Italy during lockdown, as locals sing from their balconies.
One quick, tangential note to begin: last week’s column mentioned a range of podcasts covering the coronavirus pandemic. It’s now clear that the ABC’s Coronacast is the best of the bunch, and is a valuable resource for anyone looking for clear communication on this story.
But what about something therapeutic for brains and ears overloaded by terrible news in a very stressful time?
Field Recordings is a new international project self-described as “a podcast where audio-makers stand silently in fields (or things that could be broadly interpreted as fields)”.
Episodes to date are sourced from Italy, Puerto Rico, America and Australia. Some are focused on nature, others capture urban scenes, but all are serene in their own way.
If you can find a quiet space and put on some headphones, there’s something immediately arresting about these recordings. It’s hard to describe without drifting into cliche, but you can genuinely feel your brain shift into a different gear.
These recordings are a good reminder that audio is more than voices, music and concrete narratives. There’s something visceral in the way we react to the sounds of the world around us, when they’re recorded artfully.
All of this is achieved without any real editing or manipulation, it’s just a matter of being in the right place with the right equipment. And waiting.
This isn’t a podcast that you’re going to binge on, although there’ll be plenty of demand for that in the weeks to come.
I’m not sure if this was launched in response to the growing medical crisis around the globe, but it’s hard to miss the viral spectre hanging over these episodes. The latest episode shows Italy during lockdown, as locals sing from their balconies.
On a simple level, archives like this could help us stay connected to the outside world and escape immediate circumstances as we begin various forms of isolation. Give it a go, your brain will thank you.
Listen to Field Recordings on your favourite podcast app.
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