Radical Murmur - Episode 1 - The Sonic City

TRASHLINIE

RADICAL MURMUR is a three-part sonic essay on the possibilities of sound. We live in an age dominated by images and language. What do we learn about ourselves and the world when we close our eyes and open our ears?
Part 1: THE SONIC CITY. In this episode, we listen to the bustling hum of human activity, the reverberation of sounds between buildings and the familiar ring of the tram bell. What city sounds do we become attached to and why? How does sound help us navigate traffic, society and history? We climb a former Nazi bunker with sonic philosopher Salomé Voegelin, hear the squeaks and creaks of Berlin's S-Bahn with artist and sound connoisseur Peter Cusack, and reflect on sonic utopias and ways to 'read' city sound with sound artist Justin Bennett in a shopping arcade in The Hague.
RADICAL MURMUR is made in collaboration with rekto:verso, Gonzo (circus) en Collateral.
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
0:00 > Sound recording of farmer Gjalt Tjeerdsma's milking machine recorded by artist Stijn Verhoeff while making the film ANSAGE ENDE.
15:17 > Three fragments from soundwords.tumblr.com, “a blog about sounds and words”, by Salomé Voegelin.
27:54 > Fragment of "Symphony Of Groans, Spreepark Ferris Wheel In Abandoned Fun Fair" by Peter Cusack, recorded in Berlin as part of the project Favourite Sounds.
31:08 > Fragment of "S-Bahn Train In And Out Of Bellevue Station" by Peter Cusack, idem.
37:36 > Fragment of "Midnight Nightingale, Crystal Clear" by Peter Cusack, idem.
42:38 > Fragment of "Bruitage", audiotape by Constant Nieuwenhuys, courtesy of Fondation Constant.
52:12 > Fragment of “COL_DRN” from the album “BXL_FLT” by Justin Bennett. Available here.
54:47 > Fragment of "Bruitage", audiotape by Constant Nieuwenhuys, courtesy of Fondation Constant.
57:48 > Fragment of "Bruitage", audiotape by Constant Nieuwenhuys, courtesy of Fondation Constant.
1:02:17 > Fragment of “BLM_SIR”, from the album “BXL_FLT” by Justin Bennett. Available here.
1:02:43 > Fragment from the publication “Siren Song” by Justin Bennett.
1:03:46 > Fragment from “AUT_SIR” from the album “BXL_FLT” by Justin Bennett. Available here.
1:07:52 > Fragment from “WTC_2” from the album “BXL_FLT” by Justin Bennett. Available here.

All other sound clips recorded by Sjoerd Leijten.
Interviews and text: Sjoerd Leijten and Roel Griffioen
Voice: Sjoerd Leijten