The sounds of Los Angeles are bringing together people from all walks of life to record and archive local audio, ranging from the buzzing of a bees’ nest in Griffith Park to church bells echoing over goose honks in Echo Park, according to reporting by LAist. The community effort, organized through the Los Angeles Field Recording Club, offers enthusiasts a chance to capture the urban landscape’s pulse.
Los Angeles Field Recording Club Origins and Growth
George Jensen founded the Los Angeles Field Recording Club a little over a year ago, according to LAist. Jensen, a longtime radio contributor with shows on dublab and KCHUNG radio who also works as a prop fabricator in the TV and film industry, fell in love with preserving audio moments after capturing the serene sounds of a cove in Big Sur. The club has since attracted sound lovers with all levels of recording sophistication. Participants range from individuals using smartphones to people carrying professional-grade recorders worth thousands of dollars.
Monthly Meetups and Sound Exploration
According to LAist, about 20 club members meet up once a month at varied locations across the region. Past outings have taken place at sites such as the purportedly haunted Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, a scrap yard in Sun Valley, and a section of Griffith Park where a participant recorded a cacophony of bees buzzing around their nest. Jensen described the monthly gatherings as an antisocial social club, explaining to LAist that members meet briefly at the beginning before dispersing to record in quiet solitude. People are drawn to the practice for multiple reasons, Jensen noted, whether they want to nerd out over gear or gather audio to embellish an art or music project.
Upcoming Listening Session in Highland Park
Residents can listen to these recorded sounds at an upcoming Los Angeles Field Recording Club Listening Session scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m., according to LAist. The event will take place at Figueroa Unanimous Radio, located at 5820 North Figueroa St. in Los Angeles, behind the Bearded Beagle shop. Looking ahead, Jensen stated that the next endeavor for the group is an interactive sound map where field recordists could archive their audio online for public enjoyment.
The Meditative Quality of Field Recording
Beyond capturing audio, Jensen highlighted a meditative quality that draws participants into the practice, telling LAist that the activity forces people to stop, listen, and become present. He noted that a certain therapeutic aspect accompanies the process once individuals sit and be still long enough to hear the city’s underlying pulse.