Field Recordings (podcast)

Field Recordings is a podcast created by Eleanor McDowall that is composed of short recordings of environmental sound from a variety of locations internationally. The show does not contain any introduction or talking and is an example of slow media.

Background

The show debuted in March 2020 and released over 70 episodes by May.[1] The episodes are relatively short in length.[2] The name of the show is a play on words because the show is composed of recordings made while standing silently in a field or locations that could be interpretted as a field.[3] The episodes are recorded all over the world in a variety of environments and often include sounds from the wildlife local to each area.[4] While some episodes include sounds from nature and wildlife others include sounds from cities.[5] Episode names include the location that the recording was made.[6]

The show began around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when many people were quarantined and unable to enjoy the outdoors.[7] Each episode is composed of sounds recorded outside without any introduction or talking.[8] The show is an example of slow media.[9] McDowall released an episode at the end of 2020 containing snippets of audio clips from all the episodes released throughout the year.[10]

The show won best new podcast at the 2021 British Podcast Awards.[11]

References

  1. ^ Wilding, Mark (May 23, 2020). "Rain on rooftops, crunching gravel: the strange appeal of 'slow audio'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Dawson, Claudia (March 17, 2021). "Listen to the sounds of someone just standing silently". Boing Boing. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  3. ^ Wills, Dixe (April 1, 2020). "10 of the best travel podcasts". The Guardian. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Townsend, Sophie (April 1, 2020). "These podcasts will help you escape the news while you're stuck at home". ABC News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Fox-Leonard, Boudicca (November 23, 2020). "The 20 best escapist podcasts to get us through the next few months". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Larson, Sarah (April 24, 2020). "Field Recordings". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  7. ^ George, Eric (March 20, 2020). "Something uplifting in times of global stress and panic". The Australian. Archived from the original on December 13, 2024. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Sturges, Fiona (March 22, 2020). "Podcasts — Field Recordings brings the outdoors indoors". Financial Times. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Fenwick, George (December 26, 2020). "Five great podcasts to stream right now". Stuff. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Runcie, Charlotte (December 16, 2020). "This nourishing gem will restore your faith in Radio 4". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Harding, Laura (July 10, 2021). "Louis Theroux, Fearne Cotton and Vent Documentaries win at podcast awards". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved December 19, 2024.