This is a collection of local sounds collected and cataloged by Beth Fileti.
Collected on May 31, 2022
It sounds like a cavernous space, quieter than a typical subway station. The usual station noises were confined to other areas and the few people sharing this downstairs alcove with me stood apart, quiet with each other and ourselves. There are the muffled noises from other parts of the station, other platforms, announcements, and bustle.
Collected on June 1, 2022
A quiet white noise, but if you turn the volume up you can hear kids playing outside. A door opens and there is the faintest rustle of someone moving within the room.
Collected on June 1, 2022
The slight sounds of footsteps, cars passing, and conversations. There is an occasional bird in the background. Some conversations get closer or further and the recorder moves down the street, past a group of parents waiting for their kids after school.
Collected on June 1, 2022
There is a quiet hum of activity, punctuated a few times by clearer voices or construction activity. At one moment, there is the flapping of a pigeon. There is traffic in the distance, but more chatter than that. Some children playing but they are not close to where this is recorded.
Collected on June 1, 2022
The recording starts in motion, walking in front of Borough Hall and past the skateboarders. There are some clearer words and phrases here as conversations come and go in passing. The recorder is stalled at a crosswalk, and there are sounds of traffic and of waiting for a light to change. People continue talking in the background.
Collected on June 1, 2022
An angry skateboarder repeatedly slams their board and yells at the rain, before heading down into the subway.
Collected on June 1, 2022
Standing in the outdoor lobby in front of 370 Jay St, while people rush to get to the subway and out of the rain. A couple passes and it sounds as though they are disagreeing over something, but the moment is too short to really tell.
Collected on June 1, 2022
The sound of the 4th floor at 370 Jay St when several students were quietly working. There is some movement and activity as things are picked up and put down. In the far off distance there is a presentation or introduction.
Collected on June 2, 2022
Standing in the vestibule of an apartment on Remsen St. There are birds from outside and a few voices behind a door. A door opens and the recording moves outside, where the birds become louder and a car horn sounds. Footsteps are heard and move past a conversation.
Collected on June 2, 2022
Sitting under a tree in DC, which is providing enough shelter to avoid getting wet. The rain starts slow in the background, until it suddenly picks up.
Collected on June 4, 2022
A child is making humming noises while someone tries to maintain the quiet. The lobby of a study center, there are doors opening, footsteps, and a few words of greeting. The muffled conversations of people trying to keep a space undistracting.
Collected on June 4, 2022
On a train traveling from DC to NYC. There is a repetitive rocking noise as the train winds down the tracks. As the door between cars opens, the white noise gets louder until the door shuts again. There are a few faint conversations in the background.
Collected on June 6, 2022
An outdoor cafe area, sitting by a table chatting away but seperated enough to feel apart. A waiter gently offers their services before moving along to let you sit in the space. There are a few noises of the street and of dishes.
Collected on June 4, 2022
Some rustlings of movement with a muffled conversation from the street which floats its way in through the window of a garden-level apartment. There are a few birds chirping but it is quieter due to distance and structures in-between.
Collected on June 8, 2022
In a small deli named Sunny's but called Harry's by the young girl on roller blades who came in with her friend. She skated back and forth and they talk excitedly. After the recording, a woman came in to pay for the tea she bought yesterday but didn't have the money for. Two other customers came in and were greeted by name. They asked if she had been sick and the girl on roller blades shared that she still has pink eye but isn't contagious and can go to school. She asked if the man taking the money was taller than Dante.
Collected on February 12, 2023
Collected on June 14, 2022
Collected on January 4, 2023
Collected on October 20, 2022
Collected on October 20, 2022
Collected on February 21, 2023
Collected on June 11, 2022
Collected on March 9, 2023, 7:19pm
Please don't forget to recall the child in a metallic alien outfit and the oddly-shaped briefcase.
Collected on March 16, 2023
Someone orders an omelette.
Collected on March 30, 2023
Collected on April 19, 2023
Collected on April 28, 2023
Collected on April 28, 2023
Collected on April 28, 2023
Collected on May 06, 2023
Before taking my daughter on her first college tour. Group of parents and students collected in a lecture hall, waiting for a presentation. Later, on the tour, we walked past a student in a bathrobe, smoking weed and taking in the skyline of New York City.
Collected on May 10, 2023
Collected on May 11, 2023
They could barely fit on the stage. It took 30min just to get them seated.
Collected on May 14, 2023
Collected on May 19, 2023
The bats never came. There was heat lightning in the distance.
Collected on May 20, 2023
Collected on May 30, 2023
Collected on June 3, 2023
Collected on June 17, 2023
Collected on June 24, 2023
Collected on June 28, 2023
Collected on July 10, 2023
Collected on July 10, 2023
Conductors talking. Transhit and Amtrash.
Collected on July 17, 2023
Collected on July 21, 2023
Collected on July 24, 2023
A woman had a purse that she designed and was asking a group of twentysomethings to test it out and give her feedback on the style.
Collected on August 09, 2023
Collected on August 24, 2023
Collected on August 12, 2023
Collected on September 16, 2023
Collected on September 27, 2023
Collected on October 14, 2023
Collected on October 27, 2023
Collected on October 29, 2023
These voices are clear. I was working at a cafe with my husband, while my daughter was at a pottery class (which she claimed to hate.) This group was sitting together and someone approached them to inquire about what they were doing. It turns out that they were a watch group, and this person was also a watch enthusiast/collector.
Collected on November 24, 2023
With my daughter and my niece.
Collected on December 02, 2023
Collected on December 08, 2023
Collected on December 15, 2023
Collected on December 21, 2023
My beautiful friend was singing there for the first time. I got a box seat by myself and loved every second of it.
Collected on December 21, 2023
Collected on December 24, 2023
Collected on December 30, 2023
Collected on January 04, 2024
Collected on January 19, 2024
Collected on January 19, 2024
Collected on February 12, 2024
Collected on February 16, 2024
Collected on February 17, 2024
Collected on February 23, 2024
Collected on March 06, 2024
Collected on March 12, 2024
Collected on March 18, 2024
Collected on March 22, 2024
Collected on April 04, 2024
Collected on April 10, 2024
Collected on April 20, 2024
Collected on April 20, 2024
Collected on May 16, 2024
Collected on May 31, 2024
Collected on June 14, 2024
Collected on July 03, 2024
Collected on July 10, 2024
Collected on July 31, 2024
Collected on August 12, 2024
Collected on August 14, 2024
Collected on August 18, 2024
Collected on August 21, 2024
Collected on August 29, 2024
Collected on August 29, 2024
Collected on September 13, 2024
Collected on September 13, 2024
Collected on September 18, 2024
Collected on September 18, 2024
Collected on September 18, 2024
Collected on October 04, 2024
Collected on October 06, 2024
Collected on October 16, 2024
Collected on October 19, 2024
Collected on October 22, 2024
Collected on October 25, 2024
Collected on November 15, 2024
Collected on November 22, 2024
Collected on December 11, 2024
Collected on December 12, 2024
Collected on December 20, 2024
Collected on December 27, 2024
Collected on January 11, 2025
Collected on January 16, 2025
Collected on January 19, 2025