‘Weather stories’ podcast funded by Humanities Montana

Storm clouds along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front. Photo by Jeff Rice.

I am happy to announce that a proposal I led has been funded by Humanities Montana. “The Wind from Eden: Montana Weather Stories” is sponsored by Montana State University and will look at the influence of weather on the historic ranching culture of central Montana. It started as a series of recording trips I took several years ago and has blossomed into a full-blown podcast. The five-part series is inspired by the writings of Ivan Doig, who coined the phrase “the wind from Eden” to describe the warm Chinook winds that occasionally blow into the region, turning winter into shirtsleeve weather. We will focus on a time in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s before satellite weather forecasting, when ranching life meant a constant reckoning with natural forces. Production starts this month and the series is scheduled to air in February 2021.

'They promised us jet packs'

Here is an excerpt from yesterday’s high altitude jet pack sighting over L.A.

JetPackAudio_excerpt

Virtual audio installation using BBC's Audio Orchestrator software

I recently had the privilege of testing a pre-release version of the BBC’s incredible Audio Orchestrator software. This software combines internet-connected devices such as phones, tablets, laptops or even refrigerators to create surround sound and other immersive audio experiences. I used it to showcase the sounds from inside a bison herd. You can listen here from the safety of your own home. Click "Start new session." Then add additional devices by clicking in the green banner. Adding more devices will allow you to hear a wider variety of sounds.

A curious bison poses for the camera. Photo by Jeff Rice.

'Sounds of the Wild West' story map featured by ESRI

A story map I helped to produce in collaboration with ArcGIS developers ESRI and the Montana State University Library is now being used as a showcase for ESRI’s new Audio (beta) software. Check out "Breaking the sound barrier in ArcGIS StoryMaps" on the ArcGIS blog.

Nature All Around Us

I missed this video when it came out, but seeing it now is a nice reminder of a special project I was involved with last year. I recorded and designed most of the sounds for the exhibit ‘Nature All Around Us,’ which, alas, would still be running if not for the current pandemic. Maybe they’ll bring it back for another showing when the world opens up again!

Recording during the pandemic part 2

It may be too late in the season to get a really dramatic dawn chorus (in Seattle, at least), but sometimes less is more. This was captured along the side of the road last week. Loop it as background sound for your next Zoom meeting.

Recording during the pandemic

Most of the places I like to go near Seattle are closed, but there are still opportunities to record along the side of the road. As you might guess, traffic is down considerably and there are almost no airplanes, so the conditions are pretty good. These woodpeckers rang out on Easter morning near Harris Creek in King County.

'Rhino' sounds in new video

The nasal squawks of rhinoceros auklets are among the most popular sounds in my collection. You can hear some of them in this great new video from Salish Sea Wild.

Herring music

If a video producer asks if you have anything that goes well with herring, the answer is always yes. Check out the latest episode of Salish Sea Wild, which includes some of my music in the underwater scenes.

New exhibit opens this week

If you are in Salt Lake City this week: The exhibit Nature All Around Us opens for previews tonight at the Natural History Museum of Utah. I contributed most of the recordings and sound design, from spooky rumbles in an underground crawl space to the creation of the perfect backyard soundscape. It was one of the more extensive sound installations I have produced, with seven different immersive environments in all. Check it out!