The Binaural Diaries of Ollie Hall

Violin and Chat

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:00:29 PST

Relaxing at the Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter... again...

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/violin-and-chat">Violin and Chat by BinauralDiaries</a>

Crunching Snow Underfoot

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:04:53 PST

As have a lot of places in the UK, Exeter experienced a surprising amount of snow in January. I went out for a walk after work one evening and recorded the sound of the snow crunching underfoot.

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/crunching-snow-underfoot">Crunching Snow Underfoot by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Quayside

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:19:16 PST

Recordings of flowing water around Trews Weir along from the Exeter Quayside.

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/exeter-quayside-1">Exeter Quayside 1 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/exeter-quayside-2">Exeter Quayside 2 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Einzelganger - Chion-In

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:12:53 PST

Einzelganger is Thijs Geritz, a guy I met on Soundloud.com. He composes very interesting sound art and field recording-based music - definitely worth a thorough listen.

Recent I was very honoured to have one of my recordings used as the basis of one of Einzelganger's pieces.

I like it a lot and wish to share it with you.

Chion-in by Einzelganger

Overheard from the football ground.

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:47:25 PST

We live close to Exeter City's football ground - St James' Park.

We can often hear what's going on from our back garden.

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/football-ground-sound">Football Ground Sound by BinauralDiaries</a>

Pub Ambience

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:22:52 PST

We've got a new local pub, and it's a great one. It's called 'The Rusty Bike', and it does great food and beer. It's also a good pub for a Sunday pint and read of the paper - the very activity I was partaking in when making this recording!

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/pub-ambience">Pub Ambience by BinauralDiaries</a>

Trafalgar Square

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:00:02 PST

I was up in London in August. It was a great sunny day, and there was plenty going on in Trafalgar Square.

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/trafalgar-square">Trafalgar Square by BinauralDiaries</a>

M5 motorway through Exeter

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST

Walking over the M5 flyover on Tithebarn Lane Exeter, Devon. A binaural field recording taken on 4th August 2009.

This is on my lunch break walking route - most of the route is more picturesque than the motorway flyover though!

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/motorway-traffic">Motorway Traffic by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Respect 2009 : Pooja Angra

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:00:01 PST

To quote from her official Youtube page, Dr Pooja Angra is a Hindustani classical singer with a doctorate in Indian Classical music from Delhi University. She is based in the U.K. She got her initial training from Prof Alankar Singh & Ruby Banerjee and later from Dr A.S Paital & Prof Geeta Paintal of Agra and Indore Gharna. She is an approved All India Radio & T.V artist since 1991 & 1998 respectively. In addition to concerts and live shows of Indian classical music in the U.K, she gives workshops and presentations at a number of institiutes. She works on a number of assignments for Southampton music services and Art Asia. She regularly sings for the BBC Asian Network.

It was a real pleasure to experience her performance at Exeter Respect Festival 2009. Here are some recordings I made during her set. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Recorded on 11 July 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/pooja-angra-1">Pooja Angra 1 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/pooja-angra-2">Pooja Angra 2 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Respect 2009: Chartwell Dutiro

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:00:02 PST

Chartwell Dutiro is a mbira player from Zimbabwe. It was great pleasure to experience his music and I was impressed by the musicianship of both him and he accompanying players.

Recorded on 11 July 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/chartwell-dutiro">Chartwell Dutiro by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Respect 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:00:00 PDT

Earlier on during the Respect Festival I just had a walk around the site seeing what was going on. I made a few recordings while at it. One of the things I picked up on was the band previously covered - Ainote-san, travelling in 'locomotive'-fashion while making crazy noises with plastic bottles, cowbells and a melodica. All good.

Recorded on 11 July 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/phonic-fm-promo">Phonic fm promo by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/exeter-respect-festival-1">Exeter Respect Festival 1 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/exeter-respect-festival-2">Exeter Respect Festival 2 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/exeter-respect-festival-3">Exeter Respect Festival 3 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Respect 2009 : Ainote-san 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:00:02 PDT

At the end of the set AInote-san concluded with an improvised piece under the Whaletone Opera banner that was much more avant-garde and eccentric - as on might expect from improvised music! Members of the collective disbanded into the audience where they basically tried to 'freak out the squares'. They did, and it was good. All in good humour!

Recorded on 11 July 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/ainote-san-3">Ainote-san 3 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/ainote-san-soundcheck">Ainote-san Soundcheck by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/whatetone-opera-improv">Whatetone Opera improv by BinauralDiaries</a>

Exeter Respect 2009 : Ainote-san

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:06:59 PDT

The Exeter Respect Festival takes place each year, and as you might be able to spot, I've taken my recording equipment along to this event in the past. Previously the festival had been held at the Phoenix Arts Centre but this was the first year for it to be held at Belmont Park, and I think it worked really well.

We didn't get to see a great many acts, but those that I saw I really enjoyed. Specifically, a band named Ainote-san, who had been billed as the Whaletone Opera. The Whaletone Opera project is primarily a a collaboration between Makoto Nomura of Tokyo and Torquay musician Hugh Nankivell, however the set began with a number of songs performed by Ainote-san, Makoto Nomura's band.

I really enjoyed the set - they combined fantastic musicianship and originality with a great sense of humour and charisma. Some of the instruments were constructed out of household items such as plastic bottles, and in one piece some extra percussion was provided by one of the band members slapping parts of his body eccentrically.

Recorded on 11 July 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/ainote-san-1">Ainote-san 1 by BinauralDiaries</a>

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/ainote-san-2">Ainote-san 2 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Ustad Asad Ali Khan Sahib

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:38:32 PDT

I encountered the following video on the blog of Sunn O))) member Stephen O'Malley. I'm enthusiastic but not very knowledgeable when it comes to Indian classical music, I find the drones and textures compelling. Anyway, this video caught my attention this morning and I thought I'd share it.

I'd be very interested in knowing whether or not visitors to this blog would find posts on sound art / music to be a valid inclusion amongst the field recording updates. Please let me know what you think!

Train from London Paddington to Heathrow

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:00:04 PDT

This is very back-to-front I know. But I just couldn't resist posting the recordings made in Japan before those made on the way to Japan.

Our journey began by taking the train from Exeter to London Paddington, and then on to Heathrow - also by train. We travelled light, so this wasn't so bad.

Recorded on 13 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/train-from-london-paddington-to-heathrow">Train from London Paddington to Heathrow by BinauralDiaries</a>

Japan : Strolling around outside Kyoto Station

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 01:00:01 PDT

Recorded on 27 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/outside-kyoto-station">Outside Kyoto Station by BinauralDiaries</a>

Japan : Waiting in the Veloce coffee shop, Kyoto Station

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:23:17 PDT

The day of our return to Tokyo we got to Kyoto Station quite early. To kill time we went for a coffee in Caffe Veloce. My girlfriend wanted to do some last minute gift buying in one of the shopping centres in the station complex so I took the opportunity to record the hustle and bustle of the busy cafe.

Recorded on 27 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-in-the-veloce-coffee-shop-kyoto-station">Waiting in the Veloce coffee shop, Kyoto Station by BinauralDiaries</a>

Japan : Waiting for the Shinkansen, Kyoto Station

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:41:10 PDT

This speaks for itself really. The Shinkansen trains are fantastic and I couldn't resist making some recordings from the Kyoto Station platform while we were waiting to jump on.

Recorded on 27 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/waiting-for-the-shinkansen-kyoto-station">Waiting for the Shinkansen, Kyoto Station by BinauralDiaries</a>

Metro Boy guest mix for MANTIS features some of my recordings.

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:55:08 PDT

Metro Boy guest mix for MANTIS by metroboy

Japan : Rain under an umbrella

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:04:07 PDT

Another of our walks in Kyoto followed what was called The Philosopher's Walk (哲学の道 Tetsugaku no Michi), famed for it's beauty and popularity as a place of meditation of Philosophy Professor Kitaro Nishida.

We hired bikes from K's Place (the fantastic Hostel we were staying in), and followed the river north before bearing easterly to visit the Nanzen-ji temple.It was brilliant to be out on bikes - we covered ground much quicker, and it was a pretty exhillharating way of exploring the area. Nanzen-ji occupied a large complex with separate smaller shrines dotted around it. We had to leave the bikes while exploring it, but hopped back on to reach the beginning of the Philosopher's Walk. Just as we got there and had started munching on our Onigiri (御握り; おにぎり) it started raining. Heavily! So the rest of the day involved precariously pedalling around on fairly flimsy bikes one handed (the other holding and umbrella), in torrential rain! It was actually quite good fun in the end, but our clothes were wet through.

Recorded on 22 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/rain-on-umbrella">Rain on umbrella by BinauralDiaries</a>

Japan : Okura-Ike pond, Arashiyama, Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:20:13 PDT

A lot of our time in Kyoto was spent loosely following the walking routes outlined in our guidebooks. The day I made this recording we had started out by catching the train northwesterly to the Arashiyama district
and visiting the Tenryū-ji temple and gardens. Leaving the north gate of the spectacular gardens brought us to Kyoto's famous bamboo forest and afterwards a large pond named Okura-Ike. The weather was beautiful, and the atmosphere was very calm and relaxing. I hope this was captured in the recording!

Photo courtesy of PhotoPass Japan

Recorded on 24 March 2009, 15:51pm

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/okura-ike-pond">Okura-ike Pond by BinauralDiaries</a>

Photo courtesy of Alexandre Gervais.

Featured in a Metroboy mix

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:26:53 PDT

A few weeks ago my buddy Ben of Ben and Lex included one of my recordings in one of his mixes for Brap.fm under the pseudonym Metroboy.

It's the first track in the mix, and I really dig what he's done with it. Visit his Metroboy blog here to give it a listen. I also highly recommend the rest of the content on Ben's blog!

Japan : Yasaka-jinja, Kyoto

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:31:34 PDT

Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社 Yasaka-jinja), once called Gion Shrine (梅宮神社 Gion-sha), is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan. Situated at the east end of Shijō-dōri (Fourth Avenue), the shrine includes several buildings, including gates, a main hall and a stage.

We encountered Yasaka-jinja early on in our stay in Kyoto, mainly because the Gion District is a very popular part of the city to visit and we wanted to hit these places before going further afield.

The first recording captures the sound of visitors shaking long ropes that were connected to bell-like metal containers in which something would then make a loud metallic rattling noise. People were stood in line waiting their turn in front of one of the 'buildings' that made up the shrine complex. After they had rattled the 'bell', they would pause for a moment in prayer before leaving.

Recorded on 21 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/yasaka-jinja-1">Yasaka-Jinja 1 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Unfortunately I'm struggling to recall what exactly was taking place during the second recording! I confess to this being down to poor organisation, but I'm sure honesty is the best policy! There is a likelihood(!) that it was made while passing a strange event that was being held whereby members of the public got to have their photos taken with local geisha or geiko as they are known in Kyoto.

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/yasaka-jinja-2">Yasaka-Jinja 2 by BinauralDiaries</a>

Japan : Inokashira Park

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:32:54 PDT

The same day we visited the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, we took a stroll around the nearby Inokashira Park. We had an amazing time at the Ghibli Museum, but with all the Japanese kids bashing into our knees and getting shoved around, we were eager to get a bit of space and fresh air.

Inokashira Park was really pleasant. There was a lot of Sakura in early blossom and the sun was blazing down. We passed an old lady sitting on a bench quietly playing a harmonica, which I caught in this recording. There was also a really cool public exercise area with advisory posters and outdoor gym apparatus!

Recorded on 18 March 2009

<a href="http://binauraldiaries.bandcamp.com/track/inokashira-park">Inokashira Park by BinauralDiaries</a>

London Sound Survey - impressive new(ish) site.

noreply@blogger.com (Ollie Hall) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:09:28 PDT

I'm always interested in discovering other field recording sites, although they are few and far between.

Today I received a message from Ian Rawes, the admin of a site named London Sound Survey, letting me know that he had placed a link to my blog on his site.

From what I can gather, London Sound Survey came into existence around May 2009, and already it contains a significant number of recordings. It's refreshing to see a field recording site that breaks away from the oft encountered blog format and the aesthetics are engaging.

The site is described as a small and growing collection of stereo recordings of places, daily life and events in the capital, and appears to comprise of four main sections: Sound Action recordings, Sound Map recordings, a graphical representation of the types of sound encountered across the city of London, and a Historical Sounds section. As is alluded to in the website name, the recordings you'll here are centered around the UK's capital, which I think works well in tying the audio material into a cohesive body of work. That said, restricting the recordings to a geographical area does not mean that the recordings are restricted in scope - there is plenty of variety here.

I look forward to seeing and hearing more from Ian's site.