Cities And Memory

The melodic sound of waves gracefully traversing through rocky crevices along the coastline of Krorez Bay awakens the senses. The rhythmic movement of the water produces a refreshing symphony that entices anyone to rise and behold the captivating expanse of the sea. This remote location in Albania beckons with its serene allure. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The melodic sound of gentle waves upon the shoreline orchestrates a serene dance on this blissfully warm day. Here I stand, alone, amidst a captivating desert coastline — one of the hidden gems nestled in the remote corners of Albania. To reach this secluded paradise, one must embark upon a journey either by boat or through an arduous trek that demands a few hours of dedication. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The nightfall over Gjipe’s Canyon is an experience in itself, where the waves gracefully dance to the rhythm of the nocturnal sea breeze. It is a solitude soundscape, an enchanting symphony that echoes through the untamed wilderness of Albania. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Leeturtle, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When the sea communicates in whispers, it is in those moments that the sea breeze gracefully embraces and hushes the bustling sounds of the ocean, crafting a serene and delicate soundscape. This melodic symphony, found along the coastline of Gjipe, hidden within the remote canyons of Albania, possesses the power to lull one into a state of tranquility, inducing a sleepy and dreamy ambience. Recorded by Rafael Diogo. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/ IMAGE: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

"The piece is an attempt to represent my peculiar sleep experiences in recent months. I perform as a percussionist with the band Foals and when the Music For Sleep project was announced I was midway through a 5 week tour of the US. Instinctively, I selected a field recording made back in my hometown of Oxford. During the tour I've so often fallen asleep on various modes of transport, dreaming of home, before waking up to discover my reality is quite different; stuck somewhere in a Dallas airport for example. The piece blends the original Oxford recording processed as part of a floating dream sequence, which is then interrupted by another field recording, taken by myself in a Dallas airport train. Why the announcer seems to say 'Dream' and not 'Train' is strange and unexplained and quite beautiful...who knows if it actually happened...I was half asleep when I recorded it." Stonor Park, Oxfordshire reimagined by Kit Monteith.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds

"The inspiration for »lwrcs« was mainly driven by the feedback-like howling of the wind in the original field recording. It’s rich in frequencies but also has something eerie yet warm to it. When being played silently it sounds like a sung melody. Digital and analog feedback loops and warm tape noise create the framework for the heavily processed fragments of the field recording. Here and there you can catch a glimpse of recordings from my collaboration with AM (in paseule) as well as an inaudible voice reading a poem about the conquering of nightmares. "As studies indicate that it takes (healthy) people about 15 minutes on average to fall asleep, the piece is exactly 15 minutes in length.  "To add to the idea of creating music that aids your sleep, the overall mix and master of »lwrcs« peaks about -30dB. Thus, you won’t be able to draw any rewarding experience from listening via phone or laptop speakers. »lwrcs« is meant to be listened with earphones while in bed with the volume turned all the way up. But

"How does one create a sound to help others to sleep and not make it tedious? I enjoyed the "bubbling, hot pool" of Tim Kahn's field recording and tried to create something that takes someone on an exploration but can also possibly induce a feeling of calm and serenity." Field, Oregon hot pools reimagined by Bill McKenna.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"The recording, a waterfall, reminded me of the white noise I would sometimes use to block intrusive noise to help me sleep and where I might have imagined I would like to have been. I live in a city and use to work as a paramedic. Attempting to sleep in the day, or to suffer insomnia at night was challenging, there was much noise and I could feel the vibration and sound of construction and hear antisocial behaviour. Although disruptive, I sometimes enjoyed uncomfortable sounds and have collected many field recordings from my street. I became skilled at listening for soothing elements that were familiar from childhood, distant trains, birdsong, a ticking clock. This piece aims to give an audio snapshot of the soundscape in my neighbourhood, which never stops to sleep..." Crecy-Couve waterfall reimagined by Rachel Henaghan.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"Since first reading about the Music for Sleep theme for this project, I have spent quite a bit of time talking to friends and family about their sleep patterns and the techniques they use to help them get to sleep. I have also been doing some reading on the sounds, tones and patterns that can sometimes help people achieve the state of being asleep. Within “Ripples on the Surface of the Absolute” there are six movements. Each movement is inspired by my research and on my own personal experience with sleep. The field recording I chose for this project is used in almost all the non synth-based sounds. The six movements are: I Breathe II The Storm Before III The Calm IV Counting Electric Sheep V Ripples VI Lullaby" Crecy-Couve river reimagined by NAHTHAN.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"When I consider 'music for sleep' I immediately consider water and 'less is more'. This piece contains my own continuous field recordings of the Holy Brook (flowing through Devon) in real time (recorded on 30/07/2023 with Sony PCM D100) featuring sounds presented by Jamie Bell." Glasgow woods reimagined by Tulse Hill Fields.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"This piece is a playful attempt to portray hypnagogia in an individual entering an increasingly hallucinogenic resting state. Here we have a front row seat in witnessing the sounds of body rhythms and firing neurons meshing with the fleeting perception of environmental sounds as awareness eventually slips away from perceived material existence." Oxfordshire woods reimagined by Gerald Fratzl (Absturtzt).  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"The soft thunder and rain and birdsong in the recording were so transportive, I wanted to tint that environment with a drowsy theme that loops in one’s mind while drifting into sleep. I kept the original recording and layered in another copy at half speed to add to this dreamy state and to allow the bird melodies to be drawn out into melancholy cries. The entire piece is a loop itself, and can be used as a warm blanket of sound that never lets go." Oxford thunderstorm reimagined by the void inclusive.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

"I've used an underlying rhythm which is supposed to reflect the breathing while you sleep, then a layer of sweeping synth-like dreams coming and going, and finally the birdsong over the top as if thoughts are interrupting the sleep. I've treated the original recording with some clipping distortion and echo." Paris birdsong reimagined by Richard Watts.  Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

 I love listening to the wind and its voice as it travels around, and the constant drip of the tap is comforting reminder that I'm home. Recorded by Michelle Breslin. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

A bubbling geothermal pool in the middle of a sagebrush desert surrounded by crickets. The gentle bubbling sound is very relaxing, the crickets are a classic evening sound, everything is still and peaceful and no one else around to interrupt. Distant thunder punctuates the moment. Recorded by Tim Kahn. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The time in which the river is changing, following the upcoming night. The last sounds of the birds, while the flow of water doesn't stop.  Recorded by Cristian Estrella. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

The time in which the river is changing, following the upcoming night. The last sounds of the birds, while the flow of water doesn't stop.  Recorded by Cristian Estrella. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

In the woods among the huge grounds of the Stonor Park country house and park, two rows of bushes form a tunnel over a small footpath - perfect for leaving our binaural recording device to pick up birdsong and buzzing insects from all angles.  Recorded by Cities and Memory. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

On a summer walk in the Oxfordshire countryside, we pause in the small but perfectly-formed Summerheath Wood to record a moment of forest-bathing calm among the birdsong. Recorded by Cities and Memory. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/

A summer thunderstorm over Oxford in June 2023. The rain hits the tree canopy, softening the sound to a relaxing bed, with almost constant, low key rumbles and grumbles of thunder rather than loud, infrequent cracks. Recorded by Cities and Memory. Part of the Music for Sleep project - for more information and to hear more sounds from the collection, visit https://citiesandmemory.com/music-for-sleep/