deep_map is a collection of field recordings recorded with industrial geophones—transducers designed for seismic investigations. When we talk of ethnography of space and place too often sound is an afterthought, and sound in the low end of the frequency spectrum (particularly infrasound) is hardly ever considered. This work, initially conceptualized as a multichannel sound installation, foregrounds the liminal industrial rumblings and subterranean resonances of the world around us and below our feet; I hope it evokes place in a subtle yet powerful way. On the topic of subtlety, please be aware that deep_map primarily consists of low-frequency sound and laptop speakers will not be suitable to hear all of the work. For ideal listening, please use headphones or speakers.

deep_map Volume 2 brings together geophonic and electromagnetic field recordings as well as recording experiments from inside of a geodesic dome to create two immersive drone compositions. Like its predecessor, Volume 2 foregrounds sound in the low end of the frequency spectrum (including infrasound), but mid and high frequency textures are more prevalent here—thanks to the electromagnetic recordings (captured with a variety of homemade electromagnetic devices) and the recordings from my geodesic room tone experiments. I mixed and mastered both of these bass and sub-bass-heavy pieces with the intent this work would be played on a speaker system capable of vibrating objects in the listening space; hopefully, this will create an uncanny and immersive affect where the listener must work to pinpoint where certain mid and high frequencies are coming from. Are these frequencies from the recording or caused by vibratory excitation of objects in the space itself? I view this component of the project as something of a tactic that might help spur the development of deeper and more embodied forms of listening.

The geophonic recordings used to create these compositions were captured all over the United States and beyond. Some notable locations: Upper Mississippi River, a cruise ship on its way to The Bahamas, New Orleans, the Moab Desert, Upstate New York, the Brooklyn Bridge, and deep down in the sewers of New York City.