Soundscape listening and – slow living – covid changing
Since the tragedy of Covid-19, the pandemic has had drastic implements on our daily lives and routine. With paces of modern society running at such a high rate speed, it felt as if life had no time to pause or breathe. Capitalism has taken a hold of the modern world and brought about a fast pace of change through every element of our normal daily lifestyles.
I want to discuss how this has changed sonically and how we chose to listen to the surroundings around us swell as chosen automated sound. Pre-pandemic music apps such as Spotify, Soundcloud, etc gave us choices and obvious options to flick through song to song as fast as we wanted to. Unlike stereo where this took a little more doing we can now be as indecisive as we chose when it comes to what we listen to. We have complete control and power over what we hear. Despite radio being less controlled this still contributes and reflects our face pace of music by only allowing 3-minute max performances and songs; often playing what is called a ‘radio edit’.
However, when the pandemic hit and we were forced to pause this came unnatural to our mental states and physical states. With more time in our daily routines, we found that the fast abrupt listening we have been choosing was no longer needed. Long days of no work or social life meant that our society was looking at ways to pass time rather than chase it.
“Twitter found that 56.3% of people have listened to podcasts more since the pandemic”
Listening changed from short songs to albums and with extended minutes on the clock, this enhanced the rise of podcasts! Podcasts and audiobooks showed a rise in listeners and creators during the lockdown.
Not only has there been a rise in listeners the free time meant that more creators had time to create! With the extra option of podcasts, it is almost certain you can find a podcast on almost anything nowadays. This means that there’s niche and specific audio to connect with as many people as possible; certainly increasing the enticement to listen.
With more free time in our daily lives, we have found a newfound way of slow living and the benefits for our mental and physical state. Podcasts have seen a rise due to this and continue to do so.
In reflection on society’s new habits of slow living, I will incorporate this into my work piece. I will leave time for pause and though and ensure that the rhythm of my piece is not rushed. As well as connecting to societal changes of slow living through sonic listening, this also brings an emotional effect on my work.