Scotland: Where the Wind Remembers📝 Episode Synopsis:In this deeply personal episode, Martyn Stewart takes us on an evocative journey through the soundscapes of Scotland—a land he calls home in heart, soul, and spirit. From the soft rustle of winds in the Lowlands to the haunting cries of curlews above Culloden Moor, Martyn reflects on his decades of recording, walking, and falling in love with Scotland’s wild places.We travel through the Borderlands, Highlands, and Islands, weaving through memories of football, first visits, and lifelong rituals—like kissing the welcome sign at Gretna Green. Martyn recounts tales of Rannoch Moor, Glen Tilt, and the Isle of Skye, and speaks about recording with honour and grief at Culloden, where the winds still whisper the stories of the fallen.This episode is also a meditation on loss—of species, of silence, of time—and a call to love the world deeply enough to preserve it. Whether you’re a lifelong nature lover or a curious traveler, this sonic pilgrimage to Scotland is a love letter to wildness, history, and home.www.thelisteningplanet.com
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1:06:18
A Life in Sound – A Sonic Portrait of Martyn Stewart
At 2 AM, Martyn Stewart knew exactly where he needed to be—on the beach, listening. The waves rolled in like an old song, wrapping around him in the way only nature can.For Martyn, sound has always been more than just something to hear. It’s been an escape, a refuge, a way to make sense of the world. As a child, it was the call of the wild that helped him through a turbulent home. As an adult, it has been his constant companion—through illness, through change, through life itself.In this sonic portrait, Martyn reflects on the deep connection between sound and memory, the power of listening, and why, if he could take just one recording to a desert island, it would be the chorus of a blackbird—the sound where it all began.This is more than a story. It’s a life told through sound. 🎧🌿#ALifeInSound #TheListeningPlanet #MartynStewart #SonicPortraitwww.thelisteningplanet.com
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20:42
Creative Conversation with ONR
What if the natural world could compose a symphony? Join us as we explore this captivating question in our latest episode featuring Martyn Stewart and singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer ONR.Born Robert Shields and hailing from from Dumfriesshire in South Scotland, ONR's distinctive compositions, vocals and exceptional musical capability have captured the imagination of some of the world’s biggest acts and most respected musicians; one of ONR’s breakout moments being his collaboration with legendary guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers, who became a huge fan and supporter after having happened to see ONR recording at Abbey Road Studios. Rodgers said of Shields in a recent Forbes interview, “he reminds me of working with Daft Punk. His sense of composition is just wonderfully chaotic."Discover how an impromptu Zoom call ignited Martyn's passion for intertwining the audio of Scotland's breathtaking landscapes with music. The magic of Scotland's Western Isles, the Highlands, and the historically rich Culloden Moor and Glencoe are not just backdrops but essential players in this unique musical collaboration.Listeners will be taken on an emotional journey, particularly through the track "You and I," inspired by the Solway Firth. This piece holds profound emotional significance for Robert, offering a deeply personal narrative woven into the melody. You'll hear about the challenges and rewards of composing music driven solely by the rhythms and sounds of nature, from the daunting cries of Peregrine Falcons in Dalbeattie to the serene ambiance of Scotland's untouched wilderness.The episode culminates in a heartfelt reflection on the transformative power of this artistic endeavor. Martyn and Robert share their gratitude for the creative freedom and inspiration this project has brought into their lives. We invite our listeners to continue exploring the world of natural sounds and music through our online platforms, ensuring the journey into nature's symphony is just the beginning.www.thelisteningplanet.com
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49:12
Creative conversation with Peter Raeburn
On August 30th 2024, 'We Are Biophonica' was launched out into the world. For the album, Peter Raeburn collaborated with Martyn Stewart and The Listening Planet team. In this conversation, we learn more about the journey they went on together, how it all began and how this beautiful collaboration has transformed them both.Wind back to over a year ago and a serendipitous meeting in London at the Platoon offices. Pete shares that moment and how an unplanned meeting, all about nature sounds and their creative potential, sparked a profound and unique partnership.Peter Raeburn’s music tenderly enfolds the splendor of Martyn's natural sounds, unifying them into one harmonious symphonic form that traces a lifecycle from infancy to slumber. ‘We Are Biophonica’ reminds us that we are all intertwined as part of nature’s orchestra and underscores our guiding truth – humanity resides within nature, and we will find connection and peace within ourselves once we learn to cherish its embrace and protect our home. We delve into the concept and meaning of each track and the overarching philosophy of living in harmony with nature. The episode culminates in a powerful narrative about the emotional experiences derived from merging soundscapes, particularly the transition from the terrestrial to the oceanic realm. Through evocative storytelling, we confront the awe-inspiring and humbling power of nature while advocating for a greater appreciation of our environment. Amidst discussions on global crises, we emphasize the often-overlooked plight of animals and the essential role humans play in both creating and solving these issues. Join us for an episode that promises not only to entertain but also to inspire a renewed sense of responsibility towards our planet.www.thelisteningplanet.com
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1:10:45
Creative Conversations with Louis VI
Join us for another A Life in Sound special with Martyn Stewart and Rapper, DJ, Zoologist, Musician, Presenter| Reconnecting diaspora to 🌿| BBC Creator in Residence NHU | Musician Louis VI.Together, Louis and Martyn worked on his track Orange Skies as part of the United Nations Live 'Sounds Right' initiative where Nature was officially launched as an artist, Earth Day 2024. https://open.spotify.com/track/5g2SGvTGdCwTtu37KJskwrJoin them in conversation at they journey through the fascinating world of natural soundscapes, the fragile beauty of endangered species and how this all informs Louis' music. We kick things off with a remarkable story about capturing the elusive calls of the mountain chicken frog, and we explore the unexpected joys and challenges of field recording. Discover the irreplaceable value of audio archives housing over 100,000 files, each one a sonic treasure from a rapidly changing world.Sound is a powerful barometer of our planet's health, and this episode underscores the deep emotional connections we have with natural audio. We reveal how modern life has created a disconnect between society and nature, emphasizing the importance of reintroducing these sounds to younger generations. Dive into the unique intersection of music and nature, where genres like hip-hop and rap are used as tools to raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity loss, conveying powerful messages that resonate on a personal level.As we immerse ourselves in the meticulous process of capturing untouched natural sounds, you'll gain insights into the impacts of human activities such as noise pollution on animal communication. From ants to elephants, we discuss the innovative efforts to bridge interspecies communication, featuring projects like Project SETI. Reflect on the meditative experience of field recording and the stories these sounds tell about environmental destruction, from deforestation to forest fires. By the end of this episode, you'll come away with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of natural soundscapes and our collective responsibility to protect them.www.thelisteningplanet.com
This series aims to take listeners on an epic and intimate journey through the natural world, all through the medium of sound and at the same time we want to enable a rare glimpse into the life of a man who recorded everything you’re about to hear, one sound at a time. Martyn Stewart has spent his lifetime on a mission: to record the natural sounds of our planet. It’s a story that will take us from a council estate in Birmingham England and ultimately take him to every corner of the planet. From Belize to the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, from Denali to the Galapagos, to some of the most inhospitable locations geographically and politically. He will be attacked by lions and crocodiles, arrested in Japan for filming the annual dolphin slaughter and then find himself in long periods of isolation, in remote corners of the world waiting for 30 seconds of a that perfect sound. This is ultimately a love story – dedicated to our natural world and to the people who spend their lives aiming to give it a voice.
New Zealand