Get Out Sunday: Support Your Local Phonographers Union

This Sunday evening, the Seattle Phonographers Union will be holding a sonic performance at Magnuson Park. Phonographers?!? The hell you say? Rest, assured; we misspeelled neither photographers nor pornographers --although, for the record, we support many of those engaged these activities. We like the term phonography, first, because it sounds nicely antiquated and, given that we are currently embroiled in The Digital Future, somewhat analog what with its allusion to the phonograph. Now we're certain that many of our valiant phonographers likely use digital means to record sound; however, the term still has somewhat of steampunk charm and we are currently having a torrid tryst with the steampunk ethos.

Secondly, it rings similar to photography and, with that parallel, addresses one of our other compelling senses. Unfortunately, unless it is music, the wailing of that annoying neighbor, or the sweet sweet sounds of monkeys fornicating, we don't pay much mind to sound. The Seattle Phonographers have this to say:

The Seattle Phonographers Union convene to explore the ways in which we recognize, differentiate, map and navigate our sonic environment. Our intent is to move beyond habitual experience of sound and uncover what is foreign in the familiar and familiar about the foreign; to explore what we hear and relearn what we know.

If you're a fool, you'll discount the above statement as some sort of pretentious, post-Modern, art-school gibberish. But if you're a thinking individual, you'll easily see their point. Much continues to be made in the popular press of the "people with the white wires" disengaging and distracting themselves while riding the bus, say, or walking down the street. We don't entirely buy that hokum. On the other hand, we do believe that, in general, all of us are rather daft when it comes to sound and our sonic environment. Don't believe us? Go outside right now to a busy intersection, close your eyes, and listen for a few minutes. Try to isolate and identify the sounds you hear, especially the tiny ones. No peeking! Alternatively, explain to some what your street or the Space Needle sounds like.

After you've warmed up, head on over to Magnuson Park on Sunday night to further exercise your ears and your head. It's in a large hangar, so the Phonographers Union recommends you bring a cushion or a blanket and maybe a flashlight.

Seattle Phonographers Union
Sunday, September 30, 2007 8 pm
Building 27 at Sand Point, Magnuson Park
directions and map
$5 donation

(image swiped from Zeitgeist Coffee who are not affiliated with this event but who have a great cafe to which you should go)