Sounds and the acoustic environment around us play an important part in the forming of a sense-place; sounds are just as important to building a culture, society, and community as the written and spoken language. I grew up very near the train tracks as a child, and sounds of the trains were as common place to me as motorcycles and trucks with no mufflers. When I moved to Windsor, ON, those sounds were replaced by water sounds of the Detroit River and boats, which was quite a culture shock to me. It took me quite awhile to get used to them, though those who I met thought nothing of it.

Very interesting perspective, and that soundscape is definitely important. I typically work from home and the sound of kids playing outside is my new soundscape rather than the humdrum of the office that used to be the backdrop. It took some getting used to, but I love working from home now and find myself to be more productive too.

A distinct scratchy feel to all of the pieces today as you point out and yes that does give a further feeling of nostaglia of what they would have sounded like on a gramaphone or wireless many moons ago.