May | 2012 | The Sound of Raspberries

The other day I hit a sweet spot. For me that’s having my recording equipment with me at just the right moment. I was in the subway station, in a haze of work stress, until the sounds of beautiful music down the platform lifted me out of my funk. Sometimes it just takes one thing–a sound, a picture, a taste–to pull me out of my head and make me appreciate the moment.

I walked to the opposite end of the platform–moving away from the place that would line me up perfectly with the stairs at my destination, which for any frequent subway-commuter is a no-no. (Do you do this too?)

The man playing the music looked so calm, so confident in his abilities. He was definitely sound inspiration for my day!

Take a listen to his music…notice the part where the subway enters the station, barreling through the tunnel. The music just keeps going.

It’s not subway musicians that inspire me…it’s the whole package. Over the near-decade that I spent in NYC, I practically lived on the train (for one year I even endured an hour and 45 minute commute each way–let’s just say that I got comfortable moving through space with lot’s of others). I love hearing different languages, reading over people’s shoulders, imagining what riders could be thinking and where they’re going…

While we’re on the subway subject, here are some subways from around the world. What’s your favorite subway system?

(Photos clockwise from top: Man playing music in NYC subway/Jessica Ilyse Kurn; Mexico City subway 2; Munich Subway 3; Paris Metro 4 & 5; London 6)

And of course my beloved Boston T

Please share some of your favorite subway experiences in the comments!

xoxo,

Jess

PS: Check out these earrings…on my “I want asap!” list.

How to Make: An Ektara

What is an ektara? Ektara literally means “one-string” (also called iktar or ektar) and is a one-stringed instrument most often used in traditional music from Bangladesh, India, Egypt, and Pakistan. In its origin, the ektara was a regular string instrument of wandering bards and minstrels from India and is plucked with one finger. The ektara usually has a stretched single string, an animal skin over a head (made of dried pumpkin/gourd, wood or coconut) and pole neck or split bamboo cane neck. Since dried pumpkin/gourd is out of season and coconuts don’t grow well in the North East, here’s another way of making one from found objects.

It’s a relatively easy instrument to play and is held like a guitar. The sides of the instrument are flexible and by squeezing the sides of the instrument you can change the tension of the string, thus changing the note of the string. In its neutral position, the Ektara plays one note; when squeezed all the way in, it can drop as far as a third, fifth or an octave. The ektara is commonly used in Kirtan and Sufi chanting.

What you will need:

Drill

1 empty can of X

Two pieces of wood – I used thin wood typically used for moldings

Fishing line (the thinner the line the better)

4 screws with 4 nuts

1 paper clip

1 2” eye screw with nut

1 wine cork

1. Cut each length of wood to 23”.

2. Drill a hole in the middle at the bottom of the tin can (see picture).

3. Measure 2 holes on can – first hole should be 2’’ from bottom of can. Bottom of can should be bottom up (aka where you just drilled the hole in the middle) – measure from top of can down 2’’ – mark first hole. Then half inch up, mark second hole. Repeat for the other side of can and drill. Then align wood to each side and make necessary markings and drill. Secure with screws. Check image for reference on how much room to leave on wood near screwed ends.