Pisces season (Feb. 19- March 20) is the most dynamic and important time to breathe slowly and listen deeply. The sun thaws parts of ourselves we forgot over the cold and dark months. I invite you to listen to these soundscapes that I recorded on location — nine spots where you can hear the divine as winter wanes. For as long as you can, listen deeply.
Is it snowing? The moisture in the atmosphere, mixed with fluffy snow in the air and on the ground will muffle everything. You might hear deafening silence.
Is it icy? The air is dry with no water particles to stop sound waves from traveling. And the ground is a frozen plate reverb, so you will hear ghostly echoes for miles.
Is it 60 degrees? You will hear birds and kids and mud and your own blood pressure drop.
Are you inside? Listen to the other humans in your neighborhood blooming with you.
The beauty of this kind of weather is that you can go to any of these spots and have a different aural experience.
1. Saraga International Grocery, 3605 Commercial Drive
The culinary diversity in Saraga is so vast, no matter your cultural heritage, you will discover something new. In Saraga, you will hear electric hums from so many coolers, punctuated by busy patrons speaking different languages, with background music that changes as you navigate to different parts of the store.
2. The Idle – A Point of View, 800 Virginia Ave.
One of my favorite ways to finish a Friday night in Fountain Square is to spend an hour or two sitting and staring into the void at The Idle. Located just south of Fletcher Place, the Idle is an immersive art installation where you listen to the traffic of I-70 converge with the traffic of I-65.
Listen deeply and you will hear the ultimate Hoosier delight: swooshes of cars speeding down the highway. Don’t forget to bring your favorite road trip snacks.
3. Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary at Eagle Creek Park, 7840 W. 56th St.
Exit I-65 on 71st Street, like you are going to Eagle Creek Park, but take a right. About three miles up the road on the left, you will find miles of protected wetlands, bisected with trails at the Scott Starling Nature Sanctuary. It’s free!
Listen to your own footsteps crunching, the groundwater slowly thawing and trickling, leaves rustling and deer nibbling on their lunch. In this recording, you will hear a high pitched static sparkling a mixture of groundwater and leaves. It was truly mystical to be immersed in it.
4. Dream Palace Books and Coffee, 111 E 16th St.
I had the best coffee drink yet of 2024 here, when barista Jace Jackson made me a “Burning Love.” It tastes like orange oil, cardamom, espresso and cinnamon. And the sounds of the coffee art created: absolutely divine!
Stop into this wonderful new queer coffee shop and bookstore and hear drinks being made with love, trans poets reading from their hearts, and Herron High School students sharing the latest gossip about who Trinity from 3rd-period chemistry is thinking of dating now.
5. Fall Creek Corridor Trail, 2201 Doctor M.L.K. Jr. St.
There are so many great spots to jump on this 7-mile trail running up the northeast side. Start at the spot highlighted on my map (at the bottom of this page), across the street from Harbor Pointe apartments. Head across the bridge and into the tree tunnel.
Listen deeply in this tranquil slice of forest and find the best spot to hear Fall Creek falling down — this part of the trail hugs the backside of the restaurant Jamaican Breeze, so not a sound, but the grill smell adds incredible ambiance year-round.
6. The Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive
On Thursday nights, you will hear actors rehearsing for Shakespeare plays; photographers discussing their latest shots; music lessons for guitar, piano, voice and oboe; and art instruction in various media. Taking all this in together is more interesting than any symphony. My recording features two GPAC instructors Kathy Kilgo (voice and piano) and Paul Brock (guitar).
7. Watson Road Bird Preserve, 900 Watson Road
Maybe the best-kept secret spot in Midtown, the Watson Road Bird Preserve is just south of 38th Street on Watson Road. Established in 1925, it’s the city’s oldest bird sanctuary. Sit at the bench in the middle of the park to hear woodpeckers, American goldfinches and northern cardinals sing duets with ambulances, 97 Toyota Corollas, and other 38th Street traffic.
8. Belmont Beach, 2020 N. White River Parkway Drive West
It started as a pop-up park commemorating the impromptu swimming hole residents created in polluted water, due to segregation and environmental racism. But the initiative has transformed his land once again into a vibrant space for community gathering. Hear the White River flowing, airplanes flying, students playing across the street and neighbors enjoying the park.
9. Parlor Public House, 600 E. Ohio St.
Premium Blend plays from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursdays here, just east of the circle. There is no cover, and bottles of wine are half price. The ambience is lush and nourishing. I can’t recommend this one enough — whether you need a self-care night or want to impress a date. Listen deeply and hear the hottest jazz ensemble around, glasses clinking and cute peers spouting wine-inspired nothings.
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