An interview about the sounds of the subway
I went into the 66th Street-Lincoln Center subway station and created a 20 second recording of 1 train entering the station. I, Lina, asked Emma, a fellow Macaulay student, what these sounds meant to her.
My question: “Do these sounds remind you of your own experiences growing up in NYC?”
Emma: My earliest memories are of me taking the subway. Listening to the audio reminds me of when I was very young, still in a stroller, and my mom was trying to get us through the door in the station into the train. I’m reminded of the snacks she would give me, which were usually cranberries. This recording brought me to the sour taste of the fruits she would give me on the train. I think taking the train is an experience shared by many New Yorkers, so I would say it’s an integral part of my identity as someone who grew up and lives in NYC.
My question: “Which sounds are familiar or unfamiliar to you?”
Emma: The sound that struck me the most was the screeching of the train wheels on the tracks. It is the most jarring sound, but it is very characteristic of the experience of taking the train. Just as New Yorkers have an identity, the trains themselves also have an identity. Each train line is unique, and furthermore, each train itself has its own charm. Hearing these screeches of the train on the tracks makes me think of my previous thoughts about locomotives. There are bullet trains that are quick and silent, but the trains of the MTA are loud and eccentric, just as New Yorkers are. They are full of life. Some have orange seats, while others bear blue ones. The 6 line has its iconic diamond and circle.
My question: “What kinds of feelings do these sounds evoke?”
Emma: Firstly, nostalgia. As I said before, I have so many memories of taking the train throughout my entire life. But besides thinking about the past, I also think of the future of the MTA. The subway system in NYC has so much history, and some would say since it is so old some of its technology is outdated. How will these rapid changes be adapted to? I also think about how vast the system is. Each train line can take you to very different places across the city. There’s a unique journey starting every time you step on a train in New York City.
