a life in sound by THE LISTENING PLANET
This series aims to take listeners on an epic and intimate journey through the natural world, all through the medium of sound and at the same time we want to enable a rare glimpse into the life of a man who recorded everything you’re about to hear, one sound at a time.
Martyn Stewart has spent his lifetime on a mission: to record the natural sounds of our planet. It’s a story that will take us from a council estate in Birmingham England and ultimately take him to every corner of the planet. From Belize to the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, from Denali to the Galapagos, to some of the most inhospitable locations geographically and politically. He will be attacked by lions and crocodiles, arrested in Japan for filming the annual dolphin slaughter and then find himself in long periods of isolation, in remote corners of the world waiting for 30 seconds of a that perfect sound. This is ultimately a love story – dedicated to our natural world and to the people who spend their liv
In this special episode of A Life in Sound from The Listening Planet, Martyn Stewart returns to England for a journey that is at once deeply personal, profoundly nostalgic, and unexpectedly historic. Fresh from receiving an OBE from King Charles at Windsor Castle for services to nature, Martyn joins Amanda for an intimate conversation about honour, homecoming, and the soundscapes that first taught him how to listen.
In this immersive journey through Scandinavia, legendary sound recordist Martyn Stewart and host Amanda Hill explore the raw, untamed beauty of the North. From the creaking glaciers of Norway to the geysers of Iceland and the thunderous storms of the Faroe Islands, Martyn shares stories from decades of fieldwork—mic’ing up waterfalls, surviving hurricane winds, and capturing the eerie, majestic songs of wolves, moose, and reindeer. They marvel at the choreography of humpback whale bubble-netting, laugh about microphone-laden decoy ducks, and close with the serene magic of the Norwegian dawn chorus. It's a cinematic, soulful celebration of nature's voice and our deep connection to it.
Scotland: Where the Wind Remembers
At 2 AM, Martyn Stewart knew exactly where he needed to be—on the beach, listening. The waves rolled in like an old song, wrapping around him in the way only nature can.
What if the natural world could compose a symphony? Join us as we explore this captivating question in our latest episode featuring Martyn Stewart and singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer ONR.
Welcome to another special episode brought to you in collaboration with Biophonica.
On August 30th 2024, 'We Are Biophonica' was launched out into the world. For the album, Peter Raeburn collaborated with Martyn Stewart and The Listening Planet team. In this conversation, we learn more about the journey they went on together, how it all began and how this beautiful collaboration has transformed them both.
Join us for another A Life in Sound special with Martyn Stewart and Rapper, DJ, Zoologist, Musician, Presenter| Reconnecting diaspora to 🌿| BBC Creator in Residence NHU | Musician Louis VI.
Have you ever felt the profound beauty and sorrow that nature's soundscapes can evoke? Join us in a heartfelt conversation with Martyn Stewart from A Life in Sound and composer Peter Hall as they talk about their new collaboration called Loved & Lost.
Six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador in the open ocean, a volcanic archipelago straddles the equator. The Galapagos Islands, forged of black lava and named for the giant tortoises that are among their most noted inhabitants, are like no other place on Earth. Home to a profuse array of unique wildlife, the islands offer an immersion in nature that feels primeval. Iguanas and blue-footed boobies share the beaches with us, unfazed by our presence. Giant tortoises amble through our private camp, their golden eyes looking out from wizened faces. Inquisitive sea lions play with us in the clear turquoise water, as Galapagos penguins dart by and sea turtles glide past. Author Herman Melville, who visited the islands in 1841, shortly after Darwin's momentous visit, called them the "Enchanted Isles"—an apt moniker for a realm that remains otherworldly, even today.
Embark on an aural expedition with Martyn Stewart, as we traverse the lush landscapes of Belize, uncovering the rich tapestry of sounds that define this vibrant country. We rapidly escape the buzz of Belize City for the serene seclusion of Pine Mountain Lodge. . Feel the pounding heart of the tropical thunderstorm, and chuckle along with Martyn's quirky mnemonic for the short-billed pigeon's call. Experience firsthand the acoustic challenges he encountered while recording the symphony of birdlife, bat calls in Orange Walk, and the enchanting nighttime frog chorus, all while reflecting on the dangers of bandit-populated roads that necessitate military escorts.
When Martyn Stewart first heard the word "cancer" in relation to his own health, his world was upended. Yet, as he reveals in our latest episode, it was the start of a journey that transformed his understanding of life, death, and the power of human resilience. We share a compelling and intimate conversation that transcends the typical narrative of struggle, focusing instead on Martyn's evolution through his battles with prostate cancer, his confrontation with mortality, his unwavering determination to live each moment to its fullest despite the odds and the role that nature has provided throughout.
In this epsiode, Martyn Stewart, transplants his life from the verdant landscapes of Washington State to the lush tropics of Playa Pelada in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We'll be entranced by the dawn chorus, where howler monkeys and the symphony of birdsong announce the break of each day. We'll then venture deep into the untamed heart of the Osa Peninsula and experience it's raw and untamed beauty. From the songs of the melodious blackbird through to the haunting calls of the invasive cane toad and the gentle patter of rain on the lush foliage, listeners will experience the exhilarating challenge of capturing the rich tapestry of aural biodiversity. Martyn's narrative offers a masterclass in the art of nature audio recording, where every sound, from a chirping bird to a distant thunderclap, contributes to the majestic symphony of the rainforest.
The Arctic Wildlife Refuge is truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. It's home to a wide range of wildlife, including iconic species such as polar bears, caribou, Arctic foxes, muskoxen, hundreds of migratory birds, and many others. It also supports diverse habitats, from coastal lagoons and wetlands to alpine tundra and boreal forests.
Since Martyn began his epic journey, 75% of the landscapes and soundscapes that he’s recorded have vanished, been silenced, or suffered significant degradation. Since the age of 8 years old, he has been an activist. Fighting to safeguard the natural world. This episode will take us from Vegas to Africa, into Montana then onto Taiji, to the Vatican and into Gadami.
Since Martyn began his epic journey, 75% of the landscapes and soundscapes that he’s recorded have vanished, been silenced, or suffered significant degradation. Since the age of 8 years old, he has been an activist. Fighting to safeguard the natural world. This episode will take us from Vegas to Africa, into Montana then onto Taiji, to the Vatican and into Gadami.
To introduce ‘A life in Sound’, Martyn circumnavigates the globe through 7 major themes. We’ll explore the sounds of his youth, what it is to feel Awe, Close calls in the Masai Mara, Activist encounters in Taiji, sounds he didn’t expect to record like the heartbeat of a tree, moments that almost got away from him… and all the way back to LOVE.
For over 50 years, Martyn has travelled the world, microphone and recorder in hand (and insect repellent nearby). It’s a solitary, driven passion that he dates to his childhood “fascination” with the fauna and flora around him in the suburban Midlands. It’s his dedication, however, that ultimately resulted in him being renowned as the David Attenborough of sound. In this episode we go back to where it all first began.
