Tag Archives: David Goren

David Goren’s numbers station piece featured on 99% Invisible

99invisible-logo-itunes-badgeWe’ve mentioned “Shortwaveologist” David Goren on the SWLing Post multiple times. David is a talented radio producer who also happens to be a life-long avid shortwave radio listener.

One of David’s productions, Atencion! Seis Siete Tres Siete Cero: The Mystery of the Shortwave Numbers Stations, first aired in 2000 as part of the NPR series Lost and Found Sound. It’s a richly layered soundscape, a sonic journey woven together by David’s narration and a series of interviews in a form of personal documentary–and it’s simply inspired.  This piece caught the attention of Roman Mars, producer of my all-time favorite podcast, 99% Invisible. I’m pleased and proud to report that 99% Invisible‘s latest podcast features this brilliant numbers station piece of David’s.

For those of you who don’t know, 99% Invisible now has, deservedly, one of the largest listenerships in the podcasting world. A version of their show is also produced and aired over NPR. This piece will give shortwave radio significant exposure, and in turn make it a little less…well, invisible.

Intrigued?  Join us–and begin by listening to David’s feature.  Either subscribe to 99% Invisible via your favorite podcasting software, download the show as an mp3, or simply listen on 99% Invisible‘s website by clicking here.

ShortwaveologyLogoBe sure to check out David Goren’s updated website Shortwaveology.net which has an array of his own audio productions as well as a sound clips and a listener’s (b)log.  It’s terrific.

PS–If you would like to meet David in person, plan to attend his annual listening event: the Shortwave Shindig at the Winter SWL Festival in Pennsylvania (you have registered for the annual SWL Fest, right?).

David, we look forward to any and all of your future work (rumor has it that he’s working on Shortwaveology #3)…Stay tuned!

Starting tonight, Radio Progreso on shortwave

Radio-Progreso-CubaAccording to Arnie Coro at Radio Havana Cuba, the Cuban medium wave broadcaster Radio Progreso will begin an “experimental” shortwave broadcast on 4,765 kHz from 00:30 till 04:00 UTC on October 1st, 2013. For those of us living in North America, this broadcast will begin at 08:30 PM EDT tonight.

I will attempt to listen and record the broadcast tonight.

Many thanks to David Goren for the tip and for Bryan Mangawhai’s original report to DX lists.

Shortwaveology #2 now on SoundCloud

Radio producer and shortwave radio artist, David Goren, has recently posted his 2008 production of Shortwaveology #2 on Soundcloud. If you like the sonic texture of the shortwaves, you’ll love this recording:

Perhaps if we badger David enough–say, on his Facebook page, or on his Soundcloud feed–he’ll produce Shortwaveology #3? Hey, it’s worth a try!

Wait a minute.  You haven’t heard Shortwaveology #1? Take a listen:

In the spirit of full disclosure, David’s a good friend. That is, he will be, until he figures out that I’m asking readers to heckle him into producing another installment of his ongoing work, Shortwaveology. Oh, what the heck; friends come along every day, Shortwave installments don’t.  Let’s hound him! (Whatcha waiting for, David?)

David Goren’s numbers station installation audio

DG-Performance-ShortwaveTwo months ago, I posted that David Goren, talented radio producer and shortwave radio artist, created a Numbers Station installation in the Secret Wars exhibition at the Proteus Gowanus gallery in Brooklyn, NY.

David has recently published the audio that accompanies his installation.

Take note that this is not a radio documentary–rather, it’s an expansion of his original piece, and part of his sound installation at Proteus Gowanus.  Enjoy:

Secret Wars exhibition features shortwave radio artist David Goren

DG-Performance-Shortwave

David Goren, performing at the 2010 Megapolis Audio Festival

For readers living near Brooklyn, New York, make a point to visit the Secret Wars exhibition at the interdisciplinary gallery, Proteus Gowanus.

Radio producer, sound artist, and die-hard shortwaveologist, David Goren, will host a talk/listening session about numbers stations, clandestines, propaganda stations, rebel takeovers of stations and all things radio obscure on Saturday, January 19th at 4:30 pm.

Goren is not only a good friend but a rare talent with an exceptional mastery of radio sound texture. I hear he’ll even be signing napkins (possibly babies). You really can’t miss this opportunity. His numbers station-inspired installation is titled: “Atencion! Seis Siete Tres Siete Cero”: The Mystery of the Shortwave Numbers Stations

Details:

Proteus Gowanus
543 Union Street (at Nevins)
Brooklyn, NY 11215

Opening: Saturday, January 12th at 7:00 pm

Talk/Listening session: Saturday, January 19th at 4:30 pm

Gallery Hours

Thursday & Friday, 3–6 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 12–6 pm

718.243.1572

Click here for a map and directions

Willis Conover’s Jazz: A secret weapon in the Cold War

David Goren, Shortwaveology author and producer for Jazz at Lincoln Center, released a JazzStories Podcast today featuring VOA broadcaster, Willis Conover. Willis Conover is a noted name in both Jazz music and international broadcasting. His characteristic deep and articulate voice guided many shortwave listeners behind the iron curtain, into the realm of Jazz music.

Here is the description of the podcast from  Jazz at Lincoln Center:

During the Cold War with the Soviet Union, the United States had a secret weapon: Willis Conover’s “Jazz Hour,” carried on the shortwave radio signals of The Voice of America across Russia and Eastern Europe:. Starting in 1955 and running for over forty years, ‘Jazz Hour’ nurtured generations of jazz musicians who grew up under the restrictions of Communism. On this edition of Jazz Stories we hear Willis Conover and two outstanding jazz musicians, Czech bassist George Mraz and Russian trumpeter Valery Ponomarev – both of whom learned about jazz from his broadcasts.

You can preview this podcast on the Jazz at Lincoln Center podcast page (look under “Jazz and the Cold War”) or simply subscribe and download it on iTunes.

Archived BBC 4 documentary on Lincolnshire Poacher

A friend recently sent me this archive site of a BBC documentary from 2005 that tracks the Lincolnshire Poacher and other numbers stations.

If you’re unfamiliar with numbers stations check out our previous post on the subject–and be sure to listen to David Goren’s production, “Seis Siete Tres Siete Cero“.

Along with pirate radio stations, I think numbers stations are one of the most sonically interesting catches we find while cruising the ether.  When I happen upon one, no matter what language, I end up listening to them for way too long. Indeed, I do the same with WWV, but that’s a different story.

Want to hear the Lincolnshire Poacher live? It can be a bit tricky, but learn where they broadcast by visiting this page and set the memories on your radio to scan those frequencies.

Happy hunting!