Best Dark Gravity Studios Podcasts (2025)

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The Pirate Republic Presents: Pirates of the Wild West (Audiobook) — Chapter One 34:14

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2h ago34:14

34:14

Welcome to a special audiobook presentation from The Pirate Republic. In this episode, I begin releasing the complete audiobook of Pirates of the Wild West, the first novel in my Storm of Time series—one chapter at a time, every week, right here in the podcast feed. Chapter One: The Pardon opens in Nassau Harbor in 1718, where Blackbeard and the mo…

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Christmas Under the Black Flag - A Pirate Christmas: How Outlaws Celebrated the Holidays at Sea 16:01

18h ago16:01

16:01

🎄🏴‍☠️ A Pirate Christmas: How Outlaws Celebrated the Holidays at Sea Christmas under the black flag wasn't silent—but it was meaningful. In this special episode of The Pirate Republic, we explore how pirates may have celebrated Christmas aboard their ships: rum-soaked feasts, music on deck, games of chance, moments of nostalgia, and rare pauses in …

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Guess That Sound 2025: Youtube Channel Champs 46:45

8d ago46:45

46:45

For our sixth annual Mystery Sound game show, we’ve invited three guests from our video series to test their sonic knowledge on 18 sounds, including production logos, video game FX, bird calls, strange instruments, and more. So put on your listening cap and get ready to guess along in this surprising and hilarious competition. Featuring Jake Hartsf…

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The Sound of Fallout: From Iconic Games to Prestige TV 41:52

22d ago41:52

41:52

Behind Fallout’s apocalyptic sci-fi and retro nostalgia is a masterclass in sound design. In this episode, we explore how the audio teams behind both the video games and the TV series built Fallout’s signature sonic identity, from Pip Boy clicks to weapon blasts to mutant roars. Along the way, we uncover how the show’s creators honored the classic …

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Black Flag Black Friday: How Pirates Stole the Biggest Deals in History 15:00

26d ago15:00

15:00

In this explosive episode of The Pirate Republic, we dive into the Golden Age's wildest bargain hunts — the kind paid for in blood, not coin. Join us as Blackbeard nabs the greatest "Black Friday deal" the seas ever saw, Calico Jack steals a captaincy by mutiny, and Anne Bonny and Mary Read stare down the noose with unshakable defiance. If you're a…

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Defying Gravity: The Audio Wizardry of Wicked's Live Vocals 32:21

1M ago32:21

32:21

In movie musicals, the vocals are almost never recorded live on-set. Instead, the actors pre-record their songs, then lip sync to those recordings while filming. But on Wicked, they threw out the rulebook, and recorded all of the lead vocals live. In this episode, Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes reveals how they pulled off this audio feat. From …

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The Secret Soundtracks of Movies & TV 45:01

2M ago45:01

45:01

In the ‘60s and ‘70s, world-class musicians gathered in smoky studios to record tracks that you couldn’t buy in a store… but ended up everywhere. In this episode, Dallas and the TTH crew dive into the golden age of production music: versatile cues crafted for everything from car chases to romantic montages to space odysseys. Along the way, they unc…

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Inside Imagineering: How Sound Powers Disney Magic 25:41

2M ago25:41

25:41

Sound is a crucial part of what makes Disney parks feel magical… and it all starts inside the closely-guarded rooms of Walt Disney Imagineering. In this episode, Imagineers John Dennis and Greg Lhotka break down how they use music and audio to bring attractions to life, from speaker systems hidden in rock work, to the intricate timing of a Frozen w…

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Live from New York, I’m Retired! SNL’s Sound Legend Signs Off 35:39

3M ago35:39

35:39

Behind Saturday Night Live, there’s a small army of audio professionals making the whole thing sound effortless. In this episode, Dallas goes behind the scenes at Studio 8H to meet Robert Palladino, who’s mixed SNL for 40 years… and is about to do it one last time. Along the way, he gets an unprecedented look at how this legendary show is mixed, an…

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The Nursery Rhyme That Ruined a Rock Band 32:47

3M ago32:47

32:47

When a quiz show host asked a simple question about nursery rhymes, it seemed like harmless fun. But that moment triggered a lawsuit that would threaten to bring down one of Australia’s most iconic rock bands. In this story from the Cautionary Tales podcast, we follow the unlikely court case of Men At Work’s “Down Under,” exploring the fine line be…

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Sound Off (Gold): Transit Tunes & Childhood Chimes 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

We’re proud to present the winning entries from our Sound Off competition: five listener-made short stories that rose to the very top. From clever tinnitus tonics to melodic subway signals, from mischievous church bells to a guitar that speaks in whispers, this Gold Collection is rich with emotion, originality, and sonic craft. Twenty Thousand Hert…

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Yahoo! The Yodel Heard Around the World 25:39

4M ago25:39

25:39

It’s one of the quirkiest, most iconic sonic logos ever: a four-note vocal flourish that defined the early internet. In this episode, we follow the Yahoo Yodel on its unlikely journey from the snowy Swiss Alps to ‘90s country bars to Super Bowl ads. Along the way, we meet the real-life cowboy behind this yodel, whose voice launched a billion clicks…

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Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece 33:14

5M ago33:14

33:14

From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fu…

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Sound Off (Silver): Pinball Pings & Airport Acoustics 30:20

5M ago30:20

30:20

Presenting the second short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring five pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the sonic evolution of pinball to reused classical melodies to the battle against airport noise, this Silver Collection is a diverse and enlightening set of snackable stories. Twenty Thousand Hertz …

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Mixing Madison Square Garden for Vulfpeck’s Biggest Show 38:52

6M ago38:52

38:52

When Vulfpeck played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, the performance looked effortless. But behind the scenes, their Front of House Engineer and Tour Manager Jake Hartsfield was juggling missing tickets, technical curveballs, and mixing seventeen dynamic musicians through a nearly two-hour set. In this episode, we follow Jake through one …

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The Music of Jeopardy! From a Lullaby to $100,000,000 25:10

6M ago25:10

25:10

It’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t originally written for a game show… It was written for a toddler. In this episode, we trace the unlikely journey of the Jeopardy theme, from Merv Griffin’s living room to over 10,000 episodes across six decades. Along the way, we explore the show’s sonic evolution, …

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Sound Off (Bronze): Siren Calls & Medical Melodies 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

Twenty Thousand Hertz is proud to present the first short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring six bite-sized pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the dawn of recording to the sonic secrets of thunder, from mythic sirens to melodic medicine, this Bronze Collection offers a first taste of the breadth and …

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The Wickedest Pirate City Sinks Beneath the Waves - The Tsunami of Port Royale 19:21

7M ago19:21

19:21

The Pirate Republic takes a look at the history of pirates and the interviews with experts and members of the sub-culture of pirates in the real world. Join Bryan, the writer of Pirates of the Wild West as he embarks on a journey into the past and present of the world of piracy. Season 2, Episode 10 arrives in Port Royale in 1692. The very heart of…

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I interviewed 5 other Dallas Taylors and things got weird 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

Your name isn’t just a label. It’s a signal to everyone who meets you, filled with meaning that you may not fully understand. In this story, Dallas revisits one of the most surreal experiences of his life: tracking down five other people who share his exact name. What follows is a surprising look at identity, coincidence, and the curious ways that …

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Mix Notes: Dumb Farts, Alien Crickets & Junkyard Instruments 28:31

8M ago28:31

28:31

Behind every incredible sound in a movie or TV show is a creative person with a unique story. In this episode, Dallas heads to the legendary Sony Pictures lot during Mix Magazine’s “Sound for Film & TV” event, and invites Hollywood’s sound pros to share their wildest, weirdest, and most heartfelt sonic stories. The result is a grab bag of eye openi…

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The Real Pirate Who Inspired Jack Sparrow | Jack Ward a.k.a. 'Birdie' 13:34

8M ago13:34

13:34

The Pirate Republic takes a look at the history of pirates and the interviews with experts and members of the sub-culture of pirates in the real world. Join Bryan, the writer of Pirates of the Wild West as he embarks on a journey into the past and present of the world of piracy. Season 2, Episode 9 arrives in the port of Tunis, in North Africa then…

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The Deaf Composer: How Beethoven wrote music he couldn’t hear 28:39

8M ago28:39

28:39

What happens when one of history’s greatest composers begins to lose the very sense he relies on most? In this episode, we explore how Ludwig van Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music even as his world fell into silence. Along the way, we uncover the myths, inventions, and raw determination that fueled Beethoven’s defiant creativity, a…

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The Sonic Brand Makeover We Didn’t Know We Needed 41:59

9M ago41:59

41:59

After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song. In this episode, they take us inside the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional process of making a new one. Along the way, they get brutally honest feedback from top music critics, craft over a hundred layers of …

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Inside Apple: Sonic Accessibility 33:10

9M ago33:10

33:10

If you want to know where the future of sound is headed, accessibility is a great place to look. And for decades, Apple has been leading the charge in accessible technology. In this episode, the Apple team breaks down the philosophy and craft behind their most impactful accessibility features. Along the way, we reveal how these innovations have tra…

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“In a World…” The epic evolution of movie trailers 24:11

10M ago24:11

24:11

Movie trailers have changed dramatically over the decades, from the classic “Voice of God” narrators of the ‘80s and ‘90s, to today’s thunderous “bwaahs” and “boojes.” In this episode, Dallas and producer Andrew Anderson take a deep dive into the evolving art of trailer sound design, breaking down the most iconic trends and overused tropes. Featuri…

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“The Autumn, She’s Been Hit!” The wish that changed Halo forever 44:05

10M ago44:05

44:05

In the late ‘90s, Brian Johnson and Brian Morden were suburban teenagers obsessed with video games and music. And then, through an extraordinary wish, the two friends found themselves on a journey that made gaming history. In this episode, we explore how a single line of dialogue became a timeless piece of Halo lore, and the profound impact it had …

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Solar Symphony: Listening to the Sun’s hidden “music” 34:34

10M ago34:34

34:34

What sound can teach us about our Sun? In this episode, we explore how NASA scientists translate electromagnetic waves from the Sun into sound, and even music. Through this process, researchers are gradually unlocking the Sun’s secrets, from the steady “hum” of the star’s rotation, to the way that solar winds “play” the Earth’s magnetosphere like a…

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Speaker Terror Upper: When Bass Tapes shook the streets 29:03

11M ago29:03

29:03

In the late '80s and early '90s, a seismic subculture shook the streets… literally. “Boom Cars,” decked out with custom sound systems, roamed neighborhoods blasting the bassiest music ever recorded. But where did this movement come from, and why did it fade away? In this episode, we dive into the world of Miami Bass, dB Drag Racing, and the infamou…

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Radio Station Jingles: 80 Years of Earworms 35:25

11M ago35:25

35:25

If you turn on the radio, there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to hear: a catchy, over the top jingle proclaiming the name and call letters of the radio station. But where did these little tunes come from? Who makes them? And why are they still so common? In this episode, we explore the history of radio ID jingles, and pack in so many earworm…

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Guess That Sound 2024: Sound Pro Smackdown 44:26

1y ago44:26

44:26

For our fifth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, Dallas invited three friends from the world of professional audio to compete against each other. So crank up the volume and see how many sounds you can guess. Featuring Dialog & ADR Editor Austin Olivia Kendrick, Sound Designer Mike James Gallagher, and Sound Designer Zachary Quarles. Twenty Thousand He…

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Dog Translation Guide: Decoding Barks, Howls, & Growls 39:42

1y ago39:42

39:42

We all know that dogs are smart, sensitive creatures, but interpreting their vocalizations and behaviors can still be a challenge. In this episode, animal behaviorist Daniel Mills reveals the true meanings behind dogs’ noises, actions, and body language. Then, author Pilley Bianchi tells the story of Chaser, the border collie who became known as “T…

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Cat Translation Guide: Decoding Meows, Purrs, & Chirrups 38:44

1y ago38:44

38:44

Cats can be very vocal creatures, but the exact meaning and intention behind these sounds can often be hard to read. In this episode, cat behaviorist Sarah Brown unpacks the hidden meanings behind cats’ vocalizations, body language and behavior. Then, veterinarian Kendra Baker takes us through her journey with Billi (AKA “Her MADjesty”) the cat who…

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The Voices of Bluey w/ Uncle Stripe 27:35

1y ago27:35

27:35

Despite Bluey’s enormous, global popularity, the cast and crew are a tight-knit family, often literally. In part 2 of our story on Bluey, the show’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm breaks down the surprising connections between the voice actors, the real-life inspiration behind classic episodes, and how he ended up voicing a key role on the show…

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The Organic Sound of Bluey w/ Sound Designer Dan Brumm 30:04

1y ago30:04

30:04

Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has become one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of all time. In this episode, Bluey’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm walks us through how the show began, the unique challenges of season one, and the lengths he goes to give the show its organic sound. Plus, Dallas reveals the secret timing of the Bluey them…

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"Blah, blah, blah" and the Ungooglable Phrase 27:20

1+ y ago27:20

27:20

“Blah, blah, blah” and “yada, yada, yada” have had plenty written about them. But there’s a longtime cousin of these phrases that’s much less understood. We use it all the time, yet it’s not in the dictionary. It’s not even Google-able. In this episode, we investigate the linguistic mysteries of the Five Dah Phenomenon. Featuring linguist & philoso…

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Pirate Jean Lafitte is the subject of a new novel from Norman Woolworth 36:03

1+ y ago36:03

36:03

The Pirate Fan Club takes a look at the history of pirates and the interviews with experts and members of the sub-culture of pirates in the real world. Join Bryan, the writer of Pirates of the Wild West as he embarks on a journey into the past and present of the world of piracy. Season 2, Episode 8 arrives in the port of New Oleans to discuss the b…

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Lofi Girl: The story behind 📚 beats to relax/study to 31:15

1+ y ago31:15

31:15

The Lofi Girl YouTube channel has over 14 millions subscribers, and at any given time, tens of thousands of people are listening together. Created by a mysterious French producer named Dimitri, the channel features a 24/7 livestream of an anime girl studying in her room, listening to lofi hip hop. In this episode, we dive into the Lofi Girl lore, c…

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How Doctors Listen: A sonic journey through the body 23:27

1+ y ago23:27

23:27

The sounds our bodies make can tell doctors all kinds of surprising things about our health. In this episode, we unpack the history of sound in medical diagnosis, from Hippocratic times, to the invention of the stethoscope, to the specialized tools and AI systems used today. Along the way, we’ll hear detailed recordings of these medical sounds, and…

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The Sound of Apple: Marimbas, Radars & Reflections 26:21

1+ y ago26:21

26:21

In Part 2 of our deep dive into Apple’s iconic sound design, the Apple Design Team unpacks the iPhone’s trio of default ringtones, the evolution of their alarm sounds, the UX sounds of the AirPods Pro, and much more. Along the way, legendary beatmaker Flying Lotus breaks down his collaboration with Apple, and the Design Team reveals how they use ha…

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The Sound of Apple: Tritones, Chords & Origins 27:04

1+ y ago27:04

27:04

Over the last few decades, Apple has produced some of the most recognizable sounds ever made. In this episode, the Apple design team pulls back the curtain on their sound design philosophy and process, from the evolution of the classic “Tritone” alert, to the surprising origins of the Apple Watch sounds, to the inspiration behind the latest notific…

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The Kraken Barrel Tavern's Captain Iron Crow Interview! Pirate Invasion Long Beach CA Event 43:21

1+ y ago43:21

43:21

The Pirate Fan Club takes a look at the history of pirates and the interviews with experts and members of the sub-culture of pirates in the real world. Join Bryan, the writer of Pirates of the Wild West as he embarks on a journey into the past and present of the world of piracy. Season 2, Episode 5 brings Eric Vonhunter to the deck of Pirate Fan Cl…

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Listener Stories: Auditory hallucinations & family whistles 22:48

1+ y ago22:48

22:48

For this special episode, we’ve passed the mic to our listeners to hear six unexpected stories about sound. Featuring auditory hallucinations, amplified heartbeats, long remembered voices, and whistles both strange and familiar. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound. Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you…

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The dark history of nursery rhymes 43:42

1+ y ago43:42

43:42

Many of the songs we sing to our children are hundreds of years old, with their original meanings obscured by history. In this episode, producer Leila Battison takes Dallas on a dark, surprising journey through history’s most famous nursery rhymes and lullabies, and up through the “Baby Sharks” and “Happy Songs” of today. Along the way, they share …

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Pirate Fan Club | Pirate Legend Olivier Levaseur & His Famous Pirate Treasure & Mystery 15:36

1+ y ago15:36

15:36

Ahoy mates, welcome aboard to another episode of The Pirate Fan Club Podcast where we delve into the legends and lore of pirate Olivier Levasseur, better known as La Buse or "The Buzzard." This scallywag's tale be filled with daring deeds, hidden treasures, and mysterious cryptograms. So batten down the hatches, grab yer grog, and let's set sail on…

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Sounds of the Deep: Mysteries and threats beneath the waves 24:30

1+ y ago24:30

24:30

Whale songs are some of the most beautiful, cathartic sounds in nature. These extraordinary creatures use sound to socialize, to mate, to find food, and avoid predators. But for aquatic animals, the sounds of human activity can be absolutely devastating. With underwater noise pollution on the rise, what can we do to ensure the survival of these ama…

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Boom Bling: TikTok's sonic guerrilla marketing 23:04

1+ y ago23:04

23:04

TikTok’s sonic logo is one of the fastest growing sonic logos in history. Today, that little sound is being heard millions of times a day on apps like Instagram, Reddit and Youtube… but creating it wasn’t easy. To make it, the creative team went through thousands of iterations, executed a covert marketing strategy, and fought through a final debate…

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Mixing Seth Meyers: Behind the sound of late night TV 26:36

1+ y ago26:36

26:36

The sound of Late Night television is a complex beast with many moving parts. In this episode, we step inside the daily hustle of Broadcast Mixer Fred Hedemark as he and his team bring the sound of Late Night with Seth Meyers to life. Along the way, Fred reveals the highs and lows of working on a high-adrenaline, live-to-tape TV show, and shares so…

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Untranslatable Words: Guess That Meaning! 26:30

1+ y ago26:30

26:30

What do you call it when you’re homesick for a place you’ve never been? Is there a word for letting books pile up in your house without reading them? How about weather that looks beautiful out the window, but that you wouldn’t want to go out in? For this episode, we worked with Babbel to bring you our second annual Untranslatable Words challenge. I…

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Inside Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Studios 47:44

2y ago47:44

47:44

Hans Zimmer is responsible for some of the most iconic film scores of the last 35 years. So how does one person create so much amazing music? It turns out, he doesn’t do it alone. In this episode, Hans Zimmer’s incredible team pulls back the curtain to reveal their extraordinary creative process, and uncover the secrets behind the otherworldly musi…

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Hidden Sounds of America: NYC Hum & Underground Organ 28:24

2y ago28:24

28:24

All over the world, there are unique and breathtaking sounds that you can only hear in one specific place. In this episode, we travel to two of the most astounding sonic wonders in the United States. The first is a hidden sound installation in Times Square that might be the most visited art exhibit on Earth. The second is an enormous organ built ri…