CitySounds.fm: the sound of the world

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Travelers often think of destinations in terms of what they see: the Eiffel Tower lit up at night, the gaudy neon of the Las Vegas Strip or the fiery pink of a sunset in Tahiti. Yet it’s our other senses – the smells, tastes and particularly for music fans, the sounds that can truly stick in our subconscious, evoking vivid memories of our journey. Those in search of some “sonic wanderlust” need look no further than CitySounds.fm. The new site promises an ever-changing catalog of the world’s constantly moving global beat.

On any given day, people in cities all over the world are listening and making all kinds of music. CitySounds pulls in this music from some of the world’s most populous capitals like Tokyo, New York, Sao Paulo and London, categorizing the tracks based on where they were uploaded. The result is a constantly evolving (and surprising) snapshot of what’s hot in what places. In Berlin, for instance, it might be some techno. Meanwhile in Buenos Aires, they’re bouncing around to ska (?!). Down in Atlanta though, they’re all about the newest hip hop remix.

While there are plenty of services that help you find new music, CitySounds is probably among the first to categorize based on location. And if you think about it, geography is the perfect way to organize for a generation of highly mobile, travel-hungry, music fans. Check out the site the next time you’re eager to hear the latest and greatest sounds from around the globe.

[Via PSFK]

The Gambler is a Hit Worldwide

by Martha Edwards on

When I saw this article on Kenny Rogers’ song The Gambler inspiring the England Rugby team to make it to the world cup, I was transported back to a far-off land — Southeast Asia to be exact — where I sat in the back of a bumpy truck, trying to teach a bunch of Brits and Northern Irish the words. Come to think of it, I’ve done this more than once — The Gambler is one of those songs that’s iconic the world over, even though few actually know all the words. It’s just one of those songs that the entire English-speaking world seems to love, and when it comes to be known that I’ve memorized it, I’m an instant hit.

And I can see why it’s such a popular song — it’s full of sage wisdom that can be applied to life, whether gambling’s your thing or not. In fact, it’s a song about travelling and the advice garnered from a stranger on the train. So next trip you go on, take some advice from The Gambler:

  • Never count your money when you’re sittin’ at the table: Showing off how much wealth you have when you’re in a poor country can land you in trouble.
  • The secret to surviving is knowin’ what you throw away and what to keep: Apply this to your backpack. Carrying too much stuff might not kill you but it will make for some real unpleasantness.
  • Know when to walk away and know when to run. Use this piece of wisdom when you’re out on the town — sometimes it’s just time to call it a night, you know? Especially when there’s a potential ladyboy involved.