New York City is famous for many things – the Statue of Liberty, the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, to name a few. But the city runs on its subways. Former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy has a dream: to turn the sound of New York’s subway turnstiles into music.After over 15 years of trying to bring the Subway Symphony to life,Danish beer giant Heineken has taken an interest and is helping turn this dream into reality.
<iframe width=”500″ height=”340″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/045gRD7b8bI” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
Inspired by soothing sounds in subway systems in Tokyo and Barcelona, Murphy envisions turning unpleasant turnstile “beeps” into musical notes. Each turnstile would feature a four-note sequence that would harmonize with other turnstiles. Entering the subway could then become almost a symphonic experience.The idea is that every subway station will feature its own unique piece of music.
<iframe width=”500″ height=”340″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/GghraxhIvvE” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>
Murphy is working with various groups to find solutions to objections posed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the entity in charge of New York’s subway system. This weekend the project the public can experience this musical possibility.Opening in partnership with the Lowline Lab, this excitingly cool free demonstration will run through 2016.