DAWN BIRDS, LIGHT TRAFFIC, MELODIC MACHINES

A Soundscape

Written and produced by

John F. Barber

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 14, Episode 07

Final draft

DAWN BIRDS, LIGHT TRAFFIC, MELODIC MACHINES

A Soundscape

Re-Imagined Radio
Season 14, Episode 07
Final Draft

Premier broadcast: July 20, 2026

Written, Produced, Hosted by John F. Barber

Post production, original music, by Marc Rose

Lead Graphics and Project Management by Holly Slocum

Graphics and 2D Animation by Claire Leyden

Social Media strategies by Caitlyn Kruger-L'Esperance

Announcing and YouTube strategies by Rylan Eisenhauer

Synopsis
This episode kicks off "RiR Workshop," an experimental series from Re-Imagined Radio. We're expanding our audio storytelling with radio theatre, soundscapes, sound walks, and sound spas.

This episode is a soundscape with a twist: after being stolen, hidden, and returned, soundscapes recorded by John Barber in Dubai, Vancouver, and Victoria have been woven into a calming audio tapestry. Titled "Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines," this curated listening experience leaves you feeling refreshed and relaxed. Re-energized for what lies ahead.

Credits
All sounds recorded by John Barber.

Color Code
Yellow highlighted text = sound effect(s), either pre-recorded or live.

Magenta highlighted text with strike through = text deleted for episode timing

MUSIC = pre-recorded

MUSIC = bespoke, created for this episode

OPENING
SFX: "DAWN BIRDS, LIGHT TRAFFIC, MELODIOUS MACHINES" BEGINS. ONCE ESTABLISHED, DUCK AUDIO AND CONTINUE UNDER THE FOLLOWING.
HOST OPEN
HOST
Hello everyone, and welcome to "Re-Imagined Radio Workshop," an experimental series focusing on radio theatre, soundscapes, sound walks, sound spas, and other forms of sound-based storytelling. Episodes are meant to encourage active listening to sounds around you and imagining stories in what you hear.
For more information, visit our website, reimaginedradio dot fm.
SFX: FADE UP CONTENT, LET ESTABLISH, THEN DUCK UNDER AND CONTINUE FOR THE FOLLOWING.
HOST
This episode is a soundscape with a twist. Soundscapes, recordings of sounds heard at specific places and times, are systematically stolen by a secret cabal, while daring liberators find and return them!
A cache of stolen soundscapes was discovered hidden in a cave behind Undine Falls, Yellowstone Park.
Each soundscape was imprisoned in an empty Chambord whiskey bottle and sealed with a corn cob plug, according to officials.
The shadowy Secret Society for Sonic Sobriety claimed responsibility for the auditory heist. Their radical manifesto--to cleanse the world of unwanted soundscapes--will continue, they say, as they ruthlessly purge any soundscape that fails to uphold their cult-like sacred scripts. Brave "Sonic Soldiers", they vowed, would continue these audacious operations.
The cabal has met its match, however, in Captain Craig McKenzie and the crew of the submarine Omega who have located and rescued soundscapes hidden in abandoned subway tunnels, lava tubes, isolated fields, decaying attics, and inside civic monuments.
Turning the rescued soundscapes over to Yellowstone authorities, McKenzie declared [QUOTE]...
SFX: VOICE OF CRAIG MCKENZIE
MCKENZIE
"We are far afield from our headquarters in Latitude Zero, but we will travel to the ends of the Earth to return stolen soundscapes."
"Soundscapes preserve the unbreakable bond between peoples and the lands they inhabit. The Society wants centralized uniformity, a lack of variety. We believe in sonic differences and individual identities. We will prevail" [UNQUOTE].
Among the soundscapes rescued were three recorded by John Barber in Dubai, Vancouver, and Victoria. Barber wove them into a single sonic tapestry, basing the narrative on mechanical and environmental sounds, rather than human dialogue.
This curated listening experience is designed to leave you feeling refreshed. Relaxed. Re-energized for what lies ahead. Get comfortable and listen as Re-Imagined Radio presents "Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines."
SFX: FADE UP CONTENT AND CONTINUE UNTIL PROGRAM HALF-WAY POINT.
SFX: AT 28:00 TO 32:00, WHEREVER THERE IS A CALM POINT IN THE CONTENT, DUCK CONTENT AND CONTINUE UNDER THE FOLLOWING.
LISTENING BREAK #1, ***
HOST
This is John Barber. Thanks for listening to "Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines." It's part of a series called "Re-Imagined Radio Workshop," and meant to encourage imagining stories in what you hear around you through active listening.
*** KAAD tag
Special thanks if you're listening on KAAD-LP, 103.5 FM, Sonora, California, streaming at KAAD-LP.org.
*** KNOM tag
Special thanks if you're listening on KNOM, 780 AM, Nome, Alaska, Yours for Western Alaska.
*** KXRW tag
Special thanks if you're listening on KXRW-FM, 99.9, Vancouver, Washington. Vancouver's Community Radio, streaming at KXRW.fm
*** KXRY tag
Special thanks if you're listening on KXRY-FM, 99.1 and 107.1, Portland, Oregon, streaming at XRAY.fm
*** Galloway's Star 24 tag
Special thanks if you're listening on Galloway's Star 24 Community Radio, Galloway, New Jersey, streaming at gallowaystar24.com
SFX: FADE UP CONTENT AND CONTINUE TO NEAR END.
SFX: DUCK CONTENT AND CONTINUE UNDER THE FOLLOWING.
LISTENING BREAK #2
HOST
You're listening to "Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines," a soundscape by John Barber.
For more information about listening opportunities, including our podcast and YouTube channel, visit our website, reimaginedradio DOT fm
SFX: FADE UP CONTENT BRIEFLY, THEN DUCK AND CONTINUE UNDER THE FOLLOWING.
HOST CLOSE
HOST
Our episode is "Dawn Birds, Light Traffic, Melodic Machines," by John Barber. A sonic tapestry created from soundscapes recorded in Dubai, Vancouver, and Victoria. I hope you enjoyed listening.
Episodes of Re-Imagined Radio are produced in collaboration with The Electronic Literature Lab at Washington State University Vancouver, and are broadcast and streamed by partner radio stations around the country.
Connect with us through social media, our podcast, and our YouTube channel.
HOST CREDITS
HOST
THANKS to Marc Rose for sound design, original music, and post-production.
Holly Slocum for project management and lead design.
Evan Leyden for graphic design and 2D animation.
Rylan Eisenhauer for announcing and YouTube strategies.
Caitlyn Kruger-L'Esperance for social media strategies.
Episodes of "Re-Imagined Radio Workshop" are meant to encourage active listening to sounds around you and imagining stories in what you hear. More episodes are coming. I hope you'll join us.
I'm John Barber, producer and host. It's a pleasure sharing this episode with you. Thank you for listening.
SFX: FADE UP CONTENT AND CONTINUE TO END.