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Homestead Radio Offers Sounds Of A Sparrow

POSTED: 4:38 pm EDT October 8, 2007
UPDATED: 6:28 pm EDT October 8, 2007

When you drive into Homestead using the Homestead Grays Bridge, you'll see something interesting on the left-hand side of the road. A freshly painted building asks drivers to tune into 102.9 FM.

The station plays soothing sounds of a sparrow.

The Steel Valley Arts Council is responsible for broadcasting the sound of the sparrow. They said they're renovating a small section of Eighth Avenue at the Homestead Grays Bridge and part of their artsy influence includes putting art on the radio.

"It's a small signal," said Eric Sloss of the Arts Council. "It doesn't violate any FCC regulations, and it goes to maybe a three-block area."

So if you tune in, you'll only hear it within three blocks of the Eighth Avenue Homestead Grays Bridge intersection.

Jon Rubin and John Pena create the sounds you've never heard for 102.9.

Rubin is as associate professor of art at Carnegie Mellon University. Pena is a graduate student.

"The dusky seaside sparrow, which is a sparrow that's been extinct for 20 years," said Rubin. "Before it was extinct, it was recorded."

"When you're listening to the radio, you're hearing other music, talk radio, hitting the scan button, hearing all these different things and then silence and then chirping," said Pena.

Next week, the two plan to play the sound of the rivers.

"We're going to get on a row boat, find out where the three rivers meet, drop microphone down there and record it," said Pena.

The Steel Valley Arts Council encourages the public to suggest some creative sounds.

To make a suggestion, e-mail soundsyouneverheard@gmail.com.


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