Living in a large city, it can be so easy to tune out the noise of our urban environment. This summer, LMU Assistant Professor of Music David S. Carter decided to give the Los Angeles soundscape another listen and found inspiration in what he heard. The result of his project, which was supported by an LMU Faith and Justice Grant, was a musical composition designed to shed light on the often unnoticed issues of noise pollution and environmental degradation in our neighboring communities of Westchester, Inglewood, Lennox, and Playa del Rey.
Carter’s innovative project is titled Their Own Lane and is the result of meticulously documenting the soundscapes of each area, capturing audio recordings of LAX, freeway noise, construction, and other industrial activities that impact the daily lives of the residents in each area. In addition to the documentation of the actual noise pollution, Carter collected recordings of interviews he did with both residents of the areas as well as those who work in them, adding additional perspectives. As a music theorist and composer, Carter created a composition combining the field recordings and the interviews, which he then combined with video footage of the neighborhoods he studied.
“Noise is a significant issue in these areas. The neighborhoods that receive the most noise tend to be more economically disadvantaged areas,” Carter said in explaining the deep connection between his project and LMU’s commitment to social justice. “There is a definite environmental and social justice component to it – the people in these areas have to deal with this noise all the time, and I felt compelled to draw attention to this pervasive issue.”
Overall, through his documentation, Carter aimed to provide a voice to those affected, bringing often-overlooked perspectives into a larger conversation. “If you don’t live in these areas where there’s the noise all the time, or you don’t live next to the oil fields, then you may not be aware of the day-to-day issues that these present. The impacts on residents can range from annoyance to interference with daily tasks to serious long-term health effects.”
“In this project, David invites the audience, the listener, into a complex nexus of soundscapes and soundtracks at the intersection of music and noise, both the nature and the social construction of sound that punctuates our daily living—with purpose and consequences that are unevenly distributed,” said Bryant Keith Alexander, CFA dean. “He asks us to think through the (city) limits and possibilities of sound in our daily lives, along with the effects and affects on different communities.”
A major component of Their Own Lane was the inclusion of interviews, which provided perspectives from several different people and gave insight into the day-to-day experiences of those living amid constant noise. Those interviewed included an environmental activist, an assistant principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Lennox, the directors of the Residential Sound Insulation Department in Inglewood, and other residents affected by daily airplane and traffic noise.
The project culminated in a final presentation, which took place at the Inglewood Public Library. The intention was to reach as many community members as possible, which was particularly important for Carter. The presentation included a participatory element to immerse his audience, providing listeners with wooden instruments and guiding them in improvisational exercises using the loops and recordings in his final composition. “I had a real mix of different types of ages and people at the initial premiere of the piece, and I’m so pleased with the awareness we raised as a result,” Carter said. “Hopefully, it helps people feel like that they’re being represented in some way and that their voices and experiences are being heard.”
Not only did Their Own Lane document the challenges that noise pollution and environmental degradation bring to surrounding communities, it is also a call for change. As LMU continues to highlight the importance of social justice on campus, initiatives like Carter’s showcase the university and faculty’s dedication to making a lasting impact in the broader community.
Carter’s noise map, audio recordings, and videos used in the final composition can be found on his website.
