On a recent evening in Los Angeles, a group of sound enthusiasts gathered to share and explore the city’s auditory landscape through field recordings. The event, organized by the L.A. Field Recording Club, featured an eclectic array of sounds captured around the city and beyond, ranging from urban noise to nature’s subtler tones.

Founded in June 2025 by musician and radio DJ George Jensen, the club aims to create a community around the often solitary practice of capturing environmental audio. Jensen was inspired to start the group after realizing there was no local organization dedicated to field recording, despite a strong interest in the practice. Since then, the club has grown to about 25 regular members, attracting both seasoned recordists with professional equipment and newcomers who use nothing more than their phones.

The club meets twice monthly for recording outings and listening sessions. Recent excursions have taken members to diverse locations such as Greystone Mansion, a scrapyard in the San Fernando Valley, and the Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale. During these outings, participants collect a variety of sounds—from bird calls and flowing water to mechanical hums and human interactions. For example, at the Sepulveda Basin Reserve, participants recorded natural and urban sounds including mating dragonflies, fish splashing in ponds, and overhead airplane noise.

Listening sessions provide a forum for members to share their recordings and the stories behind them. Jensen encourages contributors to contextualize their sounds, emphasizing that even seemingly mundane noises gain significance through their origins and the moments they capture. One recording featured background chatter from the journey of a lost iPhone still recording audio as it was returned to its owner, underscoring the human and unpredictable element of field recording.

Despite being rooted in a largely solitary activity, the club fosters camaraderie among participants. Many report that recording alongside others makes the experience less isolating and more engaging. Sherman Aline, a club member using an entry-level Tascam recorder, described the process as relaxing and grounding, while professional sound mixer Sam Hamer noted that recording demands focus and stillness, enhancing presence in the moment.

Jensen, who has practiced field recording for over a decade, explains that his primary motivation is not just sound collection but also experiencing places in new ways. He created a radio show, “Los Angeles,” to highlight recordings from both iconic and everyday city locations. He views field recording as a way to make people pause and listen attentively amid the city’s fast pace.

To support its growing community, the L.A. Field Recording Club recently released an official Field Guide—a journal providing site recommendations, recording prompts, and space to document sounds and stories. A forthcoming Sound Map on the club’s website will further extend the reach of these sonic explorations.

Jensen acknowledges that in a time when much media is heavily edited or “doctored,” field recording offers a rare opportunity to engage with authentic, unfiltered sound. This raw connection to the environment, paired with the club’s communal approach, continues to draw participants eager to hear Los Angeles—and the world—differently.