How We Cancel the Noise: Mack Hagood on Sound, Tech, and Attention
Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman
11/15/25
•75m
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I really enjoyed this opportunity to speak with Mack Hagood, author of Hush: Media and Sonic Self-Control, to explore how we use sound to manage our minds, moods, and modern lives. From white noise apps and noise-cancelling headphones to tinnitus and sound therapy, Mack helped me understand the complex relationship between media, technology, and the human need to tune in (or out). We discuss the surprising cultural history behind everyday sonic tools — from the 1964 Sleep-Mate sound conditioner to Irv Teibel’s visionary Environments recordings, to Dr. Amar Gopal Bose’s 1978 flight epiphany that led to noise-cancelling headphones. Mack reflected on teaching “The Smartphone in Society,” and concerns with both social media and streaming platforms. Towards the end of this conversation he explained why started his podcast Phantom Power and how his childhood in New Orleans eventually led him to the new field of sound scholarship.
Complete Show Notes with all the links!
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:34) life as a guitarist, Pinetop
(05:47) tinnitus
(15:32) first white noise machine Sleep Mate
(22:54) Hush: Sonic Media and Sonic Self-Control, Irv Teibel environments series
(30:36) Bose noise-cancelling headphones
(35:30) Edison Realism test, how our listening is culturally conditioned
(41:03) other linked episodes and ways to support this series
(41:47) soundscapes, R. Murray Schafer, field recordings
(45:14) podcast Phantom Power
(49:02) Walkmans, consumption of music, white noise apps
(52:14) The Smartphone in Society, social media
(59:08) why Mack got into podcasting as a sound scholar, Liz Pelley, problems with Spotify
(01:08:07) how he became a sound scholar
Previous Episode
Michael Stephen Brown: Composer and Pianist with Album Preview Twelve Blocks
November 9, 2025
•66m
Michael Stephen Brown is both a fantastic pianist and composer, and in this episode you’ll be hearing some excerpts from his upcoming album Twelve Blocks, which is a very personal project for him of chamber music and solo piano pieces. You’ll hear the stories and personal connections with each of these works that he’s composed. He shared his experiences at several inspiring arts residencies including living in Aaron Copland’s house unplugged from the internet, his close friendship with the late Shirley Perle, and his research into Felix Mendelssohn’s relationship with Delphine von Schauroth and her compositions. We talked about the importance of removing the stigma from getting therapy and providing more affordable access to mental health support to those in the performing arts through his support of Creative Care. and his longstanding collaboration with cellist and comedian Nick Canellakis; you’ll also be hearing a clip of one of their performances. At the core of this interview are Michael’s broad interests and how he reflects his curiosity and love of storytelling in his creative work. There’s lots more to this in-depth episode, and all the music you’ll be hearing is composed by Michael; have a look at the show notes for all the links.
Photo: Sofian Kahn
(00:00) Intro
(02:31)learning composition and piano from age of 5, teachers Rothgarber, Julliard, Lowenthal, Adler
(06:16) 12 Blocks with clip, Ursula Oppens, Jerome Lowenthal
(08:32) more previews of 12 Blocks with clips, Osmo Vänskä, Erin Keefe, Yaddo residency, Lake Alan, Love’s Lives Lost, Susanna Phillips, SPA trio, Paul Neubauer
(18:35) inspiration from poetry and personal relationships, clip Breakup Etude for Right Hand Alone
(21:45) McDowell artist retreat, Carnival of Endangered Wonders
(29:23) Andràs Schiff mentorship
(31:05) Delphine von Schauroth and Felix Mendelssohn
(34:55) other linked episodes and how to support this series
(35:50) Aaron Copland residency
Next Episode
Yolanda Bruno Celebrates Jeanne Lamon: The Story Behind Dear Jeanne
November 22, 2025
•71m
Canadian violinist Yolanda Bruno spoke to me about her new album Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, which both honour the late Jeanne Lamon, the renowned baroque violinist, and Music Director of Tafelmusik for 34 years. Yolanda explains how she explores the story of Jeanne’s 1759 Santo Serafin baroque violin, which was generously loaned to Yolanda for one year. You’ll hear a few clips from the album, including Jeanne’s masterful string trio arrangement of Bach’s iconic Ciaccona, as well as a taste of a Leclair duo with Julia Wedman, another important mentor for Yolanda, and a work by Beth Silver honouring Jeanne’s Dutch-Jewish heritage.
Yolanda reflects on what it means to live more sustainably with her partner, the accordionist Michael Bridge, who was previously featured on this podcast. She shared how her her annual project Music for Your Blues has impacted her life, as well as a very memorable experience performing in a high-security penitentiary, which taught her about connection and dignity, and the value of live music. I also wanted to shine a light on Yolanda’s brilliant first ablum, The Wild Swans, featuring 11 women composers, recorded with pianist Isabelle David. You’ll hear short excerpts by Lera Auerbach and Kelly-Marie Murphy. We end the episode with Yolanda’s insights about avoiding burnout by achieving balance in her life using the idea of longer cycles of time, which I loved.
Complete Show Notes with All the Links!
photo: Curtis Perry
(00:00) Intro
(02:34) Dear Jeanne and her film The Immortal Serafin, Jeanne Lamon, Tafelmusik
(12:25) Jeanne’s arrangement of Bach Ciaconna with clip (Yolanda with Julia Wedman, Christina Mahler - J.S. Bach Ciaccona from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
(15:46) film The Immortal Serafin, living more sustainably and mindfully, Michael Bridge
(24:39) the process of buying the Serafin, Jaak Liivoya, Bill Monical
(30:56) how Yolanda started playing baroque violin, meeting Jeanne
(34:41) clip of Jean-Marie Leclair Sonata for Two Violins in D Major, Op. 3, No. 3, ii. Allegro, lessons with Julia Wedman
(38:00) other linked episodes and ways to support this series
(38:50) Leclair, Beth Silver, Jeanne Lamon’s Dutch-Jewish heritage
(44:16) musical family, The Wild Swans album, Lera Auerbach with clip Lera Auerbach - 24 Preludes for Violin and Piano, op. 46: No. 9 in E Major (Allegro)
(51:38) Kelly Marie-Murphy The Swan Parapraxis with clip Kelly-Marie Murphy - The Swan Parapraxis, Carmen Bruno cello The Wild Swans album, Katherine Dowling
(55:22) Music for Your Blues, reading, memorable concerts
(01:02:37) performing for incarcerated audience in a penitentiary, Jean Rohe, Diane Schoemperlen
(01:07:04) studying in England, balancing life in annual cycles
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