For one man, the New York City subway has become a symbol for lackluster city humdrum. That man is James Murphy. He is known for his role in the band LCD Soundsystem, a recently retired project Murphy fronted for a decade. The music Murphy created was recognized for its innovation in electronic processing and engineering quality as well as an overall intellectual ambiance.
Since his retirement from LCD Soundsystem, Murphy spends his days living in New York City, DJing local events and producing albums for other musicians, like the latest Yeah Yeah Yeahs album. Despite ending his famous incarnation, Murphy can’t seem to escape the music, leading him to develop a venture he has been working on for 15 years.
“Subway Symphony” is Murphy’s attempt at “making the city a slightly nicer place to be.” He hopes to install tone generators in subway turnstiles so commuters produce specific notes each time they enter the transit system. This organically made music would replace the beeps that Murphy finds unpleasant.
As a fan of Murphy’s music and artistic sentiments, I couldn’t agree more with his vision of a more aesthetically pleasing concrete jungle. If anything, “Subway Symphony” is another one of New York’s independent artists using a craft to make people stop and smell the flowers.
Recently, the Metropolitan Transit Authority announced an impending switch from the usual MetroCard payment mode to a “tap and ride” approach, which would allow faster commuter processing. This means a smoother flow of people in busy stations. Murphy sees this procedural change as his chance to push his idea even further for the MTA to consider.
Murphy created a website for the project to boost his idea’s signal to the public. There, he explains that “Subway Symphony” would turn each subway station into its own distinct section. When the system is in full operation, the subway system would become an elaborate orchestra of bell tones. The website includes a petition for supporters to sign. Murphy asks people to consider the project’s economic and industrial feasibility.
Were “Subway Symphony” to be pulled off in the near future, it would be an admirable undertaking for Murphy to have accomplished. His dedication to aurally beautifying New York is basically a grand-scale art project that will, hopefully, be noticed by all who would experience it on their daily commute.