On 2015Dec05 I met up with some friends in Seattle. This was a bit of a reunion as all of us had attended our mutual friend’s wedding in Savannah, GA, back in October. We had planned a multi-faceted evening – celebrating one of our party’s birthday and all of us going on a ghost tour. Why a ghost tour? Because Savannah is alleged to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S. and Seattle has its own share. So, in the spirit of Savannah, we went on a ghost tour.
After dinner on the Seattle waterfront we made our way into Pioneer Square – the historic location where Seattle began. Our tour started in part of the old Seattle underground at Seattle Ghost Tours. We sat through a brief introductory lecture by our tour-guide, Adrian – an engaging and humorous fellow, adorned in eclectic black garb complete with silver spurs. After that we transitioned to the walking tour.
We splashed around on wet streets, sidewalks, the square, and down alleys. From time to time we tucked into spots where Adrian plied us with history, tales of death, and strange goings-on. Early in the tour I wondered if I was a member of an awkward group subscribing to a horse-&-pony show. Between Adrian’s delivery and my own knowledge of early Seattle history, I instead quickly found myself enticed.
As we made our rounds, Adrian asked the group various questions of a predominantly ghost-relative nature. When no one spoke up, I responded drawing from my sorted familiarity on the topic … which was about half the time, so I made myself look like I’m well versed in the subject matter along with being a big-time ghost nerd.
Zoom H2n
Among Adrian’s questions, the subject of E.V.P. recordings came up. E.V.P., or Electronic Voice Phenomenon, are generally viewed as when and where something (and by ‘something’ I mean a ghost) that was not physically present makes a sound during a recording session. Usually these sounds are speech, and often these sessions are held intentionally where a person talks and trying to engage any possible present ghosts. I like weird stuff, and I’ve watched more than a few ghost-hunting TV shows (and things on Sasquatch, UFOs, etc).
During these episodes I noticed that the brand and model of recording units frequently used is one of the ones I own and use – a ZOOM H4n. My ZOOM H4n has served me well for both A.O.R. recordings and my music work. This was all the more amusing as I happened to have my recently-acquired ZOOM H2n in my back-pack. The H2n is an ideal unit for field recording – and by the very nature of having it with me I look liked all the more of a ghost nerd. Oh yeah, I came on this tour ready to do my own E.V.P. session, because surely on the tour is a prime opportunity for recordings. I’m a ghost nerd, GREAT!
Zoom H4n
The tour took us to a number of places around Pioneer Square – apparently it’s quite haunted – ultimately wrapping up back at the Seattle Ghost Tours underground HQ. Before leaving I got to talk with some of the staff members about doing E.V.P. recordings. I asked why I see the ZOOM H4n frequently used, what sort of device settings it needs for E.V.P. recordings, other brands/models of units used, and where to find more information on doing E.V.P. recordings. Yep, ghost nerd.
Now … WHY DID I ASK ABOUT THIS?
PAY ATTENTION because this is the main reason why I wrote this post …
Of the different A.O.R. recording projects I have thought to do, recording what-should-be quiet places and seeing what I get has come to mind. After having this ‘quiet places’ idea, it occurred to me – with a half-grin smirk and a “wouldn’t it be neat if …” wonder – that such recordings could produce E.V.P. occurrences. I mentioned while talking with the to the Seattle Ghost Tours staff that my grandparent’s house – a historic landmark where some murders are understood to have taken place – is considered to be haunted. It now belongs to my parents and so far as I know I am slated to inherit it.
Do you see where I am going with this?
Here’s the dichotomy … On one hand, I have a potential E.V.P. recording location entirely at my disposal. On the other hand, if I held E.V.P. recording sessions there and did get something, then I know what I’m getting into when I inherit the house — and maybe ignorance is bliss.
So here’s where I give the tidy wrap-up to this post – where I say that the Seattle Ghost Tour(s) was great, I had a good time, you should go too, etc etc. This leaves everybody is happy, and tonight we’ll all sleep well in our respective beds. Okay, so that’s the healthy cynicism one can have about blogging – but really, I did enjoy it and would recommend the excursion. I was pleased and piqued with the tour, and I found it added to my knowledge of early Seattle history and my experiences coming from the Seattle Underground Tour. If you ABSOLUTELY think that anything with ghosts is hooey, then don’t spend your time or money – but if you have even just ONE question, ONE experience that makes you think that ghosts may exists, then go … like me, you’ll probably enjoy this tour!
Your Ghost Nerd,
Don
