Earth Focus

The PBS series Earth Focus delves into the intricate connections between Southern California’s natural landscapes and urban development. Each episode explores a specific location, including the Los Angeles River, Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Mojave Desert. The series’ soundtrack, composed by Elori Saxl, underscores the emotional narratives of these places, emphasizing the interplay between humans and nature and the impact of human-constructed environments. Drawing inspiration from artists like Alice Coltrane and Hiroshi Yoshimura, Saxl crafted the music using digitally manipulated recordings of water and wind, analog synthesizers, MIDI samples, and processed woodwinds performed by Stuart Bogie (clarinet, bass clarinet, flute). This unique blend of sounds evokes the musical heritage of Los Angeles and the overall ambiance of wind, sun, and Southern California culture. The music loosely references the psychedelic and dreamlike sounds often associated with Los Angeles’ past and present. However, it incorporates a modern twist, blending real and synthetic elements to reflect the contemporary and increasingly palpable sense of precariousness surrounding the human-built landscape throughout Los Angeles and its neighboring regions