French Morning, a French online news magazine based in New York City, has featured Stephan Crasneanscki in a May 18 article about the inspiration behind his creation of Soundwalk and why Soundwalk is different from any other audio guide series. The magazine describes Soundwalk’s stages of incubation this way: “Like any great invention, this one began with a madness among friends. Nearly twenty years ago, Stephan Crasneanscki arrived in New York from France to study at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. His French friends regularly visited him in his “dilapidated loft” in the Lower East Side, and, ever the good host, he provided neighborhood guides for them.” Upon deciding to turn these guides into audio walks, consisting of a tape of directions, practical information, and more, the magazine quotes Crasneanscki in remembering, “I had [the listeners] play a role, perform a scavenger hunt or enter friends’ houses, climb up to roofs, take off layers of clothing or buy things.”

Now, with a cache of successes marked by names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Philippe Starck, and the Louvre, French Morning cites Crasneanscki in continuing to insist upon the importance of the human element at the heart of Soundwalk tours, both existing and in development: “I am not interested in the history of the city in general because there are a million guides for that. What we’re searching for in our Soundwalks is something deeply felt, the thrills of joy and of fear.”

Behind each guide, continues French Morning, are “months and months of editing, timing, assembly and testing.” But, as the city changes, they inquire, in what ways does Soundwalk attempt or not attempt to change along with it?  In response, Crasneanscki states, “Like a flower wilts, places close. I’m not looking to reinvigorate these places; the idea is that when a walk dies, it dies. Happily, certain things will never fade, like the Jewish element of Williamsburg. The force of the Hasidic Jews – it is endurance!”

The article closes in mentioning Soundwalk’s and Ulysses’ Syndrome’s presence at the Universal Shanghai Expo 2010, which we’re also very excited about.

Thanks to French Morning for the coverage!

Download the Lower East Side Soundwalk (mp3)

Download the Williamsburg Hasidic Soundwalks (mp3 or iPhone app)