Secret Microphone in San Francisco Identifies ‘Bops’ on the Streets

In San Francisco’s culturally rich and lively Mission district, music plays an integral role in the daily life of its residents. Everywhere you go, there are songs being played—from the radios of passing cars to local businesses and street performances. Riley Walz, an inventive and resourceful local, decided to capture and share this auditory experience with the world through a creative project he calls the “Bop Spotter.” Installed high on a street pole at an undisclosed location in the Mission, this solar-powered device consists of an old Android phone running the music identification app Shazam. Its mission? To detect and log the music being played in the streets, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and share it with listeners far beyond the district.

What makes the Bop Spotter so intriguing is its simplicity and the way it captures the spontaneous soundtrack of everyday life. Whether it’s a car driving by with the windows down or a nearby street vendor playing their favorite tunes, the Bop Spotter listens intently and identifies songs in real-time. Once Shazam recognizes a track, it uploads the song titles to a website Walz has set up, where people can check in and discover the music echoing through the streets of the Mission. It’s like a live, evolving playlist, offering a unique glimpse into the diverse musical tastes of the district’s inhabitants.

So far, the Bop Spotter has captured an eclectic mix of genres and artists, reflecting the Mission’s dynamic community. On a Tuesday morning, for example, the device logged songs as varied as Taylor Swift’s pop anthem “Wildest Dreams,” Yo Gotti’s hip-hop track “Act Right,” and Aventura’s bachata classic “Cuando Volveras.” The project not only showcases the diversity of the area’s music preferences but also preserves fleeting moments of everyday life in a neighborhood known for its artistic and cultural vibrancy.

In an interview with 404 Media, Walz explained that the Bop Spotter began as a simple weekend project. The entire setup cost him about $100, including the solar panel and the old phone, but the joy and sense of connection it has created far outweigh the cost. Walz, who is passionate about music and technology, had no grand expectations when he installed the device. It was just a fun experiment, a way to use available technology to do something playful and meaningful.

One of his favorite moments since launching the project occurred when the Bop Spotter picked up “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington at 3 AM on a Sunday morning. The soul classic, played in the stillness of the early hours, struck a chord with Walz, adding a layer of nostalgia and emotion to the project. Moments like these demonstrate how music can capture the essence of a place and time, telling the story of a neighborhood through sound.

Ultimately, the Bop Spotter is more than just a quirky tech experiment. It’s a love letter to the Mission district and the rich cultural tapestry that makes it such a special place. By allowing anyone, anywhere in the world, to tap into the music of the Mission, Walz has created a bridge between the local and the global, sharing the unique sounds of San Francisco’s streets with a broader audience. As more people discover the project, it stands as a testament to how technology, creativity, and a little bit of curiosity can come together to create something truly meaningful.