We rounded up three of June’s most noteworthy sound-related stories to keep you in-the-know this summer.

Combatting Climate Change with Sound

Climate change remains a hot topic and has inspired communities large and small to combat it in their own ways. Jonathan Gilmurray is the author of “Ecological Sound Art: Steps Toward a New Field,” a look at artists who have created works based on the sounds made by melting glaciers. Gilmurray argues that ecological sound art – incorporating naturally occurring sounds with or without modification and other elements – can be effective in motivating people to combat climate change.

One of these sound artists is Katie Paterson, whose work allows audiences to dial a number and listen to a mic submerged in a lagoon in Iceland. Listeners can hear the Vatnajökull iceberg melt in real time. Paterson hopes the sounds become a cry for help and elicit an emotional reaction from her audience. Both Gilmurray and Paterson want sound art to inspire action on this important global issue.

Record Like a Pro ‘On-the-Go’

Guests staying at The W Hollywood now have the opportunity to experience the latest W Sound Suite – a private music studio and writers’ room where guests and musicians can record like pros. The sound studio is the second of its kind in the United States – the first U.S. space opened in Seattle in April. Last year, Bali debuted the first international W Sound Studio.

The idea for the sound studio came from Chicago-based DJ White Shadow, who also serves as the W’s North American Music Director and works with artists like Lady Gaga.

The soundproof space is equipped with the latest in sound technology. W Hotels has partnered with Native Instruments and Shure to furnish the studio with state-of-the-art equipment, including an all-in-one DJ system, a Yamaha acoustic guitar and a Fender Jaguar bass.

Body Art You Can Hear

Tattoos have long been a form of expression, but thanks to developments in sound technology, a piece of body art may soon be able to speak volumes – literally.

Los Angeles-based tattoo artist Nate Siggard has developed Skin Motion, an app that creates tattoo designs from audio clips, which can be played back on your phone. The app works by creating waveform patterns from audio clips up to a minute long. Siggard anticipates the app being especially meaningful for those looking to memorialize a loved one.