Editor's note: long-time listener and freelance journalist Ian Brill will be contributing a weekly podcast review to the blog called "Podthoughts." I've decided to institute this feature because I feel there's a great vacuum of useful information about podcasts, and a lot of folks who want to make informed choices about what they download. This week, Ian covered "Escape Pod," a science fiction short story podcast produced by Steven Eley.
“Escape Pod,” produced by one-time The Sound of Young America guest Stephen Eley, offers a real service to those who are interested in smart, literate science fiction but are having trouble finding a place to start.
I’ll use myself as an example: Ever since junior high, when my Dad insisted my brother and I spend a few days a month at the library, I’ve gravitated to the works of Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov and Harlan Ellison. Later, I would become interested in Philip K .Dick and Douglas Adams. Each writer matched pointed views of human nature and society with big, imaginative ideas.
More recently, though, it’s been difficult. During my four years working towards a degree in English, I was too busy studying the accepted classics like The Great Gatsby and As I Lay Dying to catch up on any sci-fi – and certainly not any new stuff.
Walking the aisles dedicated to sci-fi in a bookstore or library can be intimidating for a casual fan of the medium. Lining the shelves are dozens of authors who, while prolific, are unknown to anyone not deeply committed to the genre. Even someone who pays a lot of attention to the world of letters may not be familiar with all these works. While there were once be magazines like “If” and “Fantastic” that published short stories and novellas, it’s hard to find any such services today. That’s why you should turn to “Escape Pod.”
It’s appropriate that a new media technology should give new hope to those searching for good sci-fi short stories. Each week on Escape Pod, listeners hear a new short science fiction story, typically from authors who’ve chosen to license their pieces using the Creative Commons license.
Most stories come in under an hour and flow nicely when spoken. It’s clear that Eley is looking for stories that may contain big ideas but still manage to communicate them in a very clear and direct manner. The 100th episode’s reading of “Nightfall,” read by Eley himself, felt like it could have been an audio play. While some of the episodes have actors brought into to read the stories, (Steve Anderson does a great job with Kevin J. Anderson’s “Job Qualifications” in episode 96), it’s Eley who reads a lot of the stories. In “Nightfall” and Bruce McAllsiter’s “Kin” from episode 108 he proves himself to be really adept and creating distinct and interesting voices for all the characters, no matter how strange and alien they may be.
While the readings take up most of the air time Eley does discuss listener feedback at the beginning of many episodes. The listeners all enjoy sci-fi but have different viewpoints on what the genre can give us. These samples of the discussions place the stories in a valued context for listeners not overly familiar with sci-fi.
Bringing these stories into digital audio form – where they can be enjoyed in a car or on a lunch break – is a wonderful use of new media. Literature like this doesn’t have to fall to the wayside because there are more temptations to not read out there. Instead, Eley has found a way to bring these works into the future -- which is where they belong.
Greg Saunier is the drummer of the rock band Deerhoof. Often called "experimental," the group combines a sweet pop sensibility with surprising left turns and complexities. They've toured with Radiohead, Wilco, The Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth, among others. Their new LP is "Friend Opportunity."
In the early 1960s, James P. Coyle and Mal Sharpe roamed the streets of San Francisco, microphone in hand, roping strangers into bizarre schemes and surreal stunts. Today, their humor is a cultural touchstone for artists as varied as Henry Rollins and The Upright Citizens Brigade.
These recordings are from the Sharpe family archive, which is tended by Mal's daughter, Jennifer Sharpe. You can learn more about Coyle & Sharpe on their website or on MySpace. Their recent box set is These 2 Men Are Imposters.
This week, Coyle & Sharpe affect piss-poor French accents and ask an antique dealer if they can smash his goods.
We'll be returning in the late summer once Radio Lab's current run finishes up. They love the show and are super-supportive -- we'll continue to share the slot with Radio Lab, which is one of my favorite shows on public radio.
New Yorkers, mark your calendars, TSOYA will return. In the meantime, podcast!
I'm going to post my interview with Deerhoof's Greg Saunier tommorow. He's a super nice, super interesting dude. In the meantime, watch this nice video they made for the first song on their newest record, "The Perfect Me."
Sa-Ra Creative partners are Taz Arnold, Shafiq Husayn, and Om'Mas Keith, three producer/performers out to revolutionize urban music. Mentored by Dr. Dre, Ice T and Jam Master Jay, admired by J Dilla, Kanye West and ?uestlove, and collaborators with Pharoahe Monch, Erykah Badu and Herbie Hancock, they certainly have a resume auspicious enough to do achieve that goal.
Their new CD, "The Hollywood Recordings," was just released by Babygrande Records, and they're currently preparing a major label release with the help of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label.
Child: Mommy, where do sweet new logos come from? Parent: From Stefan Lawrence, graphic designer and member of the sketch comedy group Elephant Larry, of course!
Podcast: Jordan, Jesse GO! Eps. 24 & 24A: Mike Schmidt Party
This week's Jordan, Jesse GO! is split into two portions for your enjoyment.
Introduction
Jesse, Jordan and comedian Mike Schmidt are in a subway car. Their lives have changed recently -- Mike is no longer on the Never Not Funny podcast, Jordan went to Hawaii, Jesse got a dog and an El Camino.
Real Princesses
Discussion of My Little Pony.
Gym Stories
Mike tells us about the most horrible things that have happened at his gym.
Fights & Fighting
Mike tells us why he spent so much of his life getting in fights. Jesse talks about how he avoided them, except for the time he got punched in the face for no reason.
Outro
Discussion of a new face-off: Shia LaBouf vs. Boof Bonser
Ep 24 A
Star Wars
Jordan attended the Star Wars convention in LA, and has some thoughts. Jesse thinks there was a whole show he used to watch as a very small child about the Ewoks, but he can't remember.
Life's Funniest Moments
Mike discusses what it's like to write for a home video clip show, including a discussion of the stuff you cannot say on the WGN Superstation.
* Review the show on iTunes. * Do you have a dispute Judge John Hodgman can solve on a future broadcast? Email it to us! Put Judge John in the subject line. * Have personal questions for Jesse and Jordan? Call 206-984-4FUN and tell us what they are! * Would you like to play Would You Rather with us on a future episode? Email us or give us a call at 206-984-4FUN.
Call 206-984-4FUN to share your thoughts on these ACTION ITEMS.
Yes! That's my brother Brendan rocking the Maker's Faire in the Bay Area last week. His band, Total Annihilation, annihilated the teeming thousands at the faire, ending with Brendan ripping out a guitar solo while squirming around on his back like an overturned tortoise of rock.
TSOYA listener and Project Breakout finalist Kent Haines made his name with a series of college TV shows called "Elected," which he created with writing partner Matt Vascellaro. Their new project together is a series about college theater called "Upstaged." Check out the first episode above, and click here for more. And if you're a TV producer, give them a million dollars -- seriously, these guys just graduated from college this month.
"Rust, a fungus disease, sapped the
wheat crop. Production of durum wheat dropped from the 10-year average
of 31,547,000 bushels a year to 4,976,000 bushels."
