All posts in Audio Arts

January 8, 2021

“The Green Horizon” by Paul Walsh

Hello Fictional Café listeners and welcome to 2021! Our first podcast for the new year will be “The Green Horizon” by Paul Walsh. The Green Horizon is a Lovie Awards shortlisted sci-fi audio comedy that focuses on a ne’er-do-well Irish space captain and his rag-tag crew as they traverse a war-torn galaxy in search of fame and fortune. Sonya has always dreamed of exploring the universe and flying among the stars, but when an unfortunate fight with her supervisor causes her to be unemployed, Sonya has to find new ways to make her dream come true. A chance meeting at the local employment center could be the answer to all of Sonya Halley’s problems, does she have what it takes to join the crew of the Green Horizon? But with no other jobs available, what…

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November 23, 2019

“Oblivity,” The Saturday Night Podcast

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Podcasts

We’re excited to bring you a top-notch podcasting team from the British Isles in performance here at the Cafe. They’re called Oblivity, and that’s the eponymous title of their production as well. “Oblivity” is about a disgraced war hero who’s posted to the remote ice plains of Pluto (think banned, punished, relegated, etc.) It’s her toughest mission yet: to oversee a small, dysfunctional research team. Then it starts to get humorous. Cate Nunn plays Commander Falconer, and Hannah Wilmshurst is First Officer Christy. Hey, more fun, a female crew! What? Oh, yeah, sorry! Also starring Max Windich as Officer Burney and Ash Hunt as Officer Lowell. Here they all are. Tonight, please listen to the trailer and the first two episodes of Season One. If you like what you hear, you can slide over to…

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October 30, 2019

“The Hound” for Halloween

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Audio Arts, Podcasts

Welcome . . . if one chooses to willingly enter into H.P. Lovecraft’s horrific universe . . . to an audio reimagining of “The Hound” by Micah Delhauer. Ruby Fink, FC’s Audio Arts Barista, said of it: “This is a brilliantly done audio performance which totally creeped me out even during the day! I’d recommend putting up a warning, “not for the faint of heart.” So consider yourselves warned. I recommend you turn the lights out, put on your headphones, and immerse yourself in some great audio storytelling. Featured Image credit: “The Hound” by Gou Tanabe, a talented and well known Japanese artist, and illustrator, from his manga book H.P. Lovecraft’s The Hound and Other Stories. Please click on the arrow below to listen to “The Hound.” About the Audio Auteur: Micah Delhauer is a…

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October 18, 2019

Halloween’s A-Coming, But We’re Starting Tonight!

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Audio Arts, Podcasts

We’ve received a number of very cool Halloween drama submissions in anticipation of Halloween, so we decided to give you Coffee Clubbers a twofer! The first is tonight, in our regular Saturday night podcast slot, but the second will be published on October 31, Halloween night. Tonight’s story is called “Opferung,” from Lightning Bolt Theater: In the town of Earl Grove, there is a legend. No one will talk about it, except for one night, the night of a total lunar eclipse. But is it merely mass hysteria affecting the town or does she exist, this Sorceress of Blood Moon Hill. “Opferung” was written, directed, produced and stars Krystal Donahue in the roles of Natalie and the Sorceress of Blood Moon Hill. Hey, this is fun! And don’t forget, there’ll be more podcast fun right here on Halloween night at…

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September 14, 2019

“The Brass Lantern,” A Zany New Saturday Night Podcast

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Audio Arts

The Time: The near future. The place: Beacon City. The Scene: A world where insurance companies own the police and the uninsured have no recourse. The Guy: Matthew Arnold, who fights as The Brass Lantern for those who cannot fight for themselves. Mortal enemy of John Countryman, the wickedest man alive. Elaina Dare, Matt’s fiancée, is the only living person who knows about his dual identity. Blazing guns. LOTS of guns. Nerves of steel. An illuminated mask of brass. Crime has nowhere to hide from this beacon [sic] of justice. Put on those headphones and . . . Click the arrow below to listen to Episode 1, “The Devil’s Diner.” If you’ve enjoyed this first episode, you can listen to all 12 on Apple Podcasts, right here. Our thanks to the multi-talented artist and creator,…

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August 17, 2019

“Juno Steel,” A Great New Audio Arts Adventure

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Audio Arts, Member Writing & Art, Podcasts

We’re delighted to introduce Penumbra Podcasts to Fictional Cafe – especially upon learning we’re all more-or-less Boston creative types. Penumbra is making truly excellent podcasts, or audio arts as we like to call them because that term brings out the multiple dimensions of this work: excellent scripts, high-quality studio recording and mixing, and really delightful foley work (sound effects to you listeners). But let’s hear what the Penumbra people have to say for themselves: “We’ve always loved stories, whether they be science fiction, swashbucklers, high fantasy, horror, or mystery. We grew up passionately reading, watching movies and TV, and playing video games. But eventually we started to notice that a lot of the stories we consumed were the same ones over and over again, and we got tired of it. “Why did every boy and…

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July 27, 2019

“Dixon and Sparks” – A Great New Audio Arts Adventure from ZBS

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Member Writing & Art, Podcasts

It’s always a pleasure to welcome ZBS back to the Fictional Cafe, and tonight is no exception. For your listening delight, we present all eight episodes of “The Night Has Begun,” a Dixon and Sparks radio drama. ZBS audio is very high quality, so headphones are recommended. We’re also very happy to display Genevieve Shapiro’s artistic talents in the featured image (so like a record album cover) here at FC again. Genevieve, in addition to her art for ZBS audio works, created the featured image for ten-year-old Joy Son’s very first published short story, “Princess Olivia.” Thank you for sharing your art with us, Genevieve! The story: Polly Parker believes someone has put a curse on her fiancé, Clifford Barnett. Clifford and his partner, Alan Hendrix, are what’s called headhunters — they find executives to run…

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July 6, 2019

The Saturday Night Podcast: “Kinetic Fortress: A Narrative Interrupted”

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Podcasts

As William N. Robson used to say on the “Suspense” radio dramas, “Listen . . . Listen, then . . .” as we present a surreal, ultra-contemporary podcast by JoAnne Maffia. A pseudo-biographical narrative, it delves into the mind of a woman trying to understand her identity in a world that, she feels, forces her to defend and justify it. As she grapples with her creative demons, her mind has become a kinetic fortress leading to what appears to be . . . but that’s for you, the listener, to determine. Listen, listen then, to “Kinetic Fortress.” Originally broadcast on PRX, used here on FC with the author’s permission. https://www.refoundsound.com/radio-works “Practise07” featured art painting by Tadao Ando, https://www.deviantart.com/taodao/art/practise07-319848260

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June 22, 2019

“Wuthering’s” – The Saturday Night Podcast

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts

Hi, Podcast Fans! Last week our podcasters were from Australia. This week, they’re from England! Having creative people who present their work from around the globe is awesome for us, and awesome for you, too! This is a double treat for Fictional Café because tonight’s podcast, “Wuthering’s” is set in a fictional café as well! In the auteur’s own words: “A new scripted comedy podcast set in Wuthering’s, a fictional cake shop in St Paul’s, London. Mr Wuthering, Jack Hatton and Emily Richpin contend with contemporary life – and a 17th century ghost.” Herewith Season One, in six episodes. They’re each under half an hour, so imbibe as you wish, all at once or at your leisure. Wuthering’s is Classic British humour, so enjoy, you blokes! Production Notes: Mr Wuthering is played by Kit Smith,…

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June 15, 2019

“Six Cold Feet” The Saturday Night Podcast

Posted by Jack B. Rochester in Audio Arts, Podcasts

We’re quite delighted to present a superb new podcast series tonight, “Six Cold Feet,” from the pen of J. M. “Josh” Donnelan, an Australian poet, novelist, and podcaster. This podcast is exceedingly well produced, with multiple character portrayals, sound effects, and narration. Headphones are highly recommended. Quite as captivating as if you were watching it on Netflix with your eyes closed, haha. ‘Six Cold Feet” is the story of a guy named River as he searches for his sister Harmony, who has suddenly and inexplicably (and painfully) disappeared. Herewith the first three episodes. If you like what you hear, visit the Six Cold Feet website and learn how/where to download all ten episodes, and listen to the author’s site recommendations at the close of each. Before, during or after you listen, take a moment to reflect…

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