New Episode! Tales From The Dead West: La Loup Garou Is Live!

The Ceaseless Grind

Working out some frustration in some design work today. I like this WIP alright enough, might try and find better elements to play with but it was at a point that I figured i'd share it. I normally just photobash or throw some elements I like into Affinity, do some blending work, color correct, and call it a day. Still trying to work on my own design work but drawing/conceptualizing images from nothing is a place in need of improvement on my end.

Mood Board for the Dead West Podcast

PSA for podcast and audio drama creators:

If you publish a new episode of your show and it never shows up on Spotify, *do not panic*.

If you're using any kind of background music, it might've gotten flagged by their copyrighted content scanner. If it has, they do not notify you directly about it. Instead, they will notify your podcast hosting platform (i.e. Buzzsprout, Acast, Podbean, etc.)

If your new episode doesn't show up on Spotify within an hour or two (as it normally does), here's what you should do:

Create a video of your podcast and upload it privately to YouTube.

Check the 'Restrictions' column of the Content page in YouTube Studio. If the video you uploaded has 'Copyright' in this column, something was flagged and this is the problem. (In my experience, YouTube and Spotify's scanners are aligned).

Hover over where it says 'Copyright' and click the 'See Details' button. This will tell you what got flagged.

Confirm whether this content was legitimately flagged or not. If it was (meaning you can't prove that you have rights to use the music), it's time to replace the track and reupload your episode. (You'll still want to do the following steps after you do that). If wasn't, it's time to document why the flagging was in error. In Metropolis' case, we use a lot of pre-1924 music that is in the public domain per Title II of the US Music Modernization Act of 2018. But rights holders are notorious for not removing things that have aged into the public domain from their claims list. That means we have clear rights to use the music (as does anybody: again, public domain!), but we still have to go through the appeals process.

Contact your hosting provider to get the notice email from Spotify Content Protection. You need to ask their support team if they've received an email for your show from Spotify with a Subject line of "Possibly Infringing - Notification Warning - Claim xxx - ref:_xxx". It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour for them to receive that notification from when the episode was uploaded. Within the email, there's a unique link to appeal the decision. Note that you only get five days to appeal - procrastination is definitely not your friend here!

Use the Appeal Link from the Email to file an Appeal Notice If you click the link, it will take you to a form to appeal the decision not to post the episode. This is where you need to present your case by either that you've replaced the music in question, or that you have a right to use it. If it's the latter - make sure you present the case as thoroughly and completely as possible (with links and references). (You'll also want to confirm that the track that YouTube spotted is the one that Spotify flagged.)

From my experience, Spotify will usually respond 24-36 hours.

If you took the right steps, it'll usually be a short note that they've published the episode and you're in the clear.

Cheers, and happy creating!

[UNPAID] Casting Chinese VA to feature in an episode of MERCY!🪼

Howdy friends!

We are searching for VAs with a Chinese background (preferably Chinese-American) who might be interested in playing a role for an upcoming episode of MERCY: A Queer Eldritch Western. As this show is created on a voluntary basis, this will be an unpaid role. However, as a token of appreciation, we offer sound design & writing services for a free voice demo (or whatever the VA wishes!) in return. The details of the role are as below ✨

VA REQUIREMENTS: 18+, Chinese background (Chinese American preferred but not a hard requirement), open to any and all genders. ROLE: Jack Yung (20, masc, Chinese-American) ACCENT: General American, California/San-Francisco specific (not a hard requirement) TRIGGER WARNING: VA must be comfortable with potentially triggering content (eg. trauma, s*icide, historical racism, slurs, racial violence) APPEARANCES: Jack will appear in one short scene at the end of Episode 6. He will feature heavily in the first half of Episode 7 and in a short scene in the latter half. Episodes usually run for 40+ minutes. TIMELINE: Recording deadline for Episode 6 is 13 June. Recording deadline for Episode 7 is 11 July. SHOW PREMISE: MERCY is a queer eldritch audio drama set during the tail end of the wild west. The show follows Wayne Sawyer, a grizzled jack-of-all-trades, who helps the folk of Mercy for a mere pittance. When he meets the bizarre and enigmatic academic, Doctor Daisy Gray, they are both thrust into dangers beyond human comprehension. You can check out our currently released episodes HERE: https://pod.link/1762529135

If you are interested, please submit your audition to the below link. And if you know anyone who might fit the bill and may be interested, please do send them our way!

We look forward to hearing from y'all! 🪼💖

AUDITION LINK: https://forms.gle/pp3oW8Lb4V22QSco9

AUDITION DEADLINE: Friday 23 May (CST time)

[The phrase "even the worst days end" on a background of trees with eyes carved into them. Original from the Dead West Patreon]

(Not so) fun fact that people updated with Hi Nay may know is that I wrote Hi Nay in response to real life Philippine fascism, with our main character Mari, a warm, sweet woman who seems relatively cheerful in the face of all the Horrors, having lived through fascism and having had to do monstrous things to combat it. It all comes back to the Duterte presidency.

The real horror is fascism, and the apathy of the rich and powerful, but we keep living, and despite it all, we find surprising moments of queer joy.

That's what drives the story of Hi Nay. It's why we've never shut up about politics and global issues even if we're an indie fiction podcast. I'm glad so many people have resonated with it in some way.

Inspired by @fyeahaudiodrama's do you love the color of the audio drama?, I have finally reorganised the contents my podcatcher:

I just wanted to tell you I started your podcast and I’m nervous to review but I wanted to tell you I absolutely adore your intro and outro it’s literally so catchy! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us! I’m hoping to catch up tonight (and I can do that because my college semester is done today) also hello to a fellow historian! : ) (I myself am studying World History particularly Middle Eastern history with an interest in Sumerian culture and History) okay enough of my rambling now keep up the amazing work! You are all so talented!

I appreciate your kind words! I hope the semester treated you well and that you have a great break! Fun fact, the Sumerian cuneform was actually the language I was going to reference in the show before going with Rongo Rongo. But they are a fascinating folk to be studying, I hope you love it. The intro/outro is by the AMAZING Sage G.C btw! They run some of their own podcasts as well, more TTRPG Actual Plays but the team is great and Sage is a GOD when it comes to sound design. You should check them out if that is your vibe, 20SidedStories.

Well, howdy! I just wanted to take a moment to introduce my new podcast Dead West! It is a horror audio fiction series that blends folk horror and weird western themes in a re-imagined American Gilded age. A time when everything was stolen, blood was let, and society grappled with modernity.

Our show follows Conrad, a self proclaimed Sin Eater, as he travels around Western America and deals with the horrors of humanity and the things that stalk them in the dark.

This audio drama will be faithful adaptation of the true American West, including voices that were normally silenced due to the racists, sexist, and xenophobic nature of the American People. The Show features a full cast to guide you through this valley of death and sound design to let the monsters into your ears. Content warnings will be present in the show notes, where needed. Transcriptions coming soon.

Where you can find it:

Spotify

Apple

Youtube Music

Here on Tumblr!

Podlink (Links to all the apps)

If you have an app where you do not see our show let us know and we will fix that!