Beneath the Static issue #6
The Hanson Tapes, Conventions, Relay 7???
MAN, I suck at these. Social, really. It’s not my strong suit. Uhh, hey. Happy 4th of July, hope you had a great Labor Day, and Happy Early Halloween because I have NO clue if I’ll make one of these by then. I think I covered all the bases?
I know, I know. I keep saying it, but really. I mean it. I’ve thought about writing one of these at least a dozen times over the last - what has it been - 4 months? I could go look. I’m lazy. Not happening. ANYWAYS. It’s been a productive few months, for real! Hey, didya know I attended my frist convention as a vendor for Ghost Wolf?! Yeah, cool stuff. It was REALLY fun. And you can follow along (sparsley) on insta and the subreddit! Wait, did you know I had a subreddit now? FUCK. I meant to make a post about it or whatever and forgot lol. I’m all over the place.
Alright, Focus.
Hey, it’s me!! Hiiiiiiiiiiii Internet People!!!
Yep, that’s me. Bet you’re wondering how I got here… It’s easy, really. Signed up via the SC HorrorCon website. Suuuuper easy, and everyone there was incredible! Best booth mates I could ask for, and the staff were BEYOND phenomenal. Stick around, I’m planning on being there next year, so go ahead and get your tickets.
And guess what?
(What??)
I’m doing ANOTHER one on October 25th! Yep, you can catch me at the Fall Edition of SC Comicon - it’s one day only, and it’s ALSO going to be a ton of fun. You can still grab tickets, and then you can even swing by the booth and meet little old me. And, if you’re reading this and we met at SC HorrorCon, HIIIIIIIII PERSON.
Is that static I hear?
You’re goddamn right it is. That would be The Hanson Tapes playing on a podcasting platform near you! That’s right, it’s officially offical. As of THIS post, Tape 5 is available to listen to wherever you get your podcasts. And, man… Holy shit. It’s doing way better than I had anticipated. I’ve been blown away by the reception of this thing.
I was really nervous to release it, honestly. It’s so different from Smackie’s. One’s a liminal fast food horror romp about a guy with a disembodied voice over a walkie talkie and a “talking” nametag in his pocket. The other is a serial crime drama about a killer sending tapes to a detective. It’s WAY more serious, and I wasn’t quite sure I could write serious. Not like this. Yeah, there’s serious parts in Smackie’s, but humor is my thing. Kinda.
But Spotify is showing this thing some love, and I’m so grateful that people seem to really be clicking with it. The first 3 episodes premiered with 80 followers on September 4th. As of this writing. Well. I could tell you, or I could just show you.
I’m actually speechless. It’s outperforming every expectation I had, and I have no clue who to thank. You’re all awesome. Every single one of you.
I know it’s not breakout numbers or anything like that. But it’s enough for me. I’m going to stop beating the drum because I don’t want to come off as performative. But, man. It’s so surreal. It took Smackie’s roughly 6 months to hit numbers like this. And Smackie’s is my baby.
So, if you haven’t given it a listen yet, by all means, please do! I don’t mean to be dramatic here, but from Tape 5 onward, I think the series really starts to get into its best stuff for Season 1. Also, HUGE shout out to Josh Oglesby for lending his voice to Agent Tate. And, I’ve got another special surprise slated towards the end of the season. There may be another voice joining the fray. You’ll just have to stick around for that!
Testing, testing… is this thing on??
Now, if you’ve been around long enough, you know I can’t sit my ass still. Yes, I’m doing the conventions. Yes, I’ve been designing stuff for said conventions. Yes, I’ve been working towards the release of The Hanson Tapes Season 1. And yes, I’ve been writing and working on another series in my down time (lolwhatsthat?).
Introducing Andrew McCleod, the unluckiest son of a bitch at the end of the world. Holed up in an old Relay Tower, broadcasting out into the wastes, hoping someone will answer.
This is Relay 7: [The Silent Hours], or just Relay 7.
Man, I’ve been so excited for this show. Been sitting on it for a while now. Just writing when I’ve had the chance, and jumping into the booth to voice it. Super easy - just a guy monologuing about his day. I don’t want to give too much away, but MAN, this thing has heart. I’m telling you. It’s a comfort show. It didn’t start that way. But as it’s developed over the episodes (I have 11 written and recorded), it’s very much nestled into this cozy little niche.
I don’t know. Give the trailer a listen, let me know what you think.
I’m hoping to have this as a sort of ongoing series, like a Welcome to Night Vale or something. I’ve got roughly 130 episodes planned, and an ending in mind. We’ll see how it goes lol. It’s premiering January 8th, and I’m trying to have as many episodes batched as possible so that I don’t fall behind while working on The Hanson Tapes Season 2. Fortunately, the episodes are relatively easy to write, and they’re not as lengthy as, say, Smackie’s.
Small aside, while it’s on my mind - most of my projects are born out of this sense of “I can do that”.
Smackie’s came about from a Twitter video of an abandoned McDonalds with text on the screen talking about bizarre rules to follow during your shift.
I can do that.
The Hanson Tapes was a writing prompt I found in the werewolves subreddit, oddly enough, about a guy with lycanthropy sending recordings to a detective.
I can do that.
Relay 7 was this bomb-ass song by gunship. I’d listened to it a dozen times, and one day I’m folding laundry when it comes on and I’m really listening to the voice in the beginning of the song and getting into it, and started having all these different ideas. And, of course, the ENTIRE thing has to have a synthwave backing track.
I can do that.
I say all that to say, find inspiration in everything. never stop looking.
Seriously. Even if it feels like a stupid idea. I’ve had a MILLION of those. Just plain old fucking dumb. Look at Smackie’s lol. But you never know what might stick with you. Hey, this shit is about you, just as much as it is about me. I know you’re here listening to my stuff. But hopefully it inspires you. Adopt that “I can do that” mentality. Borrow an idea from here, take a sound from there - you get the gist. I mean it. I make this shit because I can’t get it out of my head, and I hope that it gives you something to work with, too. There’s too much shit going on in the world not to try and make it a little better. Even if its just entertainment. Stories. Whatever.
Get your ass out there and make something. Even if it sucks. ESPECIALLY if it sucks. What’s that Jake the Dog said?
Sucking at something is the first step to being kinda good at something.
Look at me. I’m kinda good at this whole podcasting thing. I hope there’s something calling to you, too.
Man, what a great word vomit. I can’t believe you actually read this far. Have a small Frysticks™ on the house for putting up with me. I really appreciate it <3
Love you guys. Peace outttttttttttttttttttttttttt.
