Coming Soon!

A new semester at school and some outside projects have kept me from posting recently, and I apologize for the lack of updates. However, I’ll be back soon and I’ve got some great shows lined up to review. So, keep an eye out, and thanks for your patience!

Chasing The Bard

If we shadows have offended, think but this; and all is mended that you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear and this weak and idle theme no more yielding but a dream.

So spoke Puck at the closing of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” What if the mischievous Robin Goodfellow was not just a figment of Shakespeare’s imagination? What if he were a guardian sent to watch over the young poet? Subscribe to “Chasing The Bard,” the dark fantasy podio novel, and take part in just such an adventure. Written and read by Philippa Ballantine, Chasing the Bard is an award nominated novel that wraps a young Will Shakespeare up in the land of the Fey. A world that belongs to the mystical Sive the Shining, her brother Auberon, the darkly powerful Mordant, and of course, Puck. 
 
The Fey are close to annihilation due to the seemingly unstoppable force of the Malaise; and the majestic Sive, daughter of Queen Anue, will stop at nothing to save her kind. She seeks out Shakespeare, a human born with the blood of the Fey, to help her…whether he wants to or not. Filled with complex characters, rich story lines, and the magic and art of the Fey, Chasing the Bard is an audio treat for any fantasy fan.
 
Ballantine, or Pip as she likes to be called, makes for a wonderful narrator. Her warm vocals breath life into the story, making it much more than just a novel. She brings the world of the Fey to life for her listeners. The story does contain some darker, more adult themes, and listener discretion is advised. If you’re a fan of fantasy, Fey, or even Will Shakespeare, I would give this one a listen. In fact, listen in even if you’re not. Pip’s writing is excellent, and you might find yourself enjoying it. And if not, well then you can just listen to her awesome Kiwi accent for forty minutes. 
 
Please visit the show’s website for more information and fun extras.

If you find that you haven’t had your fill of Pip’s stories, I do have some welcome news. Digital Magic, the sequel of Chasing the Bard, is now available for pre-order, and will be released in August 2008.

The Moth

Founded in 1997 by poet and novelist, George Dawes Green, the Moth is a not-for-profit storytelling organization. Green hoped to re-create the feeling of sitting around a friend’s porch, telling stories as the stars shone and the moths hung low.

Strictly through word of mouth, The Moth Mainstage shows, and StorySlams drew large crowds of people eager to take part in the storytelling. Performed live without any notes, “The Moths” as they were dubbed, began telling their stories. Sometime later, The Moth Podcast was born. The Podcast releases one story a week from the thousands contained within its archives. The stories can range anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, and as they were all recorded at different times, the sound quality can vary. While some of the stories are fine for all ages, some do contain more adult language and themes. Parents thinking of sharing this one with their family, check the episode beforehand. Sometimes sad, often funny, and almost always moving, the stories contained within The Moth’s archives are a brilliant addition to your podcast feed.

The Moth also has several CDs containing compilations of their best stories for those listeners who can’t wait to hear more of the stories. Those can be found here, at The Moth Store.

The Moth’s website can be found here.

Mr. Deity

Religion has always been a touchy subject for some people. That’s why I believe that a certain amount of praise should be awarded to someone who can find a little fun in it all without being offensive. Someone like Brian Dalton, and his video podcast, Mr. Deity.

Somewhat in the vein of the short-lived NBC comedy, God, The Devil, and Bob, Mr. Deity is hilarious and light-hearted look at the world’s creator. While the show is based around religious ideals, it doesn’t preach to its viewers, and is a joy to watch whether you’re religious or not. In these four to five minute short films, we follow Mr. Deity in the trials and tribulations that come along with being the almighty. Joined by his assistant, Larry, Jesus, and his girlfriend, Lucy, (Lucifer) you never quite know what to expect. From creating light to the Mr. D’s stance on helping sports teams, this show brings it all, and it’s all brilliant.

You can check out the first two seasons of Mr. Deity over at Crackle.com.

Nobody’s Listening

Don’t let the name of this podcast fool you. Take a peek around the Nobody’s Listening Forums, and you’ll find out just how many people are enjoying this podcast.

Nobody’s Listening is a clean comedy podcast featuring funny, true-life stories. Hosted and Produced by James Kennison, NLCast is a great way to to start your day with laughter. James and his younger brother, David, started the show to share their crazy childhood stories, and invite others to share stories of their own.

Each episode starts off with a weekly update, news, and the featured story of the week. After that the reigns are turned over the the show’s fans, as they share their own funny/crazy/embarrassing stories through e-mail and voice mail messages. The episodes are released on a weekly basis, and run about an hour. Also, as previously mentioned, NLCast is clean, so it’s a great show for the entire family to enjoy.

The Nobody’s Listening website can be found here.

2 Guys, 1 Brain

Two guys…one brain. Two guys…one brain. Dos vatos…un cerebro! So begins each new episode of the podcast, 2 Guys, 1 Brain.

Andy is a Jailer. Randy is a Jailer too. Together the two of them form the crack team behind this hilarious podcast. Ever wonder what goes on behind cell doors? Get a first hand glimpse as these two regale their listeners with great stories about the daily life of a jailer. Although, the show doesn’t just stop there. Andy and Randy also bring a lot of other great discussions to the table. Whether it’s something they spotted in the news, or stories from their personal lives, you can rest assured that these two will have you laughing out loud.

The episodes can range anywhere from forty-five minutes to an hour, and are released on a weekly basis. It is, however, one that you might want to avoid for younger listeners. The topics are generally safe, but rarely the boys will let some language slip. I would say this is a great podcast for teens and up.

To satisfy all your 2G1B needs, stop by the show’s website, located here.

WZRD: Your Wizard Rock Station

Since their debut, the Harry Potter novels have inspired a legion of dedicated fans. Setting aside the books, movies, toys, and the bevy of other money makers that the franchise has spawned, there are still amazing amounts of fan creations available all over the place. Amid the veritable sea of graphics, the fan-fiction, and the Harry Potter themed cookbooks, you can also find Wizard Rock.

Wizard Rock is a phenomenon that is now widely spread within the Harry Potter community. Fans getting together to create music based on their favorite novels. There are so many Wizard Rock tunes available these days, that it can be hard to keep up with them all. Enter WZRD: Wizard Rock Radio.

WZRD is a radio-show styled podcast that brings you all the latest and greatest in Wizard Rock. Hosted by the lovely Amy and Jamie, WZRD brings a great mix of new tunes and old favorites. The show runs about thirty-five minutes long, so it’s easy to fit into a busy schedule, and it’s also family friendly. Which means that all your little Harry Potter fans can enjoy the music right along with you.

You can visit the show’s website here, or their My Space page here.