On the 24th May 2016 I released the trailer for my first ever audio drama, a sci-fi story about being stranded in space called Tin Can, out into the world. It’s been 10 years since then, I’ve made a lot of audio drama, a lot of music, and a lot of things have changed.
And to celebrate 10 years of Tin Can Audio, I want to make you a mixtape.
Is there an episode of something we’ve made that you’d love to have a physical copy of? Do you have a playlist of Tin Can Audio music that you really like that you’d love on cassette?
I have a bunch of blank cassette tapes, 30 minutes each side. When you buy one of these tapes from our Bandcamp page, write what you’d like in the comments box, and I’ll record it onto the tape. Any space left over I’ll fill with music and other goodies that I think go with what you’ve asked for.
The only limitation is that we have 30 minutes each side, if you want something longer than 30 minutes, I’ll do some tweaking to make it work.
We’ll be releasing these in very limited batches so if you miss out this time, check back later, we’ll have some more releasing very soon.
I had no idea when I released my little experiment onto the internet that I’d end up here. Working in audio is now my full time job, and Tin Can Audio has grown from a slightly lost little egg in a cold flat in Glasgow into an award winning audio drama and music collective, though I’m still in a slightly cold flat in Glasgow, albeit a much nicer one.
Thank you so much for 10 years of making audio drama and music and weird sounds. Here’s to the next 10.
Here are my completely honest thoughts on a bunch of audio dramas I've checked out. (Don't worry, nothing scathing, they're all reasonably good. But please proceed with caution, or don't proceed, if you're involved in creating any of these shows.)
In the order I first listened:
The Storage Papers: Nine episodes in. A little slow paced, but I've heard it picks up in the later seasons. My only real concern is that it seems like a lot of the horror revolves around "this thing looks sort of like a human but it's Wrong somehow. also it kills people (or cats)." I hope at some point we meet a creature that looks and acts as unsettling as the Grinner but is nice, or at least complicated.
The Cellar Letters: Seven episodes in. I LOVE it. I love the natural-feeling messiness of it, the way Nate and Steve talk in circles and go back and forth on what to believe. It's made me laugh out loud multiple times. I can't wait to learn more about that weird little room full of letters with that one random word written on the wall (I forget what).
400 Words a Horror: Three episodes in. I had to re-listen to the first episode because I hadn't been paying enough attention, but I think that particular episode rewards re-listening anyway. Also it is the only show on this list that genuinely frightens me so I have to pace myself. Very good.
Tin Can Audio Presents: Middle:Below: Two episodes in. I won't say I'm hooked, but I am somewhat interested. It's a lot more relaxing than the other podcasts on this list, so I keep thinking I'll save it for listening closer to bedtime, then not getting around to it.
The Grotto: Six episodes in. Very much enjoying. I was SO proud of myself for correctly guessing the twist in the second episode. I love the characters and am extremely intrigued by the mysteries. My only criticism is that the musical interludes drag on too long. And I'm saying that as a WOE.BEGONE fan.
Soul Operator: Three episodes in. It's good but there isn't any particular element that's drawing me in just yet. There's a lot I don't know about the world yet, though, so there is still plenty of time for me to fall in love with this show. (Irrelevant note: I always get "Smooth Operator" by Sade stuck in my head when I think about this show.)
Shadows at the Door: Listened to half of the first episode. It was somewhat interesting, but I decided I had higher priorities for my listening time than disconnected hour-long episodes that are only *somewhat* interesting.
Archive 81: Five episodes in. Quite possibly going to become a major obsession. It's got everything: playing with point of view; the Power of Storytelling but in a menacing way; vivid character voices; probably a cult. I particularly love the way conversations play out on this show--I don't know exactly how to explain it but there's a certain... friction that happens in real conversations but rarely in fictional ones outside cringe comedy. I don't usually enjoy that sort of thing when it's played for laughs, but for realism or suspense? I eat that up. It does make me a little tense so this is another show I pace myself with and I'm glad the episodes are short.
Alice Isn't Dead: Two episodes in. I'm not going to make it a priority--it's got a similar sort of surrealism to Night Vale, but with higher stakes and less humor, and I had enough trouble getting immersed in Night Vale. I could probably enjoy it if I gave it enough time, but for now I'd rather focus on *gestures at some of the shows above*
The Silt Verses: Listened to the first ten minutes of the first episode and got bored, which I think says as much about me as it does about the show. It does get off to a bit of a slow start and leaves more space between lines of dialogue than most of these shows do, but I could probably get into it with adequate time and sleep. Not prioritizing it, for similar reasons to Alice.
Oh, hey there! We’re a brand new audio drama, RADIO: Outcast. We're hard at work editing, recording, and producing the first season of the show and we thought this would be a great time to say hello!
RADIO: Outcast is an independently-produced audio drama. The story follows three strangers on an unexpected adventure. When Helix, the Messenger God of Sound, gets yanked from the 1980s and sent to the 1880s by her abusive ex-lover, the God of Time, she must forge unlikely alliances with two humans: Jesse, a cowboy out for revenge, and Charles, a conman running from his past. The three of them embark on a journey across the American West, each with their own goals and secrets waiting to be revealed.
We have three prelude episodes up available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more right now and will be publishing the first official episode of the season this coming Wednesday, September 1st.
Our show is written and produced by queer creators, stars an amazingly talented and diverse cast, and has fun music to boot so there’s something for everyone. If you are looking for some good ol’ western content, love time travel, are a fan of terrifying female villains, or are just searching for a new audio drama to add to the list check us out!
Join Escape Artists Podcast for their stream tonight, 10pm BST, and stick around for our latest trailer!
Not only is this a new trailer, it’s also the first scene of our show!
This stream will also feature an interview with David Devereux, creator of The Tin Can Model (The Tower out now!) and Middle Below, and Sarah Grant, a brilliant Scottish actor and comedian.
I very much imagine Taylor Quinn living in what is essentially an antique store in his apartment, filled to the brim with items that can be used to contain ghosts depending on their needs, interests, and aesthetics. He puts little stickers on some to indicate that they are already haunted. His backpack has lots of dangly plushies, some of which contain spirits. Don’t worry about it and don’t ask.
Hi, hello! We're hard at work producing and distributing the first episodes of Season 1. RADIO: Outcast is as indie as they come. With your support, this epic audio drama can exist. If it's in your budget, consider checking out our Patreon page: http://patreon.com/radio_outcast
Click the link to listen now!
