According to Wiki, which is as we all know a bastion of complete and utter truth, podcasts are “a digital media file, or a related collection of such files, which is distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds for playback on portable media players and personal computers. The term, like ‘radio’, can refer either to the content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.”
Let me break down all that geek rhetoric for you all.
The term “podcast” is simply a buzzword cashing in on the iPod trend, which has been at the forefront of the digital world since version 1.0 of the aforementioned iPod was released in October 2001. Much like the term “blog,” lots of people are loosely describing what themselves as podcasters. That said, if you can sift through the dense, murky waters of the net there are some very will done podcasts, and their video brethren aptly titled “vidcast.”
When I say murk, I do mean murk. According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a collective that “reports that explore the impact of the internet on families, communities, work and home, daily life, education, health care, and civic and political life,” as of April of 2005 there were 22 million Americans that owned an iPod / MP3 device. At that point in time, 29% of those owners had downloaded a podcast. That figures to be around 6 million people. As the internet and podcasting has grown, I’m sure that those numbers are horribly out of date. But it goes to show you that there is a large group of people that at the very least knew what a podcast is.
Through our very own research we’ve found that many people have a very narrow field of vision when it comes to what podcasts are available for them to download at their leisure. Most think that the majority of podcasts are stodgy, boring MP3 files that just waste their hard drive space that they could be filling with the latest Britney Spears tune. That’s not really the whole truth. Plus, don’t download anything by Britney Spears. Please.
The width and breath in the field of podcasting is wide and varied. Anything that you can think of is out there for you to enjoy. Want to learn more about wine? There’s plenty of podcasts from wine experts. Want audio versions of book? There’s podcasts by up-and-coming authors. That way they don’t have to worry with paper and printing. Want to fix up your humble abode? Home Depot even has a podcast that has step-by-step video to help you make home improvements.
What we’re going to do in this article is highlight and discuss arts + entertainment podcasts that have piqued our interest, and we hope piques you and yourn.
Film
Creative Screenwriting Magazine
In the real world, Creative Screenwriting Magazine is an actual, physical magazine. With the podcast they begin by screening a film [before one second passes in the podcast. So, no, you don’t have to listen to an audio version of the film], and then discuss the filmmaking process with the screenwriter. CSM’s podcast is one of the best if you’re movie buff, and curious about the ins and outs of making a motion picture.
IFC News Podcast
Very, very informative, and heavy with big name people from the film industry. The only draw back is that it’s audio only. It would be wonderful to see the excellent hosts, Alison Willmore and Matt Singer, knock back with the likes of Ridley Scott, Sidney Lumet, and Bruce Willis.
Smodcast
This barely fits into the Film section. Sure they discuss motion pictures, but it’s who the “they” are that makes this a required download. The “they” are Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier. You may know them from such films as Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Clerks II, and are trying desperately to forget about them because of Jersey Girl.* This raucous, flat out hilarious podcast is necessary for all folks. Naga naga nooch!
* I actually enjoyed Jersey Girl. Sure, it was a little on the hammy side. At the end of the day it could have been worse. It could have been Glitter.
Sundance Film Festival
Robert Redford’s Sundace institution has reared its head in many different formats. Its a film festival, a television channel, and now a podcast. Like IFC, it’s laden with big names, but counterbalances with extremely independent filmmakers. Some of the notable, big names hosted are Wim Wenders, Sam Shepard, and David Gordon Green.
Television
Attack of the Show
G4’s Attack of the Show is a geek’s dream television show. Good looking women and fellow geeky dudes talking about video games, music, movies, modern technology, and the internet. What more could you ask for? Well, there is one other thing. The AOTS podcast is a vidcast. Just don’t drool all of your keyboard please.
Discovery Channel
The Discovery Channel has approximately twenty pod/vidcasts accessible through iTunes. That’s a whole lot of stuff. Whole lot of varied casts. Which is good. They include Dirty Jobs, Samantha Brown, Shark Week, and on and on and on. Excellent, excellent offer, considering they are all free.
Real Time with Bill Maher
Please tell me you know who Bill Maher is, please. Just in case, Maher is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and political satirist. Most known for his former late night debate/talk show, Politically Incorrect, Maher continues down the same path with Real Time. This time out, no network censorship. RT is based on HBO, and can be laced with heavy doses of profanity. The podcast would be better if it was a vidcast, but the audio is the best part of the show anyway.
Music
The Concert
The Concert is a classical music podcast taken from full length, live performances held at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. If classical music doesn’t float your boat, no more words will force it otherwise.
IndieFeed
IndieFeed is a community of seven separate podcasts. Six of the seven are single songs, all completely free and on the up and up. Cool, independent musicians are represented here. Download some tunes, and impress your friends with your “obtuse” knowledge of unknown bands.
The Interface
Cat Power, Spoon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beth Orton, Grandaddy, Editors, among many others perform small concerts, and discuss their music.
KCRW
There are twenty-seven, count ‘em twenty-seven, pod/vidcasts in the KCRW library. They are becoming world renown for breaking the next big thing. The “Today’s Top Tune” podcast has put musicians the likes of Josh Ritter, José González, and Silversun Pickups into the mainstream’s consciousness. Thank you KCRW.
KEXP
One could just about say “ditto to KCRW” as far as KEXP is concerned. This Seattle-based radio station has truly traveled the globe, preaching the word of solid, independent music.
National Geographic: World Music Profiles
If indie music isn’t your preference, be sure to check out National Geographic’s World Music Profiles. NG explores the width and breadth of the Earth for phenomenal world music. I think there may even be someone from Timbuktu available in a former podcast.
NPR: All Songs Considered
Truly an eclectic mix, NPR’s All Songs Considered discusses the latest and greatest in the field of music. Some of the recent musicians have been as wide ranging as Anoushka Shankar, The New Pornographers, and Stephen Merritt.
Sans Serif
Sans Serif is a Cambridge, Massachusetts radio program that boasts itself as a “refreshing little icebox filled with modern-flavored treats. On the menu: intelligent dance music, downtempo, remixes, electro, dub, ambient, house. sample and savor; best serve chilled.” We tend to agree.
Sub Pop Records
Sub Pop is an icon in the recording industry. The podcast is a hub for the latest songs and videos from their musicians. All for free. Just to name a few: Low, Dntel, Flight of the Conchords, Iron & Wine, and The Shins.
The Traneumentary
If you like John Coltrane, you’ll love The Traneumentary. At its base it is a discussion and listening party for the late, great Coltrane. Some of today’s top Jazz musicians talk about Coltrane’s genius and his effect on the world that followed him.
Art
Cool Hunting Video
CH Video is a piece by piece guide to how people across this grand land of ours celebrate art in their own unique variations. Always interesting, and sometimes informative, this is a must for lovers of all things art.
History of Photography
Yeah, yeah, yeah. This is a class. But at least it’s a class worth paying attention to. Chiefly focusing on the 19th and early 20th century, Jeff Curto introduces us to some nuances in photography from over the years in an enlightening way.
LensWork
The randomness of LensWork is what makes in worth downloading. Not everyone in the art world is stodgy enough to shun any media that it not their own. Brooks Jensen brings 35 years of experience as a fine art photographer, writer, and publisher to the table.
Literature
APM: Garrison Keillor’s The Writer’s Almanac
The best feature of this podcast is that it is updated daily. So you folks jonesing for some Keillor, well here’s your fix. I can say one thing for certain, it’s better than a cup o’ joe first thing in the morning.
iTunes: Meet the Author
In depth discussions with authors on their life and works. This podcast is fairly new, but the first three interviews are enough to take note of: George R.R. Martin, Stephen Colbert, and Alan Alda.
PRI: Selected Shorts
An hour’s worth of short stories. Some of which are read to us by big names like John Turturro and Stockard Channing. An added bonus is Paul Hecht reading a short by David Mamet. Can’t get much better than that.
Comic books
AOTS: Fresh Ink
Again, G4 delivers with a distinct take on the comic book scene. On the outside Blair Butler wouldn’t normally strike us a typical comic book fan, but she is through and through. Her picks are pretty dead on, and she’s not shy about staying away from the big two.
iFanboy
Ron, Conor, and Josh cut a slice of life in the weekly world of pop culture fanatics and comic book geekdom. They chew over recent releases. Weighing the good, the bad, and the out and out butt ugly.
Pulp Secret
Here’s a podcast that presents the comic book world in an obtuse way. Culling from pop culture, and spouted as a regular Joe/Jane Doe guide to comics. Sometimes hilarious, but when talking comics they get down to business.
Video games
1UP Show
1Up has twelve different pod/vidcasts to choose from. Everything from the latest news in the video game world, to discussions on retro gaming. A little dorky? Yes. A lot of fun? Oh yeah.
IGN Games
Three pod/vidcasts that further explore IGN’s in depth coverage on the gaming scene. Throughly educational, and always one step ahead.
X-Play’s Daily Video Podcast
Adam and Morgan are king and queen of the video game review world. Here you’ll get tips, tricks, and previews for the latest games, all delivered with their very own wry take of the industry.
Local
The Art Gallery of Knoxville
Vidcasts of happenings at the The Art Gallery of Knoxville. This one is great to keep up with the Joneses when you’re too busy to leave your humble abode.
Positively Schwall
Schwall’s quirky take on East Tennessee is brought to you on the web, just in case you don’t want to sit through the depressing news.
Bonus
Hidden Universe HD: NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope
and
Beautiful Places In HD
These two are mainly listed for the photography folks. Beautifully scenes shot and displayed in high definition is double plus good.
