A New Era Has Dawned, It's The End Of The World As We Know It

In my last post I alluded to a third thing that I had been doing that not only was taking up my time (in addition to my wife’s condition and helping build a website for my friends band) but also my creative time. It was my attempt to explain why I hadn’t been writing very much lately. Well, the time has come now to speak about just what that third thing is. I have (finally) joined the ever growing number of podcasters in the world. Some time back I acquired a portable digital recorder (as a Christmas gift from me to me) and after playing with it for a bit I started to record a podcast with my best friend and virtual brother Tommy. Then I downloaded some free editing software (Audacity) and after also playing with it I finally was ready to unleash my creation on the unsuspecting world. Needing a name for the podcast my decision was easy, I would name it after this blog, notmovingpictures, which itself is a nod to the band Rush.

Tommy and I have recorded three episodes but since my wife had her surgery we just haven’t had the time to do any more, so far at least. The podcast will be the two of us talking about music, concerts old and new, writing lyrics for Tommy’s band Alloy and whatever else we decide to delve into at any given moment. To be sure, I feel that so far we are still trying to find our rhythm, after all, I haven’t done anything like this since my radio days in the latter 90s so please be patient. I want it to be a conversation between the two of us and to show our humor more than we have so far. Episode one dealt with our history and Tommy’s trip to see Megadeth and Motorhead (sort of) while in episode two I spoke of going to see Van Halen in 1984 and how I ended up spending the night in a hooker motel……….with another dude. Have no fear, it was all innocent, nothing untoward was going on, at least not on my part. To hear the full story you’ll need to go to www.notmovingpictures.podomatic.com where you can stream, download or even get the podcast on Itunes.

But wait! There’s more! Not only have I started notmovingpictures as a podcast (and a continuation of the blog) starting today, Tuesday the 2nd of April I am also launching a second podcast, one dedicated to playing music, called 10 For Tuesday. Allow me to explain how it came to be. Every time I try to find a music podcast that has just a portion of music that I like I invariably end up disappointed. Usually I find myself scrolling through the episodes hoping that I come across a morsel of sonic goodness that will appease my auditory hunger for a short time only before becoming frustrated at what is offered and unsubscribing form said podcast and starting the search all over again. Finally it dawned on me that if I can’t find what I like then I need to create what I like. If others come across it and like it then all the better for don’t be fooled, the music I am playing is all for me, there will be nothing that I do not approve of myself. Basically it will feature music from different genres, decades and styles. Whatever I have come across that I like and has stuck with me and it will all be mixed together no matter how different is from song to song. Don’t be surprised to hear Ska, Americana, Metal, New Wave, Punk and whatever else I feel like playing.

10 For Tuesday will be a free form music podcast with the motto of Less Talk, More Music. That’s right, unlike radio you won’t have to hear me prattle on taking up your precious time and instead can enjoy music, sweet music. The first episode features songs by Alejandro Escovedo, Amy Cook, The Ruts, The Skids, Chuck Prophet, The Crombies and more so if that sounds like something you’d like feel free to go to www.tenfortuesday.podomatic.com and download, stream or subscribe to it on Itunes, just like notmovingpictures. My hope is that if I can’t do it every week I will at least do an episode every two weeks. Maybe that way I can stay creative and focus my writing on all of my stories and (dare I imagine it) my movie script ideas. Ah well, time will tell how it all goes but truthfully the point is to just do it, no matter what the consequences. Whether it is adored by millions or reviled by an equal number it matters not, so long as I enjoy myself. So do me a favor and check them out, enjoy the content, drop a comment or two but ultimately be kind with your (hopefully) constructive criticism. Now I need to figure out how to really make it easier to do. Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.

Written and Published by Don Leach. May not be used without permission from the author.