Category: Podcasting

Posted on

There’s Not A Lot Going On In The U.S.

Rebecca just called me on her lunch break to tell me that her mom told her that makers of Corner Gas are trying to pitch the show to U.S. television networks. That’s right, America. Corner Gas might be coming to a network near you.

That said, can a show set in a Canadian province of which many Americans aren’t even aware translate into ratings success in the U.S.?

Hasson thinks so. Most of the humour on the show is familiar to North Americans in general, he said.

“Corner Gas is small-town-centric,” said Hasson. “There’s absolutely no difference between Dog River, Saskatchewan, and any little town outside Des Moines, Iowa.”  [thestar.com]

I have always found the show fascinating because I could relate the happenings in Dog River to my home town back in Iowa. Apparently I wasn’t that far off, but the central part of the state always seemed to have a lot less going on than the eastern.

The appeal of the show is already stretching beyond Canada.  The Daily Breakfast featured the program on a recent episode.  Apparently Canadian fans of Father Roderick sent him some DVD’s.  He’s liking it already.

Posted on

RadioZoom Episode #93

Episode #93 is ready for your listening needs.

In this totally unprepared episode, I let you in on the fact that I’ve been going through some “podcasting block”. It might be the summer time creeping in and not wanting to do anything, but I’m back with another edition this week. I also take a look at all of the various running events going on in and around Vancouver, clarify my throughts on a blog post I made about podcasting this week, and finally get to some listener email.

Posted on

Roche Limit

Dave sent me his CD in the mail!Check out what I got in the mail today. I played Roche Limit on RadioZoom a few times recently. Dave Righton contacted me to say thanks for the spin, of which I am always glad to do, especially for anyone in Vancouver. That goes for anyone around the world, but it’s nice to get the thanks from the locals here.

Dave’s uber cool in my book though. He said he’d send me a copy of the CD, and it arrived today.

From their MySpace page:

Roche Limit’s debut album entitled “White Light” is another stunning example of why Canadian independent music continues to gain more and more recognition. Combining electronic, pop-rock, and folk influences, Roche Limit has been compared to the likes of both Beck and Nine Inch Nails. Boasting a diverse range of tracks, “White Light” encompasses a compelling selection of moods and styles. The listener is transported from the depths of a brooding instrumental to unforgettable upbeat melodies, all the while maintaining the unique and refreshing sound that is Roche Limit.

Posted on

What Podcasting Is

I am sick of hearing people say what podcasting is or should be. Explaining that you should be doing this or that and if you aren’t doing said thing, then that’s not podcasting. Am I guilty of that? Sure, but not as much as others.

To me, there is no wrong or right thing that anyone should be doing. As I have said it from day one, just do your own thing. Do what makes you happy and stick with it. Don’t do the exact thing that someone tells you that you should be doing. If you become uncomfortable with what you’re doing, then change it. Wanna do more or less? Then do it.

When it comes to equipment, cost, and your recording setup, get something that works and sounds good to you. Some people get too worked up over quality, stereo vs. mono, subject matter, and so on. Yeah, there are basic things that you should be concerned about with your quality, such as hum or room noise.

I don’t accept the notion that everything needs to have studio quality. If you want to be that diehard about it, great! Don’t push your preferences onto other people though. Lately, I’ve been leaving the windows open in the apartment while recording. I like having that atmosphere in my podcasts. It’s different.

To me, podcasting is whatever you want to make of it. It is your soapbox to do what you want with it. In fact, that’s what the internet is all about. You want to blog about dogs in silly clothes, you can do that. You can have a whole podcast about it. Google dogs in silly clothes and see what you get.

No one does a search for information on the internet anymore. We “google” it. We’ve changed the way we say and do things because the internet has allowed us to do so. Along comes podcasting and this freeform way of thinking is taken away by people saying what it should or shouldn’t be. I don’t buy it.

Posted on

CBC: The End of Radio

Tod Maffin posted this on his website sometime ago, but I just had the chance to sit down and watch this recently. The End of Radio is one segment of a three part series on CBC Newsworld that tackles the idea of the way media is changing in the not so distant future, and you can watch this 22 minute program on their website.

The experts have spoken. Mass media is reported to be on its last legs. A handful of new media entities with remarkably silly names: Blogs, Vlogs, YouTube, Podcasts, and Yahoo! are leading the charge, leaving traditional forms of communications to play catch-up or get left behind.

The CBC’s pop culture specialist Jian Ghomeshi ponders the fate of mass media and asks whether we are nearing a world without television, radio or print in THE END, a three-part series airing on CBC Newsworld. [cbc.ca/theend]

I wanted to provide a link on my site as well because it’s a really interesting program. Of course I take intrest in the radio and podcasting portion of this report, but the other segments about TV and print make me curious as well. I should have watched them last week while being down with some sort of chest cold thing.

Posted on

RadioZoom Episode #92

Recorded and published today, episode #92 is ready for your downloading needs.

British Columbia is the focus of this six song episode. Keeping up with my promise of putting out a music filled edition of RadioZoom around the 15th of every month, I did my best to bring you artists from the Vancouver, B.C. area. Suggestions and submissions for future episodes are always welcome.

radiozoom.net

Posted on

CBC Radio Podcast Expansion

I know I’m coming in late to the party, but the CBC expanded their podcast content last week. A large number of popular programs from CBC Radio One can now be subscribed to via their website at cbc.ca/podcasting, or through iTunes.

Programming will include the “best of” editions from The Current, Dispatches, Definitely Not the Opera, Ideas, Outfront, and As It Happens, plus highlight packages of regionally-based radio programs. [podcastingnews.com]

As It Happens has the best opening theme. Makes me totally want to rock out.

Posted on

RadioZoom Episode #91

Episode #91 was published today.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! I took my minidisc with me while I ventured around the city in the pursuit of my immigration paperwork. The adventure ended up taking more time than I expected, so you come along with me while I walk into the heart of downtown Vancouver to meet up with Rebecca after work. I also got some music into this mobile, a rare occurance in such previous episodes.

Posted on

Canucks Outsider, Uncle Weed Having Tech Issues

Dave Olsen, main man for the Canucks Outsider and Choogle On w/ Uncle Weed podcasts, appears to have some problems with the technical end of his podcasting capabilities. He posted this on the new home for the Canucks Outsider podcast, hockeynw.com.

Just a noe to say that my intrepid little laptop (leon) has lost grasp on reality and slipped into oblivion with two almost-finished podcasts abord plus myriad future content in progress. Yikes! I am at Appletex in North Van for rescue operation so wish me luck. [post]

I was beginning to wonder if all was well in DaveO-world. Wish him a quick recovery and just passing along the info. Hope he gets things back up and running soon!