Your new podcast Bill Oberst jr's Gothic Goodnight - in a few
words, what is it about?
It's
the creepiest way to go to sleep this side of a nightmare. My goal with
this pod is to soothe frazzled nerves in 30 minutes or less. Strange how
soothing dark tales can be, isn't it? I chose the gothic genre because
lush, atmospheric language is soothing, too, like a sort of chocolate
mousse for the ear.
You describe Bill Oberst
jr's Gothic Goodnight as a "Corona-virus-cabin-fever inspired
podcast" - care to elaborate on that?
Like everyone else right now, I'm stuck inside my home, and trapped
inside my head. How do we extend ourselves outward in times like these?
This is my way. I'm inviting listeners to take part, too, with a link
for them to record audio messages and send them to me to include in the
next episode. We're all in the dark together right now... I guess this
podcast is my small whisper into the abyss and the loneliness. Maybe it
will echo. Why did you
choose gothic horror as the basis of your show - is this something you're
also fond of personally?
Oh yes! I cut my reader's teeth on Poe and Stoker and early Bradbury,
and graduated to Lovecraft and Machen and Dickens. I'm a sucker for
richly atmospheric descriptions of bleak landscapes and night shadows.
We are made for language, and for a poetic view of the world. Such
soothes the soul. Do talk about some of the
stories you are featuring/will feature on Bill Oberst jr's Gothic
Goodnight, and why exactly these stories? And is there any chance
you'll ever feature stories by current writers as well?
I very much want to feature material by current writers which fits into
the gothic style. In fact, if any of your readers are authors, and wish
to contact me about including selection from their works in the show,
I'd be delighted to hear from them. My contact links are at
https://www.billoberst.com.
I'd also be interested in any suggestions for classic gothic fiction to
read on the pod. For these first episodes I've chosen personal
favorites.
In
regards to preparing yourself for your podcasts, how does it compare to
your preparations for a movie role?
What an astute question, Mike. It is similar. I mean for the pod to be
listened to in the dark, but I can't record in the dark. And I mean to
transport listeners to a moonlit library, when I am actually in
front of my digital audio workstation. Illusion is illusion no
matter the medium, and an effective illusion does take preparation,
additionally so because I mean to convey truth within the artifice: the
guy on the pod is my real self, not a role. What's a typical
recording session for an episode of your podcast like?
Maddening... at first. I habitually and repeatedly scrap entire show
recordings and start over. I do this until I am satisfied. It has to be
right. The
$64-question of course, where can Bill Oberst jr's Gothic Goodnight
be heard?
The pod's home is
https://bill-oberst-jr-gothic-goodnight.captivate.fm.
If folks prefer to listen on their favorite podcast app, there are links
to the show on all the major apps at
https://bill-oberst-jr-gothic-goodnight.captivate.fm/listen.
Anything you can tell us about the feedback to
your show yet?
Listeners say it helps them go to sleep! Which is the intention, so I'm
happy. The general response has been "It's like you are whispering
in the dark in a corner of my room." Which could be a scary thing,
but horror fans tend to embrace the darkness, and that's a healthy
choice in this life, I think.
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What's in the future for Bill Oberst
jr's Gothic Goodnight? And any other future projects you'd like to
share?
As long as corona virus shut-in continues, I'll continue the pod.
Perhaps I'll follow it up with another type of podcast in future, but I
can tell you that I won't do any podcast longer than 30 minutes, ever.
I'm a big believer in small bites. My next film release will be Mark
Savage's new thriller Painkiller later this year. Anything else you're dying to mention and I have
merely forgotten to ask?
Only to say thank you, Mike. For years now you have been supportive of
the independent arts and the independent artist. It is so very
appreciated. You're a good man, my friend. Thanks for the interview!
Thank YOU.
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