{Electronic/City]

There’s an old joke that, for the cost of Amazon.com’s best-reviewed sub-$50 microphone and a bit of web hosting, anyone can have a podcast. And in a way, that’s true.

Over the past decade, podcasts—audio programs that are released online, generally for free, that anyone can subscribe to and download onto their phone or computer—have exploded. Mega-podcasts like Serial, WTF with Marc Maron, and This American Life get millions of downloads every episode, but these barely scratch the surface. By one estimate, there are now over 250,000 podcasts in 100 languages, many of which only get a few thousand downloads (or significantly less).

“We live in a niche time,” says Peterborough’s Doug Tilley, who co-hosts two podcasts (and writes Electric City Magazine’s Pop Rant column). “If you like something, you can delve into it to a ridiculous degree. You can surround yourself with people who love it and you can find media that’s directly about it.”

In Peterborough, the podcast scene is, like so much of the internet, a strange and amorphous beast—popping up in odd little corners, full of creativity and invention, but never really united into a single visible whole. And yet, in researching this article, I found at least 23 podcasts coming out of the city.

Many of these choose as their particular ‘niche’ the city of Peterborough itself, including Pints of Peterborough, which interviews local luminaries, and Page Source, which looks at current events. Says Page Source co-host Tim Kingston, “You really can tell that there are people out there looking for something both modern and local.” Other local podcasts cover a diversity of interests: music, religion, marijuana, international news, fiction, and so on.

Not surprisingly, many on the local podcasting scene come from radio. “I’ve always found myself really comfortable behind a microphone or in a one-on-one conversation,” says Matt Diamond, a DJ on The Wolf who co-hosts the musician interview podcast Knobs. “And in general, the podcast is really just a one-on-one conversation.” There’s also BOB FM’s Carrie O, who co-hosts Page Source, and a number of Trent Radio hosts, who are increasingly releasing their episodes as podcasts too.

But there are key differences between radio and podcasts. Radio is often corporate-controlled, meaning a higher barrier for entry and less creative control. And it’s also ephemeral. A radio program only exists during the time it’s airing, and then it’s gone, along with the information conveyed and all the work that went into it. This can be an advantage—Trent Radio has been an essential proving ground for new talent, where people can find their voice in a very low-stakes format—but it’s not without its problems.

Take Crime City, a serialized drama in the style of old-time radio, recorded monthly live at the Theatre on King and then released as a podcast. “I wanted to do it as an ongoing thing,” explains series creator Andrew Root, “and if people miss the first episode or can’t make it, they’re going to miss part of the story.”

The podcast archive—the ability to go back and listen from the start, or pick and choose episodes that interest you—can be a powerful tool.

The problem is, while podcasts are relatively easy to make, there’s no guarantee of quality. All too many podcasts fail to say anything interesting or be entertaining, descending into aimless conversation. “Each episode needs to be story-based or you’ll lose your audience,” says Ayesha Barmania, a Trent Radio regular who’s since moved on to the CBC. “It’s not like radio where you can passively tune in and out. With podcasts, people are choosing to download, and if it’s not interesting, they’ll turn it off.”

Barmania is working to improve and unite the local podcast scene, with a series of podcasting skills workshops taking place in July, teaching people how to tell effective stories in audio format, as well as the technical side of how to record and edit audio.

How many podcasts (and how many good podcasts) come out of that is yet to be seen, but in my research for this article, I heard about almost as many plans for upcoming podcasts as actual current podcasts. It’s safe to say this is a scene that’s continuing to expand, testing the waters and finding a brand-new digital voice.











The Peterborough Podcast Directory

The following is a (more or less) complete listing of current podcasts coming out of Peterborough, with recommended ‘starter’ episodes to get the flavour of the show.

For podcast newbies, this beginner’s guide will help explain how to subscribe and listen to podcasts.

The Antidote

“Christian music that doesn’t suck,” featuring music from a diversity of artists, including big names and underground bands.

Start with: “Silent Planet,” “Family Force Five (Parts 1 and 2)”

official site // iTunes // RSS

Animator’s Guide to Virtual Reality VR

Exploring the new world of virtual reality animation and gaming, with an emphasis on promoting local talent and interviewing top industry people.

Start with: “Eloi Champagne, Technical Director, NFB Montréal,” “Vincent McCurley, NFB Creative Technologist,” “Doug Tilley, Pop Culture Critic, Independent Low Budget Filmmaking”

official site // iTunes // RSS

The City That Listens

A weekly show on Trent Radio hosted by Jason Hartwick interviewing the community builders who are trying to make a difference in Peterborough.

Start with: “Peter Pula,” “Peter Williams”

official site // Soundcloud // RSS

Calvary Pentecostal Church

Messages from the Sunday service by Rev. Bill Martin at the local church.

Start with: any episode

official site // iTunes // RSS

Choose Your Own Adventure

Hosts Em Minthorn and Chris Lawson read from the classic Choose Your Own Adventure book series, taking advice from the audience on their choices (currently on summer break).

Start with: any episode

official site // Soundcloud // RSS

Crime City

A serialized film-noir drama in the style of old-time radio, recorded live and performed by local actors.

Start with: the beginning, “Episode 1: The Art Wants What the Art Wants”

official site // Soundcloud // iTunes // RSS

Cuba in Motion

An exploration of the unique history and culture of Cuba, including political and economic issues, and focused on Cuban music, hosted by Larry Saidman on Trent Radio.

Start with: Episode 1

official site

Eric Roberts is the F$%&ing Man

Doug Tilley and Liam O’Donnell take an irreverent deep dive into the 400+ movie career of actor Eric Roberts.

Start with: “Miss Castaway and the Island Girls/Wrong Cops,” “The Coca-Cola Kid/Celebrity Wife Swap”

official site // iTunes // RSS

Hey Kids Comics

Chris Gilpin, Dan Collins, Martin Boruta, and Sam Tweedle explore comic books and comic culture.

Start with: Episode 6 (best of), Episode 30 (on the closing of Dixon’s Books)

official site

The Hot Box Lounge

Petey Herbz and Dave Illeagle discuss hip hop and weed culture, playing music and discussing news, artists, and upcoming events.

Start with: any episode

official site // Mixcloud // RSS

Knobs

Matt Diamond and Chris Nickle interview musicians, often from big-name bands, about their gear and their love of music.

Start with: “Jason Lytle” (Grandaddy), “Dan Boeckner” (Wolf Parade, Operators)

official site // iTunes // RSS

Musical Therapy

An exploration of music as a method for therapy and guiding personal growth, hosted by Larry Saidman on Trent Radio (currently on summer break).

Start with: Episode 1

official site

No Budget Nightmares

Doug Tilley and Moe Porne explore the strange world of no-budget filmmaking, with long funny reviews of obscure movies.

Start with: “Science Crazed”

official site // iTunes // RSS

Dudecast

A podcast about “Dude-ism,” a religion based around the teachings of movie The Big Lebowski, preaching abiding, going with the flow, and being good to those around you. Peterborough’s CL McEachern is the new co-host.

Start with: CL’s debut, “Episode 8: Where’s the Money Lebowski”

official site // iTunes // RSS

Page Source

A varied look at local current events, pop culture, politics, and more. This podcast includes flagship show TK & Co, politics-themed Play Politics, and more themed podcasts to come.

Start with: “TK & Co. #1,” “Play Politics #1 with Tim Etherington”

official site // Soundcloud // iTunes // RSS

Peterborough Pajama Show

“Your weekly pajama party” from Trent Radio, with Bradley Boyle and Angelica May exploring music, relationships, and queer culture.

Start with: “It’s Honesty Hour with Evangeline Gentle”

official site // Soundcloud // RSS

Peterborough Living

A Trent Radio show hosted by Sabrina Calogeracos highlighting the best of Peterborough in summer and playing Canadian music.

Start with: “Walking Outside & Planting Flowers” or the most recent episode (for current events)

Soundcloud // RSS

Pints of Peterborough

Ryan Lowe interviews a wide range of people in Peterborough about their passions and their interesting careers.

Start with: “Getting Beat Up Every Day with Leslie Bradford Scott”

official site // Soundcloud // RSS

Reciprocal Presupposition

Joshua Noiseux helps translate political and cultural theory into accessible language and showcase the interconnections that make up our political world. Featuring interviews with Trent faculty, students, and local artists.

Start with: Episode 000

official site // Soundcloud // RSS

Rum N Jokes

Improvisers Daniel Smith, Mike Judson, and Luke Foster with an irreverent take on current events and improv games.

Start with: any episode

Soundcloud // RSS

Sound Proof

Creative non-fiction for audio with field recordings, personal journals, musical investigations and more, from Lester Alfonso. Starts regular episodes in September.

Start with: Episode 1

official site // RSS

Trent Variety

Host Joshua Skinner discusses a range of issues with regular guests, ranging from pop culture to important world issues.

Start with: “The Troubling Trial of Jian Ghomeshi,” “Does Game of Thrones Suck?”

Soundcloud // RSS

Trent Voices

Donald Fraser interviews exceptional Trent graduates about their lives, their work, current events, and Peterborough.

Start with: “Ian Tamblyn (Parts 1 and 2),” “Diane Therrien”

official site // RSS

Uke Box

Lester Alfonso’s ‘all-ukulele radio show,’ featuring ukulele music in a different theme each week.

Start with: “Elof and Wamberg”

official site // RSS

Updated July 22 – added “Animator’s Guide to Virtual Reality VR,” spelling corrections in “No Budget Nightmares.”

Crime City photo by Bryan Reid.