Uh, this got a little long...recs for mostly due South & Bandom

[akamine_chan]

This got long. I think about 30 recs, plus associated blather.


I was lucky enough to get into fandom just as podfics were becoming a fannish thing, and doubly lucky to be in a fandom where there were several very good and very prolific podficcers. So my love of podfics stretches back quite a few years.

It's been fascinating to watch the evolution of podfics, from something that was considered subordinate to the fic to celebrated fanworks in their own right. I remember when the addition of music or sound effects was shocking and many podficcers wouldn't even consider it because of the outcry that caused.

I remember when no one had blanket permission for podfics and podficcers had to ask for permission each and every time. /o\

I've watched podficcers own their creations, demand that they be acknowledged as creators on par with authors. I've watched as the perception of podfic has shifted over the last five years or so from "stories being read out loud" to artistic performances. And it's been a wonderful transformation to watch.

It's made me happy to see podficcing grow as an creative endeavor, to see it being treated with the respect it deserves. I'm very happy that podficcers are finding each other and providing support and advice to each other in their art. And as an author, I'm pleased that more podficcers and authors are coming together to collaborate on projects.

I love the fact that podfics have their own podficbigbang, that there's a podfic component of bandombigbang, and there's pod_together to encourage collaboration.

It's going to be interesting to see the next step that fandom takes, what new form or format we will invent, create, steal, fold, bend, staple and mangle.

In the meantime, have a rather longish list of my favorite podficcers and the stories they've whispered in my ear.


The very first podfic I ever listened to was Tangled, a short due South story written and read by sli. I was enchanted, and hooked. Slidellra has a way of bringing such brightness to her performance; listening to her always feels like sunshine, even if the subject matter happens to be dark. Also, just so you know, her voice is sweetly husky and perfectly suited to read porn. Check out her master list.

Tangled | due South | gen | 08:02 | G - sweet and fluffy and Slidellra never fails to make me laugh with this one.

Same Old, Same Old | Hard Core Logo | Joe Dick/Billy Tallent | 06:30 | NC17 - dark and perfectly fucked up, sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.

Unplugged written by cesperanza | due South | gen | 20:07 | R - Speranza is a big name in a lot of fandoms, and for good reason: she an excellent writer. Slidellra takes this perfectly drawn Welsh-pov character sketch and makes us see Ray through his eyes.


zabira is another early podficcer that I imprinted on and I've been fortunate that she's podficced a huge number of my favorite stories. Zabira's such a talented, wide-ranging performer, well suited to everything from humorous stories to the most serious, angst-filled dark fics. I think she excels at the humor, mainly because you can hear the hint of a giggle in her voice as she reads, and it makes me smile. Check out her master list.

Juggling Act written by cesperanza | due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski | 03:07:08 | NC17 - This is such a fun, silly story and Zabira does it justice. Just listening to her performance makes me giggle and Scooter the masturbating parrot NEVER fails to brighten my day.

Four Men In Three Boats written by llassah | Hard Core Logo | Joe Dick/Billy Tallent | 08:02 | NC17 - Probably my favorite HCL story, and I was so happy when Zabira recorded it. Zabira's voice draws you into the story, carries you along and eases you into the ending in such a comforting way.

Wings of Desire written by nos4ano9| due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski | 01:12:51 | NC17 - This story is absolutely lovely, and Zabira manages to infuse her performance with the delicacy and longing that stays true to both sets of source material.


luzula is another early podficcer - she and I got into due South at about the same time, so I've been listening to Luzula as long as I've been in fandom. She has a lovely voice, soft and sweet, and she's a great technical podficcer - her enunciation and diction and pacing are perfect. Additionally, she has a wonderful singing voice and on occasion, filks. Check out her masterlist.

The Story of Marli-hrair and the Black Rabbit of Inle written by edanohana | Watership Down | gen | 15:58 | G - Luzula has a vocal cadence well suited to fairy tales and this story proves it.

American Way written by resonant | due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski | 02:21:40 | NC17 - You can hear the smile on her face as she reads this fun and extremely hot story. It makes me happy hear her smile.

Pact Sunt Servanda written by arrow00 | due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski | 15:37 | NC17 - This story is hysterically funny, and yet Luzula manages to get through the whole thing without breaking down into giggles, though you can hear a hint of laughter in her voice. Her understated reading of this story just adds to the humor.

In The Sewers He Lies Dreaming written by spuffyduds | due South | gen | 14:45 | R - Luzula does wonders with this creepy story, infusing it with a sense of menace and doom that still kinda freaks me out.


argentumlupine is the first podficcer I ran across that used distinctive voices for different characters, and I fell in love with that. Her voice is clear and lovely, and um, I might really, really like the way she sounds when she reads the naughty bits. Like, more than probably is good for me. Argentumlupine's other strength is the amount of emotion she manages to put into her reading - whether it's anger or want or joy - you experience what the character is feeling through the magic of her voice. I kinda love her a lot. Check out her master list.

Tints of Rainbow Hue written by turps | Bandom | Frank Iero/Mikey Way | 01:37:39 | R - This is not a happy story, but there's this one bit, toward the end, where Argentumlupine's voice catches and it fucking guts me; I start sobbing. I can't believe how much emotion her reading of this story pulls out of me.

Run written by mrsronweasley | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | 05:57:32 | NC17 - This is one of my long-term comfort stories and I was so happy that she recorded this. Her interpretation of Donna Way is perfectly divine. And oh, yeah. Um, hotter than hell.

On The Midtown Direct written by mistresscurvy | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | 01:53:26 | NC17 - Such a sweet story, and Argentumlupine's reading of it is soothing and comforting, her voice like a favorite blanket, wrapping around you, warm and safe.

The Fall and Rise of the Black Parade written by wordslinging | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way, Ray Toro/Mikey Way | 04:51:29 | R - Excellent use of character voices and music! It was the first time I heard Argentumlupine's Ray-voice and I just fell in love.


andeincascade in my go-to podficcer. Her voice is soft and steady, and she has a this way of getting emotions across that's just perfect to me. She understands the characters and she manages to express that with her voice and intonation, the cadence and pacing of her performance. Check out her works at AO3 and the Audiofic Archive.

Destination written by spuffyduds | Hard Core Logo | Joe Dick/Billy Tallent | 05:53 | R - This story is like a kick in the gut and Ande's reading of it gives nothing away until the bitter end.

A Name of One's Own written by luzula | due South | gen | 09:50 | G - This is a lovely gen story and Ande's voice adds a bit of softness to Maggie Mackenzie's rough edges.

Outside/Inside written by anna_unfolding | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | 09:54 | R - This is such a layered story and Ande does a wonderful job of contributing to that with her voice, drawing out the story to its natural conclusion with pitch-perfect pacing.


I have a handful of comfort fics - fics that I go to every single time I'm sad or feeling down, and somehow knight_tracer has recorded three of them. She has this way of reading which is so well suited to these stories: warm and emotional and so true to the characters and their lives. She draws me in and makes me believe. Check out her master list.

Home is a Name written by arsenicjade | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way, Ray Toro/Mikey Way | 05:05:08 | NC17 - I love this story, and Knight_tracer's performance of it made me love it even more, somehow. I hear the pain and anguish that both Frank and Gerard struggle with as they stumble toward each other, and Mikey's fear, too. And Ray's steadiness, all conveyed perfectly through her voice.

Artist!Gerard and Catholic!Frank written by sena | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | 02:34:04 | R - Yeah, this story rocked my world, and Knight_tracer's reading of it did the same. When Gerard is talking to Frank on the phone, asking why? Makes me totally break down.

Discipline and Punish 'verse (Part 1 Part 2) written by arsenicjade | Bandom | Frank Iero/Mikey Way, Bob Bryar/Gerard Way |18+ hours | NC17 - This one one of the first stories I read in Bandom, and I clearly remember telling glitteryv that I didn't like prison!AUs. *sigh* Knight_tracer takes me on a long journey through the evolution and growth of these characters, one painful step at a time and I can hear every bit of that struggle in her voice.



Measured Out In Miles written by zarathuse, performed by erica_schall | Bandom | gen | 22:14 | PG13 - Erica has a lovely voice, and a great sense of pacing that I really enjoyed. I hope we hear more from her.

We're All Okay written by rivers_bend, performed by cee_m | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | 02:19:43 | NC17 - Cee's voice is clear as a bell and works so well with high school Frank and Gerard. The part where Frank is confused about Gerard living in the basement had me rolling on the floor with giggles.

Baby My Heart's Ticking Only For You written by almostblue, performed by leish | Bandom | Pete Wentz/Mikey Way | 20:07 | R - I loved the way Leish voiced the characters in this one, especially Mikey's deadpan delivery.

Nothing Comes As Easy As You written by rivers_bend, performed by heard_the_owl | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way| 53:08 | NC17 - Um, hot. Yeah. And perfectly Frank and Gerard. And hot? Did I mention that?

In A Barbie World written by coreopsis, performed by reena_jenkins | Bandom | gen | 05:39 | R - I just listened to this today, and really: hahahahahaha! Reena had me giggling straight through her whole performance and her snark is perfect.


Hawks and Hands written by dsudis, performed by issaro | due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski | 27+ hours | NC17 - Issaro's perfomance of this fandom classic is nothing short of amazing; her intuitive grasp of the characters is wonderful.

Nightswimming written by wax_jism, performed by greedy_dancer | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | WIP | NC17 - GD is such an amazing podficcer and her performance of this story has me riveted every time I listen.

Anatomy of a Fall written by novembersmith, performed by klb | Bandom | Frank Iero/Gerard Way | WIP | NC17 - Klb is another extremely talented performer, but I love this story and she manages to perfectly perfectly capture Gerard's ridiculously teenage ennui.

Ordinary Days by busaikko | due South | gen | 14:00 | R - Busaikko performs this story in a breezy and matter-of-fact manner that does nothing to dimish the heartbreak of the story.

Adorned written by resonant, performed by nos4a2no9 | due South | Benton Fraser/Ray Kowlaski | 42:59 | NC17 - This my absolutely favorite story in due South and Nos managed to capture the reasons I love it in her performance. Fraser's certainty and steadfastness, Kowalski's journey to find himself through the lens of his history, all of it highlighted by Nos' voice and her sense of rhythm and pacing.


And some final thoughts:

If you are an author, please consider putting a blanket statement somewhere that podficcers can find. Your Dreamwidth or LiveJournal or AO3 profiles are great places. Add your name to the permission to record list at Amplificathon or the Fanlore list. Your chances of getting podficced increase if you do that.

Please take a moment to feedback podficcers. The ratio for hits-to-comments is bad for fic; it's absolutely horribly abysmal for podfic. Feed the creators. I know it's hard, because you download and walk away to listen, so there's not an immediate response to the podfic. But make the effort to go back and comment. Pretty please.

And, lastly, if you are a podficcer, try to make sure you have a master list, or a note saying where your podfics can be found. And keep it updated. It makes reccing your works easier, and new listeners are less likely to listen if they have to dig for your work.

This was by no means a complete list of my favorites. There are so many talented podficcers out there that I couldn't even begin to cover them all.

Some resources:

Audiofic Archive
klb's Bandom Podfic Masterlists: MCR flavored, Panic flavored (Anyone know if there's a FOB version? Or other bandom bands?)
amplificathon | amplificathon

ETA:
helens78's Podfic post
greedy_dancer's So I asked to record your fic! post

Comments

[greedy_dancer]

I am honoured that you're still enjoying Nightswimming. This is a an amazing recs post.

♥ ♥ ♥

[akamine_chan]

Thanks, sweetie. And yeah, I owe you a long comment on Nightswimming. /o\

[podcath]

What an amazing rec post!

And this, is the most gorgeous articulation of a fundamental shift that is amazing to behold, I agree!

I've watched podficcers own their creations, demand that they be acknowledged as creators on par with authors. I've watched as the perception of podfic has shifted over the last five years or so from "stories being read out loud" to artistic performances. And it's been a wonderful transformation to watch.

Thank you for saying this!!!

[akamine_chan]

You're welcome. I've been watching the perceptual shift happily, because I want podficcers to get the credit and recognition they deserve. \o/

[hazelwho]

I'm snagging at least half a dozen of these. Thanks for so many lovely recs, Aka!

[akamine_chan]

\o/

[croissantkatie]

This is such a fab recs post. Snagging a few of these I don't have! And I loved your introducation and concluding paragraph.

[akamine_chan]

I'm glad, bb. I love podfics and podficcers. *twirls you*

[jesse_the_k]

Thanks for organizing this post, which will be useful for years!

You even have some Due South stories I've missed.

\0/ \aka/

[akamine_chan]

I'm glad. *twirls you*

[luzula]

Thank you! ♥

Have you ever wanted to do podfic yourself? Just curious.

*downloads a couple of bandom podfics that sound like they don't need canon knowledge*

[akamine_chan]

You're welcome, sweetie. And no, podfic's never been something I've ever really been interested in doing. *shrug* Hope you enjoy whatever you downloaded. *g*

[glitteryv]

Oh, Aka, this is such a faboo post! I had NO idea argentumlupine had done Run *cue me going @____________________________________@ for reasons that are v., v. obvious before running like hell to dl it*

Also: yays for the "In a Barbie World" podfic! (I had no idea there was one). :DDDDDD!

busaikko's Ordinary Days is one of the few dS podfics I still listen to and have FEEEEEEELINGS about. Such a great fic and a fantastic reading!

This one one of the first stories I read in Bandom, and I clearly remember telling glitteryv that I didn't like prison!AUs. *sigh

LOL, I remember that too. IIRC, I kept telling you that you totes had to give it a chance. It might be weird but both the fic AND the podfic are comfort blankets for me.

Again, awesome post is awesome, bb. I loved your recs (deffo thumbs up for them) as well as your words regarding podfic's place in Fandom and how we fuel the podfic flame. ^_^

[akamine_chan]

Love you. That is all.

[spuffyduds]

What a gorgeous post.

[akamine_chan]

Thanks, bb. *twirls you*

[ride_4ever]

Awesome post is indeed awesome! TYK, aka!