by Jen
Our regular readers may have deduced by now that I've left the chilly temperatures of Atlanta behind and taken up residence in the warmer clime of the Southwest - namely, the outskirts of Phoenix. What better time to discover a podcast that everyone else who's cool has known about for the past two or more years?
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I've been spending copious amounts of time getting to know the treasures that hide in the (supposedly) fictional town of Night Vale. The podcast Welcome to Night Vale is a presented as a community radio broadcast for a town with decidedly Lovecraftian overtones. With its half hour format, which includes ominous and cryptic messages from unlikely sponsors and a musical interlude known as The Weather, this podcast has become a great companion for the hours I have spent unpacking copious amounts of boxes and driving around unfamiliar roads trying not to rely too heavily on my GPS.
As a new resident of the Southwest, I enjoy the descriptions of the town of Night Vale (and its much maligned nearby neighbor Desert Bluffs) - from the dog park that no one is supposed to acknowledge to the Mayor who shouts denials of just about anything at her daily press conferences, it seems like a place I'd like to visit - assuming the Sheriff's Secret Police would allow an outsider admittance.
If you're a fan of Lovecraftian horror and dark humor, check out Welcome to Night Vale. You can even visit their website, where you'll find a wide selection of items available for purchase, including t-shirts and girl scout patches. My favorite is the flask that reads, "If you see something, say nothing, and drink to forget."
The podcast began in 2012 and is still going strong. New episodes are released twice monthly, and this spring they are going on tour! I've already got my tickets, and can't wait to see the live show in April.
If you don't hear from me after that, you can assume I accepted an internship at the Night Vale radio station - and begin offering ritual sacrifices for the safety of my immortal soul.
