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cakeradio · 3 days ago

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ULTRAVIOLENCE: A Review of KILLJAM XXX

KILLJAM XXX follows the story of Faustina (Fucking) Fetamine, a famous blood sport competitor, better known as Jammers, whose reputation is thoroughly tarnished during the height of her career. Disgraced, broke, and now being targeted by fellow Jammers out for her blood, she's forced to trudge through the seedy slums of her cyberpunk city and work her way back to the top one fight at a time.

Along the way, she partners up with Bellamy Pink, her newly appointed manager, who is as strapped for cash as he is dignity. Despite the two coming from entirely different sides of their fast-paced and batshit environment, they must work together if it means restoring Faustina's honor and putting an end to the evil forces that sabotaged her from the start.

KILLJAM XXX comes to us from the We Are Not Alive people who are garnering quit an interesting collection of audio dramas that have spanned for most of the new roaring 20's.

2020 gave us Less is Morgue, an eccentric buddy horror-comedy, 2022 brought along The Kingmaker Histories, a narratively rich steampunk saga, and now, in our the year of a our lord and savior 2025 is KILLJAM XXX, an anime styled sci-fi comedy brawler.

Yes, this is easily the most relevant I've been with my reviews in a while, thanks for noticing. Pardon me for striking while the iron is hot-I really should do it more often-but KILLJAM XXX is the kind of show that is simply hard to ignore.

With its flashy aesthetics and incredibly unconventional plot that's more evocative of anime than it is audio drama, its one of the most exciting newcomers to arrive on the scene in, well...awhile.

The late 2024 to mid 2025 release schedule has been quite a sight to see with KILLJAM, Metropolis, and The Holmwood Foundation undeniably being the forefront of the conversation-and for good reason at that.

Those shows I'll get to some other time, but, at least for today, I want to discuss not just KILLJAM XXX as a show, but what I feel it represents for the realm of fiction podcasting as a whole.

Now, you're probably all thinking the same thing: you've heard scary shows, you've heard sci-fi shows, but an action oriented audio drama heavily inspired by anime, is one that should, ordinarily, defy every possible narrative and technical convention there is.

The problem that would logically arise from referencing such a visual medium is the inevitable hurdle of trying to make all that action digestible in a sound based format.

And how well does that translate to audio?

Surprisingly well, if I'm being honest.

Aside from the occasional varying mic quality during some dialogue scenes, the sound design of KILLJAM is top notch. Its hyperpop and techno soundtrack meshes perfectly with its setting and nicely scores any high octane battles whenever they occur.

Though the sports commentators definitely do a lot of the heavy lifting during these moments, the sheer mastery of KILLJAM’s sound design makes every single swing of a sword and thrown punch fully realized. And in a show with stakes this high and violence this extreme, KILLJAM XXX spares no expense making that gore gripping and that action amazingly visceral.

Leading lady Faustina is an infectiously upbeat protagonist, not once losing her optimistic worldview despite the trials that have been forced upon her which contrasts nicely with the far more cynical and desperate Bellamy whose every action just reeks of desperation.

Admirably so, of course. I'm a sucker for an odd couple, and though the two of them have more chemistry as coworkers than they do friends, it makes me interested in how their relationship comes to develop.

I would definitely say it's Faustina's charisma that carries the show which contrasts her nicely with the stern and stoic antagonist Dirge who pulls strings behind the scenes. And though his dialogue is menacing and his presence is undeniably felt throughout the story, he's just a little too generically evil for my tastes.

Hateable, yes, but not really in a fun way. At least not in the way a lot of the one-off antagonists are.

The Jammers that inhabit the KILLJAM universe are every shade of insane, each one with a unique set of powers, combat prowess, and bombastic gimmick that feels very WWE-esque. So when they inevitably do die horribly, you at least get to eat up the imagery the show does an excellent job of delivering.

Now, a show that critiques sensationalized violence yet prominently features it seems hypocritical on the surface, but I feel KILLJAM XXX masters this balance with a surprising elegance and self-referential humor.

One of my favorite scenes is in episode six where Faustina agrees to film a commercial for a cheap weapons shop. And, in the midst of a battle, has to prattle off complimentary slogans about a number of faulty weapons that break and snap at the slightest bit of force.

It's teensy little worldbuilding details like this that really grab me in a show. I find the idea of a rundown weapons outlet to already be a humorous concept, but that would also imply there are much more expensive, much higher end weapons outlets in order this one to even exist.

Despite its main draw being in its absolute extremes, KILLJAM never moves at such a breakneck pace that you can't catch up with it and does a good job making this fantastical setting feel very much lived in-for I feel even an insane world can be an understandable world.

And yet, I feel that behind its neon spray paint and seemingly immature outer layers lies an in-depth, if somewhat exuberant, commentary about the entertainment industry, about sex, about violence, and how women are often the losing players in both.

On a slightly related note, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt just started its new season after a fifteen-year hiatus. This is either the start of fourth wave feminism or 2025 is the year of proving you can master both style and substance.

Pair that with the surprise success of KPop Demon Hunters and that one dating sim where you fuck your furniture, and this is shaping up to be the summer of subversive art.

And much like the media mentioned above, I feel something about the mere existence of KILLJAM XXX feels rebellious, maybe even anarchist.

I'd dare say that KILLJAM XXX is the most-and not to steal a terminology here but it's easily best way I can summarize it- "post-punk" audio drama has been in a long while.

Now, I know I talk about variety and pushing creative boundaries a lot on this account. I've grown vocally, even controversially, bored of copy-paste genres: I think the eccentric sci-fi found family on a spaceship plot is absolutely trite and I think horror shows need to step up their game and get out of those goddamn woods already.

So pardon me, if when a show takes traditional genre conventions and gives it a good little shake, I can't help but cheer them on.

Now that I think about it, what else would I put in the "post-punk" audio drama category?

Kakos Industries certainly comes to mind. You'd be hard pressed to find something so incredibly indulgent.

Dreamboy? It's surreal, it's deeply erotic, and unabashedly queer.

The Meat Blockade, as short lived as it was, was a daring attempt at a Kafkaesque styled black comedy.

Adventures in New America? Undeniably an angry letter about the trials and tribulations of the lower class in the form of an absurdist political satire.

And if there's anything that exemplifies the "post-punk" subgenre of fiction podcasts, it's undeniably KILLJAM XXX with all it gracious violence and swearing and blatant disregard for the traditions of its medium.

A show of this rare genetic makeup is most definitely the byproduct of a bunch of outspoken creatives-the audio equivalent of being mugged in a dark alley with a glowstick while their getaway driver blasts Charli XCX's Brat.

KILLJAM XXX may not sit right with you if you're looking for a more traditional podcast experience, and it's far from a show I'd recommend to newcomers, but I feel it's well worth a look just for the fact it even exists as a form of artistic expression.

It is at least proof that there is somebody, somewhere, that is isn't aiming to make the next Night Vale or the next Wolf 359 or the next The Black Tapes-KILLJAM XXX aims to be itself and only itself and honestly I'd love to see how much more of itself it can become.

And so I leave you with this statement to chew on: The question should never be, can a shounen battle anime styled show possibly work in an audio format? The question should be, has anyone ever tried?

if you want to support my writing, cake radio has a ko-fi and patreon in need of funds to keep this bakery open. thank you for reading and stay sweet.

#killjam xxx #the kingmaker histories #less is morgue #we are not alive #dreamboy #the meat blockade #adventures in new america #audio drama #podcast #audio drama sunday #cake radio #podcake #review #kakos industries

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cakeradio · 4 days ago

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available only to $5 and up patrons

#podcake #cake radio #podcast #patreon #audio drama #2025

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cakeradio · 5 days ago

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hiiii

i'm currently unemployed and waiting for the process of unemployment to kick in or a job to call me back! if anyone is in a position to help out i would dearly appreciate it ❤️

my ko-fi my paypal email is [email protected]

please don't feel pressured to help if you don't have the resources. thankfully i do still have food stamps so i'm able to eat, i just don't have a steady income again for about a month until i can get the paperwork in the mail and sent back for unemployment and i should get paid sometime after that's all sorted out and after a waiting period.

i'm disabled and i'm really really hoping that i can find a job that suits my needs but i will honesty just be happy to get a call back at this point. tbh even if y'all can just put good vibes out for me, that would be wonderful. thanks <3

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cakeradio · 6 days ago

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Sexiest Podcast Character 2024 — Scripted Bracket — Round 7.5

Propaganda from Round 7:

CAN WE GET THEM TO TIE

My propaganda for this is that Mari (who is pansexual) has literally only dated women until the events of Hi Nay (at which point she meets emotionally constipated grumpy Detective Donner with the musical tastes of a ninety year old and falls in love) so being surrounded by all these other fantastic women would make her very happy

WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME I LOVE THEM BOTH

THE POLL WILL NOT DIVIDE US, THEY WILL ALL KISS ON THE MOUTH!

Art of Madge Stallion, Antigone Funn, and Renée Minkowski generously illustrated by @acornzest.

Additional propaganda below the cut:

Mari Datuin (Hi Nay) (Boba Count: 1):

Shes pan, shes fillipina, she might be God. She talked to the cops without a lawyer, and let them into her home without a lawyer [DONT DO THAT] but she did it for the plot. She’s gorgeous, shes chubby, she loves bubble tea. She was the mediator/ divorce lawyer for a breakup between two of her friends. She has reasonable beef with old people, shes fighting a cult, she is viciously allergic to therapy. Objectively a Character Of All Time. Listen to the podcast if you haven’t.

#in her defence the cops were hot but also she was wrong for that even if she ends up loving them ; do not let cops into your house #character of all time 🥹

#i don't go here but i read filipina and felt my pinoy pride shine through

#<- you should go here come to the dark side

#Mari is the sexiest sexy podcast character she has it ALL

This is propaganda for all the female characters. Voters please remember how pretty all women are and factor that into every single vote you make. Thank you.

please let the canonically fat, Brown Queer Filipina be the definition of sexy, we can make it happen <3

VOTE MARI VOTE MARI I LOVE YOU MARI

Vote for Mari she's cute she's hot and she's voiced by a real life Brown person and she's the nonwhite female protagonist of a horror podcast, which is statistically like seeing ball lightning in real life

Manifesting Mari dominating this poll and then FINALLY going to therapy (she never will but she will continue to be a badass, amazing hero!

she's literally just sexy can we all agree

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Mari laughing animation by @motziedapul.

Madge Stallion (Fawx & Stallion) (Boba Count: 2 and 5 shared):

Madge Stallion was submitted without propaganda.

we gotta get our girl some propaganda. she would hate it, but the mystery of it all is kinda part of the appeal here.

Madge stallion NEEDS no propaganda

Madge: so sexy she needs no propaganda

#madge propaganda time : #she will flirt with basically any girl she sees and oh she does it so well #also !!! she once flirted and got on with technically an enemy in the middle of a spying mission ???? #she went like 'oh sorry just gotta go to the loo' to go spy in the house got caught and flirted so well she 1/ got laid 2/ got information #3/ came back like nothing happened #with some motivation she could flirt and get a boner from a dead rock tbh #madge stallion IS THE SEXIEST

#madge stallion is a great woman to lose to

#Madge she's a sassy lesbian detective what else do you want

#madge stallion needs no propaganda #by virtue of being madge

Raging lesbian in a lavender marriage

Seduced someone working for the enemy

Is just as chaotic and at time brain cell-less as her male companions

Loyal but still willing to call her friend since childhood out on his bullshit

This is propaganda for all the female characters. Voters please remember how pretty all women are and factor that into every single vote you make. Thank you.

She canonically fucks. Like in canon she fucks so much. See above about seducing the enemy and then pepper in her on again off again romance with Martha Hudson.

This is the woman who always has anything you might need in her bustle. Portable phonographs, certainly, but what else? Alcohol, without doubt. Knives? Probably. More knives? Wouldn't be surprised. Candy? Always good to have something to mollify Hampton with. More alcohol? Well, James can always do with a little nip. Another knife? Why not? Lockpick set? I mean, where do you keep yours?

Madge propaganda from a show that had the pleasure of guesting with her! At the end of the day no matter how you squeeze or present it, a great character is a great character and Madge is the best by a mile. Wonderful one-liners, complex and layered relationships with everyone in the cast around her, a messy and real depiction of female sexuality (especially a lesbian!) that she is never punished or demeaned for, and all of this brought to life in a performance that could make a phone book fun. Look and you’ll see: Madge’s writing and acting speaks for itself!

Everyone messaging us “please let Madge kiss [redacted]” we will remember your support during this difficult time should this go our way

Madge is literally THE BEST EVER

Antigone Funn (Wooden Overcoats) (Boba Count: 2 and 5 shared):

What on earth could possibly be sexier than being presumed dead by the village she lives in at large. She genuinely cares about funerals as an art form, she puts so much care into her work. Possibly bisexual if that helps. Ghost wrote a wildly popular erotic novel with the help of village’s reverend. Come on just please vote for Antigone I’m so very sleepy and I can’t think of more reasons but I promise they’re there

Amazing character arc/growth; shadows follow her around; afraid of the sun; methanol is her drink of choice; is often told “I thought you were dead” despite a complete lack of evidence other than her deathly paleness; the morgue is her personal sanctuary; absolutely hilarious character; demanded to be co-owner of Funn Funerals with her brother rather than allowing him to continue running the business alone;(spoiler) decided NOT to get with her frenemy who she had been doing a will-they-won’t-they thing with the entire series!; writes smut in her free time

#antigone!!!!!!!!! #i just need one chance with her #she's perfect

This is propaganda for all the female characters. Voters please remember how pretty all women are and factor that into every single vote you make. Thank you.

I'm voting for Antigone not because she's sexier (she is) but because she needs at least One Win in her life. #girl failure solidarity

1. she is very sexy. We know she's deathly pale, she's described as transparent more than once as well as green and blue-skinned, she's 35~38 depending on what season you're listening to. She's allergic to like everything.

Her hair is canonically always a mess and she uses it to hold on to bones and things she's gonna need later. She wears the same dress every day (it has a hole in it)

She's one with the shadows and can blend in with her surroundings to a supernatural degree.

2. She is rough and socially inept and artistic and the most passionate person you can imagine. She puts her heart and soul into her work as a mortician, SHE CREATES PERSONALIZED EMBALMING FLUIDS TO MAKE THE CORPSES SMELL NICE and she WILL tell you about it.

She is somehow always angry or flustered about something and she will pull victorian era phrases you cannot imagine. She's been saying Christ Alive since before it was cool.

3. SHE LOVES SEXY THINGS!! she is the most fitting for this tournament cause she's the queen of learning to accept her desires!! She loves old french films and their weirdly shot sex scenes, she's canonically really good at writing erotica and likes to read it too. There's a whole episode dedicated to her conquering her fears and appearing on a naked calendar. Also we hear glimpses of her fantasies and she wants to tie up and dom the guy she likes so there's that too I guess.

She spent 17 years locked in her mortuary cause she was sad. SHE WANTED TO BECOME A CLOWN AS A KID. She is everything to me and I love juno very much but she is sexier and deserves to be known that way. VOTE ANTIGONE

Antigone's mess might be an acquired taste, but I think it's a deeply attractive mess.

SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH A BLOND GUY ONCE SHE EARNED HER REST

Renée Minkowski (Wolf 359) (Boba Count: 1 and 4 shared):

the most badass commander there is. she spent a week hunting a plant monster living on the air ducts of her station with a goddamn harpoon. she managed to keep her people alive and get them home. she managed to keep Eiffel alive for like five years and for that alone she deserves a fucking medal

She did not just spend one week hunting the plant monster, she spent TWO WEEKS hunting the plant monster. Later on, she used the very same harpoon to murder an evil capitalist WHILE SHE HAD A BULLET IN HER CHEST.

She works out. Muscle women. Enough said.

She's devoted to protecting her crew above all else, and despite her self-doubt, she's REALLY damn good at it.

She's a theater kid! She loves musicals! She writes showtunes! Sondheim is her favorite composer!

She's been trapped in a time loop, possibly multiple times.

She's haunted by the memory of the first time she took a life, and what's sexier than a character with regrets?

She Russian-Roulettes a guy into not blowing up her ship, and does such a good job of it that he never even realizes there aren't any bullets in her gun.

She's the best character in all of audio drama, I love her, she's beautiful, she's sexy, and she deserves every vote.

#minkowski my beloved. love of my life. other half of my heart. sexiest woman in podcast ever. i love her

#MINKOWSKI!!!!!! #i love her sooo much fun fact

#my girl! my favorite girl! she won! #let's keep this energy going everyone!

I don't really remember anything about Wolf 359 since I only listened to a few episodes so I'm throwing my lot in with whoever has the most compelling/funniest propaganda. I think this would be funny and I commit to nothing if not the bit

This is propaganda for all the female characters. Voters please remember how pretty all women are and factor that into every single vote you make. Thank you.

But. MINKOWSKI. Please read all that Minkowski propaganda I wrote and then consider voting for her. She's the love of my life and THE sexiest podcast woman, bar none.

Please. I beg of you. Read all the propaganda I wrote, and then vote Minkowski. If you're still not convinced:

She's a first-generation Polish immigrant, and a huge part of her arc is about feeling like she had to hide her identity and prove herself to make it in the US. When she lets her accent slip out in episode 52, it's the sexiest thing to ever happen.

She has the entire rule book for her space mission memorized so she can better take care of her ship.

She talks to ghosts on multiple occasions.

She has a gay little dynamic with the 2024 sexiest podcast character, Isabel Lovelace.

She expertly navigates multiple hostage situations.

Along with musicals, she's ALSO really into Sylvia Plath.

She lives under a rock and does not know anything about pop culture, which is adorable.

She writes show tunes!

MINKOWSKI DID NOT METALBGEAR SOLID HER WAY THROUGH A DERILECT SPACESHIP TO FIGHT A SENTIENT PLANT MONSTER FOR THIS

ADDITIONALLY, MINKOWSKI DID NOT KILL THE *NIGH-IMMORTAL BIG BAD OF THE WHOLE SERIES* WHO REPRESENTS CAPITALISM GONE AWRY WITH THE SAME HARPOON SHE HUNTED THE SENTIENT PLANT MONSTER WITH FOR THIS!!!

Madge Stallion & Antigone Funn & Renée Minkowski:

#madge #antigone #renee #THREE WAY ALL DAY #keep it tied!!!

I’m so sorry @sexiestpodcastcharacter but the funniest possible outcome is another tie and we are a comedy…

As Minkowski's #1 fan and a firm believer that gay sex would fix her, I am entirely pro-another tie. Minkowski's losing 55-45 right now- vote for her!

#EVERY #BODY #WINS!!!!

VOTE FOR MINKOWSKI AND CO.

#polycule power!

POLYCULE FOR THE WIN

#hi nay #fawx & stallion #wooden overcoats #wolf 359 #polls

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cakeradio · 6 days ago

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Hi, I want this to be the last GFM I try to make, so I'm gonna try to make this one count. My situation had changed drastically at the end of last month, and for the worse.

I'm only asking for help for the first two months at most to cover living with a roommate. I don't have a roommate yet, but I've been looking into it for days now, alongside looking for a job.

The current situation is detailed in the GFM itself, along with its summary. I am also opening emergency commissions. You can either commission me via VGEN or through dms/email, although I have everything I do listed on my site and not VGen. Anything is appreciated, especially reblogs and donations/commissions!

#commissions

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cakeradio · 7 days ago

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JAM 11 - “FAIRGROUND FIGHT NIGHT!” - IS NOW LIVE!

How did Mr. Dirge ruin Anna Konda’s life? We take a trip into her Jamming past to find out. Meanwhile, Faustina and Lex team up to take on Jackie Hammer at the Santa Muerte Pier, and a conspiracy is revealed.

FIND OUR FEEDS HERE, CUTIES! 💙

AND JOIN THE @podcast-bookclub DISCORD SERVER FOR THE OFFICIAL KILLJAM LISTEN PARTY!

CAST: @machetebisexual as Faustina Fetamine, @reignoftiramizu as Bellamy Pink, Moe Rock as Anna Konda, @amtrax as Mr. Dirge, Blythe Renay as Nala, Bradley Gareth as Narrator, @cannibalmukbang as Zarova, Link Stewart as Imari, Jan Aponte as Dr. Trinity “Trin” Perez, Kelly Nugent as Lex The Talon, @ghoulpepperv as Jackie Hammer, Gus Zagarella as Randy Macaque, and @holographicgoblinking as Jesse Bazooka.

Content Warnings and Transcripts In The Show Notes!

#killjam xxx

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cakeradio · 7 days ago

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Holy smokes! Metropolis just got to 20,000 downloads!

When I originally wrote this thing, I never really expected an audience. I basically told myself – "fifty people are ever going to listen to this, but you want to listen to it, so that's why it needs to be made."

I do really love listening to my own show. I'm just incredibly grateful that all of you enjoy listening to it too. 😄

#metropolis #congrats!!!

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cakeradio · 9 days ago

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Please welcome Jordan Cobb, Kristen DeMercurio, Felix Trench and Zach Valenti to the Arden family.

#arden #ahhh! what a lovely cast!

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cakeradio · 9 days ago

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Keep Up with ThirdSight Media

Perhaps you've noticed that we at ThirdSight Media have started launching new projects alongside @greaterblogston, whether that's @vandreasonable's gorgeous concept album The Perfect Sentence, or my own ongoing formalist exploration Exercises in Sound. We are hard at work on the fifth and final season of Greater Boston itself, but already mulling ideas for new projects to follow.

We used to rely primarily on social media for keeping our listeners updated on everything we get up to, but with the death of Twitter, and a seeming decline of social media in general, we've found getting word out to be increasingly difficult. But if you'd like to keep up to date on what we're doing, so you don't miss a development, there is a solution: We have a newsletter! Just clink that link and you can sign up!

#greater boston

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cakeradio · 9 days ago

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Season 4, Episode 10 - Rose dives into a series of dreams.

#the bright sessions

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cakeradio · 9 days ago

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to do the things I've dreamed about // a Rose musical inspo playlist

if you want me once; much more the fantasticks; the light in the piazza the light in the piazza; when I grow up matilda; the song of purple summer spring awakening; children and art sunday in the park with george; ring off keys fun home; I'm not afraid of anything songs from a new world; when he sees me waitress

#the bright sessions

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cakeradio · 9 days ago

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WE'RE CASTING!

The Children of Room 56 is recasting one of our main roles, Sam Moss, for the rest of Season 1, due to our original voice actor becoming unavailable.

You will not be expected to sound like the previous voice actor, we want your own take on the character! Final casting decisions will be based on how well you embody the character, not how much you sound like the original voice actor!

All actors are required to be 18 years or older. Sam is Black, plus size, neurodivergent and a lesbian. We will be prioritizing voice actors who are all four, but all Black queer voice actors are welcome to audition. Both cis and trans voice actors are welcome to audition.

Find more information HERE

Deadline: August 22nd 2025

#the children of room 56 #casting call

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cakeradio · 10 days ago

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Different Stripes: A Review of Dreamboy

Dreamboy is one of those shows where I can summarize its general tone and vibe with a single sequence of events: our protagonist is soothed back to sleep after a few solid minutes of listening to a classical radio broadcast and proceeds to slip into a recurring dream where he is drowning in dark water only to jolt back awake with a raging hard on and precum staining his belly.

Upon leaving the house that he's watching for a friend, he watches an attractive young man he's hit up on Grindr piss on the ground, all the while admiring the girth and length of their cock, followed by watching said young man being fucked by his relator.

Our protagonist pleasures himself to the intimate scene playing out before him, knowing fully well that his future one night stand is watching him the entire time. Our main character cums messily onto the window before him, all while the menacing thump thump thump of a piano plays in the background in time with the realtor's eager thrusting.

This was not my first but indeed my second impression of Dreamboy, an eight episode long 2018 audio drama from Night Vale Presents that has been absolutely dominating my headspace for the last few weeks.

Our protagonist is Dane, a struggling musician spending the winter in Pepper Heights, Ohio on the search for musical inspiration. And Dane is tired, though he must specify he's "Tired in a cosmic sense, in like a big sense. Not just like day to day tired, not like I need a nap tired, but like I need a six month soul nap tired".

He gets a job working at the Pepper Heights Zoo if it means he won't waste the days he was supposed to be working on an album on Grindr and munching on Cheetos, but that doesn't mean he won't have a couple short-term hookups along the way.

One day, he happens to stumble across a mysterious young man who he finds on the app, the scene just described plays out, and from there he's plunged into a surreal journey of zebras, sex, creepy little girls, flickering lights, and dreams about fish.

In my ongoing efforts to talk about shows well after they're publication date, I've honestly had a good time deep diving into the audio drama archives and seeing what grabs my attention.

Art never really expires in my eyes, and it's moments exactly like these that I appreciate how undiscriminating I've been about my selection process. Sometimes you just run into "good" shows, other times you run into "great" shows, and Dreamboy is undeniably in the "great" category.

Now I feel I'm personally responsible to not throw out a recommendation so willy-nilly, and if the above description puts you off in any way, I'm most definitely not judging. I didn't even get to the part where Luke takes a mean right hook to his jaw to which he explains to a panicking Dane that he runs a sadomasochistic Instagram account where he documents the bruises given to him from his lovers.

Dreamboy is a show consisting of many layers, though I'd say the most dominating motif among its many other motifs is music.

And befitting a show with this kind of throughline, it only makes sense that Dreamboy's music meshes so nicely with its world, and original music at that.

And seemingly just to commend the effort, the sound design is spectacular. The way the audio is layered in the first episode alone perfectly conveys the chaotic struggle of navigating a bustling city so perfectly I end up going back to it just to replay that opener.

I just love how this classy music with its string quartet and piano will rise in pitch during key moments, scoring the dialogue or particularly tense situations with this vibe that manages to be frantic yet elegant.

There's this key moment during episode seven, where the show suddenly becomes a musical as Dane belts out a passionate ballad about his current frustrations. And it comes with this belting angelic choir and these hilarious lyrics and the line between reality and his imagination start to blur and it's just, oh my goodness, it's brilliant!

Dreamboy definitely knows the power of a good first impression, and given the show's modest length, it does an effective job of giving at least one standout moment. That moment can be sex or a particularly bizarre sequence of events, all of which are really going to stick with you.

So in the rare moments where the show isn't quite grabbing me, I still remember it all the same.

I wouldn't say that the zebra plot really held my attention, nor do I see how it works as a metaphor or some sort of underlying motif that pertains to the lead. Hell, I'm not even entirely sure Dane has that much personal investment in the zebra's well-being. Or at least it's not nearly as intense as the girl scouts.

I think you swapped out the donkey for maybe something more pertinent to the theme, like an aggressive dolphin or something, I'd see the connection a bit clearer.

But at least for me, personally, Dreamboy's strongest pull plot-wise is the relationship between Dane and Luke. Though their collective time together can be summarized within at best a week or two, there's still this magnetic pull the two of them have that makes their bond just ooze with intrigue.

The sharing dreams bit definitely has a lot to do with that, and does a great job establishing this sort of cosmic link they're destined to have, ending both of the boys' lonely existences as they take solace in one another.

So much so I'm almost tempted to categorize Dreamboy as something of the romance genre, even if their initial romantic tension originally boils down to a horny situationship. But damn it all, do you feel weirdly compelled for it to work out between them. And even given its modest length, it still manages to pack a lot of character into all these fleeting moments.

Dreamboy is a short listen that can be knocked out in a day, and I'd encourage checking out the show in one sitting if you can. Its bizarre plot, small but strong cast of characters, excellent writing, and some very crisp, layered sound design make it a completely unique listening experience that oozes the usual high quality of a Night Vale Presents original.

Eroticism, music, animal rights-Dreamboy is a smorgasbord of ideas that really shouldn't work so well together, and though I found some details more intriguing the others, I can't say I would subtract any of the core plot elements in fear that an integral part of Dreamboy's identity would be stripped away with it.

I've got this weird soft spot for media that makes sense to one person and one person only, and in my attempts to make sense of it further compels to let people in on its weirdness in hopes I can collect even more interpretations.

That's the exact feeling I get from Dreamboy, the entire show is so bizarre and feel so personal and so intimate, I can't help but dissect its intriguing narrative style, its mishmash of concepts, its unrelenting weirdness, and yet all of it meshes so well together with excellent precision.

For a show that revolves so much around a zebra, it most definitely colors outside the lines.

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