🗳Get out the vote! + Searching for All-American Ruins 🕵️♂️
Sounds Like Impact: A newsletter for audio and action - Vol. 20
Welcome to Sounds Like Impact!
In this edition we have a guest curation from Sammy and Maddie from Girl and the Gov Podcast for the upcoming National Voter Registration Day in the U.S. I also interview Blake Pfeil from abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast, a show that blurs the lines between fiction and documentary.
👋🏾 We have a lot of folks who have joined since the last newsletter, and I would love for anyone who hasn’t introduced themselves to do so, either by leaving a comment or if you are shy, filling out this short form.
I especially noticed that we have more international followers than we have had previously, so please share what you issues you are hoping to see spotlit. And if you are a podcaster, you can learn about ways to promote your work here.
🎂 This newsletter is now it’s sixth month! I can’t believe how time has flown. I look forward to continuing to build this community with your support.
ICYMI: I am a judge for the Anthem Awards, which honors purpose and mission-driven work around the globe. Learn more and if you are interested in submitting, the last chance for this upcoming award cycle is this Friday, September 15th.
🗓 : The anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, which ignited protests in Iran and around the world about women’s rights, is coming up on 9/16. Sounds Like Impact community member, tireless advocate and my dear friend Sara Dinari, has curated a list of ways to help you be an ally to Iranian women and those trying to support them.
Also, Sara is looking to publish an op-ed about the anniversary. If you know a publication that might be interested, or have an interest in amplifying on your podcast or publication, please let me know so I can connect you.
🎧 #AudioForAction | Guest Curation by Sammy Kanter & Maddie Medved
Get out the vote or go home [to vote]
It’s always election season, whether it makes national news or not – and those elections in your backyard are often the ones with results that have the largest, most significant impact on communities across this country. But getting to the polls does require a bit of homework, especially in states that don’t have same day voter registration. Cue, National Voter Registration Day (9/19), which serves as a symbolic reminder and opportunity to get potential voters up to speed on this so-called homework – registering to vote, updating registration, and/or checking the status of one’s registration, and so on.
This curation speaks to the importance of this homework, the critical nature of breaking down barriers to voting and the processes around it, how everyone’s vote matters, and of course the principle that friends don’t let friends miss elections.
- Sammy & Maddie, Girl and the Gov Podcast
Follow @girlandthegovpodcast and @girlandthegov on Instagram.
Girl and the Gov, The Podcast, Explainer: Florida’s new immigration & voting laws with Devon Murphy-Anderson, co-founder of Mi Vecino
Defending Democracy, Is Voter Registration Outdated? Feat. Vote.org CEO Andrea Hailey
An Honorable Profession, Voter Registration Series: Hannah Fried on Expanding Access & Saving Democracy
The Tent, Kendra Cotton on Reaching New Voters
Consider This, Ahead of the 2024 Elections, Young Rural Voters Want To Be Heard
🚨 Calls to Action
Register: Register to vote if you’re not [and ask your friends if they’re registered too], here:
Check your voter registration status there too – it’s always important to check in and see that everything is up to date so there are no surprises on election day.
📣 Spotlight
Blake Pfeil is an award-winning multidisciplinary audiomaker, musician, writer, & performance artist. He cofounded folk-fusion band Macabre Americana and hosts "The Pfeil File" on Radio Kingston/WKNY (107.9 FM/1490 AM in the Hudson Valley, NY).
In his “day job,” he steps into the role of Operations & Programs Manager at Hudson Valley-based nonprofit storytelling organization TMI Project. Outside of that beautiful space, Blake's work appears on stages, concert halls, or clubs; through your headphones, speakers, radio, Diskman, or TV screens; or in magazines, books, or journals.
Blake holds an MA in Arts Entrepreneurship from Purchase College, a BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College, and is an alumni of the Audio Podcast Fellowship at Stony Brook University.
Follow his podcast @allamericanruins on Instagram and their website.
P.S. On September 23rd there will be a live show for All-American Ruins in Kingston, NY. For those in the area or anyone interested in making the trek, this is little bit of what Blake had to say!
As an artist, as somebody who likes to make something out of nothing–particularly in community–the reason that I decided that I was going to do this launch party is because I wanted to celebrate this work. I believe in it.
Also I just love a party, I love art, and I love the fact that I'm gonna be able to play with my folk band for the first time in three years, and that Atlas Obscura is gonna be there to help co-produce the event, and that it's a benefit for an organization in the Hudson Valley called HUDSY.
It's also just a big thank you card and a love letter to everyone who has supported me over the past three years in trying to make this vision come to life.
🌟 Classifieds
Nothing to promote but still want to support? You can donate here.
