Audio Flux

Key Takeaways

Audio Flux was established to revitalize short-form, experimental audio storytelling.
The challenge features semi-annual circuits, unique themes, and calls for submissions.
Stories explore diverse human experiences, including silence, memory, and social justice.
Audio Flux fosters a community for creators and independent audio development.

Created by Julie Shapiro and John DeLore in spring 2023 to counter the audio industry's shift towards longer podcast formats, which marginalized short-form work.
Inspired by the Third Coast International Audio Festival's "Short Talks" competition, aiming to uplift the creative audio community.
The host noted his past involvement with similar short-form initiatives, motivating his support for the project.

Authored by Gregory Warner and Sana Krasikov, it was inspired by the theme "letting go" and Wendy McNaughton's book.
Narrates Sana's personal experience of hearing a persistent tone during the pandemic, initially perceived as delight.
The tone is later identified as tinnitus, the brain's response to hearing loss, which Sana interprets as a "song of grief."
The challenge allowed Gregory Warner to shift from foreign journalism to a more personal narrative style.

Created by Talia Augustidis for the second circuit, themed "listening with," drawing inspiration from Sam Green and Annea Lockwood.
Explores the daily sonic environments of people in Gaza, specifically focusing on the persistent "Zanana" drone noise.
Discusses how anxiety can lead to paranoia about sound and the "foreboding" quality of silence during a temporary truce in Gaza.

Created by Katelyn Hale Wood and Alan Goffinski for circuit four, themed "firsts or first times."
The narrator, aged 15-16 in 2001, discovered a cassette tape, initially thought to contain "Rent."
The tape instead held recordings of her father, Sid Wood, a radio DJ who passed away in 1987 when she was two.
The piece explores the emotional impact of discovering a portal to a deceased parent's voice through chance.

Authored by Peter Lang-Stanton, this Audio Flux piece explores themes of fatherhood and language development.
It utilizes home videos to document a child's speech evolution during their first two years.
The story examines the powerful personal experience of observing early childhood language development.

By Vivien Schütz and Laura Rojas Aponte for the "creative tension" circuit, addressing social justice issues.
Details the creation and distribution of 110,000 red cards, providing immigrants with constitutional rights information.
These cards, stating "I do not wish to speak with you," protect Fifth Amendment rights during interactions with authorities.
The piece reflects on the immigrant experience, the fragility of rights, and art's limitations in addressing systemic issues.

The project is characterized as an independent audio initiative, fostering a "renaissance" for audio for its own sake, community, and culture.
Audio Flux plans an upcoming circuit in late February, encouraging listener involvement and submissions.
The dedicated "Audio Flux" podcast features short episodes, typically 10-20 minutes, celebrating experimental audio creators.