Episode 6: Soul Delay

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 23:14:00 +0000

James Harlot explores synchronicities, numbers, lucky digits, pattern recognition, the seduction of the signs, depictions of food, inquiries on soul delay - what is the phenomenon known as 'soul delay'? "Souls can't move that quickly, and are left behind, and must be awaited, upon arrival, like lost luggage." — William Gibson, Pattern Recognition. Created by DAMARIN. This episode in particular made use of many sounds and music from Hainbach‘s Patreon Packs - if you enjoy the ambiences, check him out. 

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Episode 5: Fourth Model Colt Derringer

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:49:14 +0000

James Harlot begins today's broadcast with an exposé on the War on Bugs (significantly more present in Wretched City than the infamous federal War on Drugs). This War on Bugs could be interpreted as a reaction to bugkind's war against mankind. He continues with Current Events and ends with bittersweet confessions and what is essentially a love poem to a hand-gun. Or is it, really? 

Dedicated to the living dead.

Written, acted, directed and produced by DAMARIN. Music by DAMARIN. Cathartic trauma-processing by DAMARIN. See more of DAMARIN's art on www.damarin.co.uk. 

Neo-noir Fiction Podcast. Drama. Comedy. Music. Surreal. Experimental. Improvisational. 

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Episode 4: Interview with a Man Twice Dead - Harry Lime

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:26:45 +0000

Wretched City Radio resumes after a painfully long hiatus with a mesmerizing interview - fictional radio host James Harlot interrogates fictional criminal-entrepreneur/philantropist-rogue/conman-and-delight Harry Lime, a character born from the imagination of Orson Welles - featuring many questions about Orson Welles himself. Written, directed and edited by DAMARIN - acting by DAMARIN and the ghost of Orson Welles/Harry Lime. Music by Anton Karas.

The voice of Harry Lime was generated using Artificial Intelligence. The textual replies of Harry Lime were partly generated with a different Artificial Intelligence software, but required being rewritten on account of the linguistic and esoteric particularities of the character Harry Lime. 

Check out Orson Welles' and Alan Towers' production of The Lives of Harry Lime (US) / The Adventures of Harry Lime (UK) - a 1950s radio drama that acts as a prequel to the 1949 film The Third Man, featuring Welles, directed by Carol Reed. Glory to the golden age of the radio drama, and may all fiction podcasters learn from it!

This episode was the practical dimension of David A. Marin (DAMARIN)'s MA dissertation at the Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharestr - Orson Welles și „drama radiofonică” din secolul XX – fuziunea mediilor artistice: radio-ul, între literatură, teatru și film (Orson Welles and the radio drama of the 20th century - the fusion of artistic mediums, radio, between literature, theatre and film). 

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Episode 3: Sandy Satire's Taxi Service

Tue, 03 May 2022 22:40:49 +0000

James Harlot takes a little detour during his usual brodcast to present a community story - the story of Sandy Satire, the Scottish-American cab driver with the face of a bear cub and how he went on a hundred dollar ride at 7.30 AM one sepia-hued morning. James also meets a woman with blue skin and later gets censored by the FCC.
Written, perfomed and mixed by DAMARIN.
The music used in this episode is a spontaneously recorded jam session featuring DAMARIN and ZEN.

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Episode 2: Temple of the Hookers

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 13:11:21 +0000

In this broadcast, James Harlot recounts the reactions of his beloved Wretched City to the events of 1968's Chicago protests - including the "sermon" of a certain Jesus Beelzebub, the preacher of the Temple of the Hookers. Featuring Senior Beelzebub's morning chant and his tolling of the Black Bell, Charlie the advertising man and a sponsored message from Beyond the Rainbow Funeral Home Conglomerate™ - and, last but not least, a supposed surprise visit from the one and only Hunter S. Thompson.

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Episode 1: Improvising the News

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 18:30:40 +0000

A cryptic excerpt of a broadcast lost in the mysteries of time and obscured by unsettling frequencies. You've tuned into the strange sepia light - a dip into an alternate world of surreal noir. The host, James Harlot, discusses various wretched developments and opinions - including the possibility of improvising the news and the mesmerizing dances of the sheriff - with his characteristic existential nonchalance, alternating between pure insanity and sensuous calm.

The show features experimental production and mixing - as well as unusual integration of sound design and effects alongside original music. Our host, James Harlot, will have various guests joining - stay tuned!

Written, performed, mixed and produced by David A. Marin - also known as “DAMARIN”. Music by DAMARIN.

Wretched City Radio is part of a mixed arts project, including a concept album, a novel (coming soon!) and various graphic designs. See more on our website.

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