I listen to podfic in several ways. When I am looking for neat distraction while I am doing a tedious chore, a podfic with music is wonderful, it contributes to atmosphere and involvement with the podfic. When I am listening to podfic as an aide to sleeping, I invariably pick well loved, often listened to podfic with absolutely no loud demarcations of scene, no loud music before and after. Part of the whole (not to wake up) desire I have listening to podfic for the second reason is very individual: I have some PTSD and I use podfic as a way to sleep without medication, as a brain soother. I have podfics I value just for that, with voices that are musical or have an even cadence, (although my use is not restricted to people who have no "accent" as defined by my life history). An exception is always FayJay as her podfics have music that does not soar in volume massively over the reading and is uniquely apropo as Podcath mentioned earlier, and her voice itself is wonderfully soothing. When I am listening to podfic for the story, and perhaps for the first or second time, and definitely as distraction from tedium, I have no qualms about music, although I have rushed to the speakers and turned down the volume for some music which is decibels louder than the accompanying performance of the podfic. That, I must say, is disconcerting at any time, although if the choice is rock and there is a very good reason for the song choice to be louder, such as in Yasmine 32068's performance of the SPN J2 Disclaimer 'verse by Raeschae--it is totally appropriate to the performance, and a much-loved reading, as well. Thus, loud music is a nuanced pleasure, and people who offer music added and music free performances are going above and beyond, and I sometimes snag both- Laurie_Ky's performances in TS fandom spring to mind, as I am going to be using both performances for different reasons. I, also, would never quarrel with any style and/or music choices that the performer made, as podfic artists have worked very hard to give us the work. People also, because we all learn from doing any work, are going to vary on how well the volume of music/appropriateness of might appear in any podfic to the individual listener. (As always, YMMV rules the works of fandom). I think, Podcath, when you are agonizing over selections/appropriateness etc, you may be going through the first stages of learning a new task in an artistic creation, and possibly the time thinking/worrying might become less over time, as you become more accustomed to it. This is personally very familiar to me because I make jewelry, and have given a lot to my friends, and the new techniques always earn me the most agony of indecision. You are an artist- you have made a creation, and you have entered into that kingdom of the creative soul. You might never completely lose the fretting over your work- I have jewelry that my friends love dearly that I don't think I like, but part of releasing work to an audience is that other people are much more likely to really love your work than you are, and that is also familiar ground to the creative soul. I've been guilty as many people have, of not thanking podfic performers enough or feedbacking on specific work, so let me add in here- if you have contributed to podfics in any way, y'all rock my world. *So* much love for all of you. Best Regards, Lisa
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Part of the whole (not to wake up) desire I have listening to podfic for the second reason is very individual: I have some PTSD and I use podfic as a way to sleep without medication, as a brain soother. I have podfics I value just for that, with voices that are musical or have an even cadence, (although my use is not restricted to people who have no "accent" as defined by my life history). An exception is always FayJay as her podfics have music that does not soar in volume massively over the reading and is uniquely apropo as Podcath mentioned earlier, and her voice itself is wonderfully soothing.
When I am listening to podfic for the story, and perhaps for the first or second time, and definitely as distraction from tedium, I have no qualms about music, although I have rushed to the speakers and turned down the volume for some music which is decibels louder than the accompanying performance of the podfic. That, I must say, is disconcerting at any time, although if the choice is rock and there is a very good reason for the song choice to be louder, such as in Yasmine 32068's performance of the SPN J2 Disclaimer 'verse by Raeschae--it is totally appropriate to the performance, and a much-loved reading, as well. Thus, loud music is a nuanced pleasure, and people who offer music added and music free performances are going above and beyond, and I sometimes snag both- Laurie_Ky's performances in TS fandom spring to mind, as I am going to be using both performances for different reasons. I, also, would never quarrel with any style and/or music choices that the performer made, as podfic artists have worked very hard to give us the work. People also, because we all learn from doing any work, are going to vary on how well the volume of music/appropriateness of might appear in any podfic to the individual listener. (As always, YMMV rules the works of fandom). I think, Podcath, when you are agonizing over selections/appropriateness etc, you may be going through the first stages of learning a new task in an artistic creation, and possibly the time thinking/worrying might become less over time, as you become more accustomed to it. This is personally very familiar to me because I make jewelry, and have given a lot to my friends, and the new techniques always earn me the most agony of indecision. You are an artist- you have made a creation, and you have entered into that kingdom of the creative soul. You might never completely lose the fretting over your work- I have jewelry that my friends love dearly that I don't think I like, but part of releasing work to an audience is that other people are much more likely to really love your work than you are, and that is also familiar ground to the creative soul.
I've been guilty as many people have, of not thanking podfic performers enough or feedbacking on specific work, so let me add in here- if you have contributed to podfics in any way, y'all rock my world. *So* much love for all of you. Best Regards, Lisa