Black Friday is a tongue-in-cheek podcast about race in America by first time audio storyteller Tycho Newman. Specifically, it is an audio drama podcast that follows the experiences of people who have woken up only to discover an overnight transformation took place—acute spontaneous melanization. These people are now Black and must learn to navigate the world in new ways. This series is eight episodes long, with the first episode coming out on November 29, Black Friday 2019. The show is clever with its use of coded language and the episodes are presented in different formats, from a newscast to a tennis game to a radio show. Each introduces additional characters and follows a new storyline, keeping listeners interested and engaged. Black Friday confronts biases and shows how the color of your skin can change people’s perspective of you. It is recommended for fans of narrative podcasts or anyone who wants a better understanding of systematic racism.

We were fortunate to talk with Newman about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher |Spotify | Podchaser

DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

Newman: I’ve had the Black Friday idea for years and years. Turning it into a podcast was all due to Lisette Alvarez (they make Kalila Stormfire). Making a podcast jives with my skill set. I enjoy working with media and the prospect of putting together my own show felt like a fun project. That said, podcast production is a lot of work. If I’m going to keep doing this, I’ll definitely try something that involves fewer moving parts.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to BLACK FRIDAY?

Newman: No one has ever done anything like it. Once a week a random number of white people wake up and – ta-da! – they’re now black. This transformation has consequences not just for individuals, but society as well. Black Friday interrogates America’s anxiety about black people/blackness in a unique way. 

At the same time, the premise is not that weird. In the Western Canon we have Ovid’s Metamorphoses where Daphne get turned into a goddamn tree because Apollo is obsessed with her. The first episode of Black Friday is straight out of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis where poor Gregor turns into a giant insect. Sudden blackness doesn’t seem so far fetched in comparison. 

A lot of the show is also influenced by the theatre of the absurd; like Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros (where people turn into rhinos). There’s also a lot of the late Derrick Bell’s influence in the show. So if you’re into sci-fi, absurdist stories, check Black Friday out. If you’ve never encountered this kind of thing before, then great! Welcome to a life-long love of surrealist fun. 

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

Newman: As I write this, four people on Apple Podcasts have given Black Friday five stars. Once might be an accident. Twice may be a coincidence. Thrice or more is maybe beginning to build a consensus, right? 

So far, the response has been (what I would call) cautious enthusiasm. I think some people are waiting until the final episode to see where we land this thing. It’s a podcast about race and racism, after all. It could crash and burn. If you recommended Black Friday to your friends, and it flubbed out in the end, you’d look like a prat, wouldn’t you? 

It won’t flub out in the end. I promise.   

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

Newman: I have a Zoom H4N + deadcat that gets some use, but for the most part, my actors record remotely and send in the audio. I put it together in Reaper, with some help from Audacity. I also use GarageBand here and there. 

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

Newman: I am always scared to start working on something because I’m plagued with self-doubt. I haven’t figured out how to overcome this inertia consistently.  

DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

Newman: If any motion picture studios are listening, I will entertain offers. I am considering a second season. Maybe the making of a Black Friday TV show could be the topic of season 2? I mean, if Ice-T is in the Black Friday TV show, we could do: 

  • Black Friday – SVU 
  • Black Friday – The Motion Picture
  • Black Friday II – Electric Boogalooo 
  • A Black Friday X’mas
  • Black Friday – The Musical
  • Black Friday III – Resurrection
  • Black Friday On Ice.       

The merchandising alone would make a mint. Just sayin’. 

Otherwise, I’m actually pretty happy with how the podcast came out. I hope it finds a place in your hearts and minds.    

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

Newman:

  • Immigrantly
  • Re-listening to Kalila season 1 (there’s stuff we all missed).  
  • Janus Descending 
  • King James Virgin

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

Newman: If you can, support the final season of Kalila Stormfire on Seed&Spark. If you haven’t yet listened to Kalila, there’s time to catch up! There’s two seasons out! You can find Kalila Stormfire wherever you get your podcasts.

And yeah, listen to Black Fridaytoo. There’s only 8.5 episodes of Black Friday though, so when you’re done, go listen to our sister show Kalila, and tell a friend about both.  

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