Photo by Aaron Flint Jamison

When Jackson Anderson met Jonathan Bechtolt at a hot-air balloon enthusiast's convention in Manhattan, Kansas, lightning struck. Well, sort of. The mid-west was actually experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent history, and the arid region had not seen rain, thunder, lightning, not even so much as scattered cloud-cover for months. Anyway, when these two estranged cousins-in-law reconnected, over a few slices of Noble Roman's pizza in a Circuit City foyer, sparks flew. Of course, the entryways to most electronics stores are designed to be "dead zones," areas that specifically limit the transmission of static electricity, but--emotionally, yes--there was a tangible charge in the air. But why magic? And why something as depressing-sounding as "audio" magic? Surely one would rather walk--or even sprint--into moving traffic before willfully heading down such an obviously flawed and shameful career path.

However, while many people believe that a magic trick must be physically seen to be considered legitimate, this, apparently, couldn't be further from the truth. As literally hundreds have already found out, the subtlety and grace of a purely HEARD witchcraft is a rich and disturbing experience.

Studies show that as recently as the 14th century, Macedonian Wizards were practicing an aural discipline of weird sorcery. These Mediterranean conjurers and shaman first developed the technique as a means of enchanting the blind, the slow, and the ocularly impaired; a rogue blend of hypnotism, joke telling and out and out lying rendered their participants enchanted, and easier to rob. They would often whisper to their prey in wet, serpentine hisses, charming them to a state of quiet, naive bliss. Next would come the quick fleecing of all jewelry, coins, nicer belts and often even clothing from these helpless marks.

Today, audio magic is primarily used for entertainment purposes, although there do remain underground sects which employ the ancient skill for strange initiation rituals and oath-binding ceremonies; the commitment to this tradition has been dutifully passed down through tapestries, very long poems, woven "face baskets" and some pretty uncomfortable phone calls.

"Audio Magic : Audio Podcast" airs monthly on NHPR, a division of NPR. The program traces the history and questionable social impact of this admittedly annoyingly mysterious "art;" select segments will also feature taped performances by the hosts.

Audio Magic Cover Art

Download the Audio Magic Episode #1 MP3:

Oh! Out-takes!

WHAT, YOU THOUGHT I STOPPED MAKING MOVIES?

Executive Producer: K Michael Merrill

UPDATE:

Audio Magic on Local Cut

Audio Magic on The Portland Mercury Blog

Truly,
Jona

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