#do It #it Is A Fun Listen So Far #holmwood Foundation

THIS IS SO COOL! I love the style choices. THIS IS SO GOOOD!

mARTch Day 4: Object w/ @dead-west-podcast ‘s lovely characters!

PSA for podcast and audio drama creators:

If you publish a new episode of your show and it never shows up on Spotify, *do not panic*.

If you're using any kind of background music, it might've gotten flagged by their copyrighted content scanner. If it has, they do not notify you directly about it. Instead, they will notify your podcast hosting platform (i.e. Buzzsprout, Acast, Podbean, etc.)

If your new episode doesn't show up on Spotify within an hour or two (as it normally does), here's what you should do:

Create a video of your podcast and upload it privately to YouTube.

Check the 'Restrictions' column of the Content page in YouTube Studio. If the video you uploaded has 'Copyright' in this column, something was flagged and this is the problem. (In my experience, YouTube and Spotify's scanners are aligned).

Hover over where it says 'Copyright' and click the 'See Details' button. This will tell you what got flagged.

Confirm whether this content was legitimately flagged or not. If it was (meaning you can't prove that you have rights to use the music), it's time to replace the track and reupload your episode. (You'll still want to do the following steps after you do that). If wasn't, it's time to document why the flagging was in error. In Metropolis' case, we use a lot of pre-1924 music that is in the public domain per Title II of the US Music Modernization Act of 2018. But rights holders are notorious for not removing things that have aged into the public domain from their claims list. That means we have clear rights to use the music (as does anybody: again, public domain!), but we still have to go through the appeals process.

Contact your hosting provider to get the notice email from Spotify Content Protection. You need to ask their support team if they've received an email for your show from Spotify with a Subject line of "Possibly Infringing - Notification Warning - Claim xxx - ref:_xxx". It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour for them to receive that notification from when the episode was uploaded. Within the email, there's a unique link to appeal the decision. Note that you only get five days to appeal - procrastination is definitely not your friend here!

Use the Appeal Link from the Email to file an Appeal Notice If you click the link, it will take you to a form to appeal the decision not to post the episode. This is where you need to present your case by either that you've replaced the music in question, or that you have a right to use it. If it's the latter - make sure you present the case as thoroughly and completely as possible (with links and references). (You'll also want to confirm that the track that YouTube spotted is the one that Spotify flagged.)

From my experience, Spotify will usually respond 24-36 hours.

If you took the right steps, it'll usually be a short note that they've published the episode and you're in the clear.

Cheers, and happy creating!

The number of times I do this per episode is frankly amusing and concerning.

[In the middle of audio editing, frustratedly scouring a timeline]

"Why the heck does everything sound panned to the left all of a sudden? What did I screw up!?!?"

(Pushes earbud slightly further into right ear.)

"Oh."

the world is a better place with trans women in it

[The phrase "even the worst days end" on a background of trees with eyes carved into them. Original from the Dead West Patreon]

For anyone interested we have kicked up a Discord Server for folks to talk about the show, show off some gothic artwork, share some music, whatever!

Season 4 finale is LIVE! Let me know what you think!

The Cellar Letters

Episode 80 - Sightjack Part 4

There is nothing... no information on Jess... nothing on Steve. I just want to go home. Cast: Jamie Petronis as Nate Harlan Guthrie as John

DEAD WEST PART 4: NOTHING BESIDE REMAINS is Live!

In this episode we start peeling back the layers of the greater forces at work in the world of the Dead West. Please be aware there are a LOT of content warnings for this episode. Be sure to check them out before diving. ================================================ LISTEN HERE: SPOTIFY APPLE WEB RSS Your Preferred Player ================================================ Be sure to check out our Ko-fi and Patreon for options to support the show.

Show Update:

We have a family member undergoing open heart surgery this week so my household is doing a lot of planning and prep, physically and mentally. Due to this tomorrow's episode will be delayed until Tues, the 28th. Sorry for the inconvenience but thank you so much for your patience. For clarity, they are going to be on a 48-hour constant watch cycle afterwards and the reality of it is that this will come down to my partner and I alternating this time between us while also tending to the rest of our family, and my job. Cuz Capitalism don't stop.