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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast

Storytelling Podcasts

The Thirteenth Hour books are 80s inspired illustrated fairy tale fantasy novels that pay homage to fantasy, sci fi, and teen movies from the 80s as well as the music of that era. This podcast explores aspects of 80s culture as well as a wide variety of influences behind the books. Companion site: http://13thhr.wordpress.com

Location:

United States

Description:

The Thirteenth Hour books are 80s inspired illustrated fairy tale fantasy novels that pay homage to fantasy, sci fi, and teen movies from the 80s as well as the music of that era. This podcast explores aspects of 80s culture as well as a wide variety of influences behind the books. Companion site: http://13thhr.wordpress.com

Twitter:

@13thhr

Language:

English

Contact:

747.248.7775


Episodes
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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #538 and Like A Hood Ornament #84: Continuing a Rocketeer Resin Casting Project -Making the Prototype

12/1/2025
In today's episode, I'm continuing what I started in episode 536 - where I wanted to turn a Rocketeer figurine that I found on eBay in to an articulated action figure. But in the episode, the silicone I had gotten turned out to be bad, so I had to get some more in order to make a mold. In the past two weeks, I bought a new kind of silicone (Smooth On Mold Star 30) as well as a new kind of resin to try (Smooth Cast 57D). I was successful in making molds of the parts of the figurine. It wasn't the most efficient use of silicone, I will say, since I probably could have found containers that were a bit smaller and wasted less, but if I don't use these molds in the future, I'll chop them up and use them as filler when making future molds. Here are the two pieces: This is the lower body mold. This mess is the upper body mold; you may be able to see both sides of the figurine in relief on ether side. This is what it looks like when you are taking the casting out. You can see here (my first attempt) that one arm didn't quite fill. That happens sometimes if you don't quite have the air vents in the right places. Pictures at https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/12/01/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-538-and-like-a-hood-ornament-84-continuing-a-rocketeer-resin-casting-project-making-the-prototype/⁠ I was also curious to see if the resin I was using could be heated up with a heat gun to further bend the pieces. Yes, the resin did get soft, but it ended up just breaking. I did use a woodcarving tool to cut the limbs up further (never a bad idea to wear some eye protection and a N95 or equivalent mask when dealing with hot plastic) and then used epoxy resin (what I normally use to add details on custom figures) to meld the limbs back together in a new position. Here, I have the parts of the figure with newly formed arms and legs next to the original: I just need to clean up the dried epoxy resin, probably with a Dremel, and then figure out how to make joint pegs for the limbs and neck. Then, I'll make one last mold of all the parts - 4 limbs, torso, head, and rocketpack so I can make resin copies of all the pieces. That's what's to come in the next few weeks. If you haven't heard them yet, check out the conversations with Andy Last of the Beyond Synth podcast and Richie Billing, author of Together We Rise. Check out my interview on the Planet Texas Podcast, where we touch on toymaking - find it on Youtube. Thanks, Javier, for having me on! I was also on Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri for another fun conversation. Check out the episode on Spotify. Thanks, Vedant, for having me on! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi.

Duration:00:21:41

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #537: Welcome Andy Last, Host of the Beyond Synth Podcast

11/24/2025
In today's episode, I'm speaking with podcaster Andy Last, host of the Beyond Synth podcast. Andy is one of the few people I have talked with that has been doing this longer than I am - he has been doing his show, discussing synthwave music and the artists that make it, since 2013. We had a great, lengthy conversation about podcasting, the ups and downs of collaboration, the joys of compulsions of solo creative work, and a lot on the nature/pros/cons of generative AI (which, like it or not, is being built into many of the tools that we use on a regular basis). This was one of the longer conversations I have recorded but I decided to not break it up into multiple parts since the overall themes of the conversation were consistent all the way through. If you into electronic music, especially synthwave/retrowave/retro 80s/whatever you call it, definitely check out Andy's show. There is obviously a ton of great music but also years of interviews from music producers behind the music that is super educational if you are into making music yourself. Check it out on: -Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/7Lu2RkM4aZr7AnJ2HHPyBV?si=04c77944ec184d41) -Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-synth/id979062058) -Patreon (https://patreon.com/beyondsynth) Thanks, Andy, for being a guest on the show, and thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:01:56:21

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #536 and Like A Hood Ornament #83: Starting a new Rocketeer Resin Casting Project and Making a New Rocketeer Theme

11/17/2025
In today's episode, I was planning to start a new action figure project - attempting to turn a Rocketeer figurine that I found on eBay in to an articulated action figure. A number of years ago, my brother encouraged me to use the social media platform Blue Sky as an alternative to Twitter/X. I did make a profile and processed to do nothing with it other than do what I often do when I find a new platform - I start looking for Rocketeer stuff. One of the first things I posted was the discovery of a Rocketeer theme gashapon set that was available in Japan. Gashapon are little toys or souvenirs you can buy in plastic capsules from vending machines. These sorts of things were all over the place in the 80s, though what you got there was of generally pretty low quality. Still, the idea of a little toy in a capsule stuck with me long enough to inspire me to want to make little resin figurines of Logan and Aurora from The Thirteenth Hour. Their diminutive size was no surprise! There is also something alluring about the fact toys like this comes from a machine and that you don't exactly know what you will get. The more common US equivalent - the blind bag / box concept - is essentially the same thing with more expense and less flair (no machine involved). I was able to find a set of all the Rocketeer gashapon via a retailer in Hong Kong, I believe, which was cheaper. My favorite piece of the set was a GI Joe sized figurine of Cliff about to take off to chase the zeppelin: Go to https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-536-and-like-a-hood-ornament-83-starting-a-new-rocketeer-resin-casting-project-and-making-a-new-rocketeer-theme/ for pictures. I remember thinking at the time - wouldn't this make a good articulated figure? And the idea never really went away. So I've decided to try first to make a duplicate of the figure that I can cut up and modify. The figure does split in half, so in these pictures, I have planned some vents in places I thought might not fill. And that was going to be this week's episode ... but the silicone I had bought for the project turned out to be bad (one bottle leaked and the other was solid). So I pivoted midway back to music and decided to make a Rocketeer marching tune for the Rocketeer 8bit style game I have been making. I tapped out the tune initially on the keyboard and then made the track itself on Bandlab. You can hear the track towards the end of the episode. It's not quite done, but it's pretty much what I was looking for to accompany the flying / running parts of the game. I have been fortunate to have been on a few podcasts lately - both about the process of becoming an author, starting a podcast, making toys, making music, etc. This clip from the Planet Texas Podcast on toymaking is pretty much what we were talking about above. You can listen/watch the whole conversation over on Youtube. Thanks, Javier, for having me on! I was also on Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri for another fun conversation. Check out the episode on Spotify. Thanks, Vedant, for having me on! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk

Duration:00:30:49

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #535: Welcome Richie Billing, Author of Together We Rise, to the Show

11/10/2025
In today's episode, I'm speaking with fantasy author and podcaster Richie Billing about his novel, Together We Rise. We had a great conversation about writing, the creative process, fantasy worlds, and even the use of generative AI in music. Together We Rise is a multilayered story of a revolution that takes place in a fantasy world - maybe the equivalent of something that might have occurred in the 1700s in Europe - there are some factories and all the issues that go with those, but science and other aspects of technology are still in a more medieval age. The story is told from multiple different characters, each with a small role to play in how the revolution takes place, and sometimes the characters overlap, allowing you to see them from fresh eyes, since each chapter is essentially a different point of view. Together We Rise wastes no time getting you in the thick of the action! Richie also used the AI tool Udio to create a theme for each character which you can listen to at the start of each chapter while reading that sets the tone for the pages ahead. You can find all the tracks here on Soundcloud and Youtube. If you are a writer yourself, please check out Richie's podcast, The Fantasy Writer's Toolshed, which has a wealth of information to help you get started, stay inspired, and fine tune your craft! Learn more about Richie's work on: -Patreon -Facebook -Instagram -Buy Together We Rise on Amazon and other booksellers. Thanks, Richie, for being a guest on the show, and thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/11/10/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-535-welcome-richie-billing-author-of-together-we-rise-to-the-show/

Duration:01:15:46

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #534: Musical Interlude - Trying to Figure Out Music from Legend (1985) Part 2

11/3/2025
In today's episode, I'm continuing what I started last week, working out "The Unicorn Theme" by Tangerine Dream from the Legend soundtrack. I worked out some of the basic notes last week, and this week I'm adding more as well as the left hand chords. Though not recorded in the podcast, while I was wrapping up the mixing of what I'd done, I remembered one of the other verses I'd forgotten. I did most of this in Bandlab, the DAW I've been working to learn this past fall. This ended up a great project to showcase the strength of a tool like this since I didn't need to rehearse the piece over and over until I could play it mistake-free like before. I could play and record little segments, one at a time, and essentially save my progress as I was going along. I may add to it in the coming weeks as I work out other parts of the theme, but I am pretty happy with what I managed to cobble together so far! This theme was definitely one of the influences behind the sound I was trying to create when making The Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, so it's actually long overdue that I finally try to figure out how to play it. I'm actually not sure why I didn't try before! Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.comhttps://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/11/03/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-534-musical-interlude-trying-to-figure-out-music-from-legend-1985-part-2/

Duration:00:22:17

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #533: Musical Interlude - Trying to Figure Out Music from Legend (1985)

10/27/2025
In today's episode, I'm playing around with some music from one of my favorite soundtracks, Legend, using the score done by Tangerine Dream. There's a piece in there I have always liked, called "The Unicorn Theme" and the same melody and chords get used in the ending song for the theatrical release in a ballad with vocals done by Jon Anderson called "Loved by the Sun" with the Tangerine Dream synths in the background. When I first heard it, I thought it was an odd mix, with neither of them really fitting together, and I was always vaguely irritated they didn't just make "The Unicorn Theme" longer (the track on the score doesn't use all the bars heard in the film), but as I have gotten older, I have comes to really like "Loved by the Sun." It is not an easy song to sing nor play (at least for me), as it requires a pretty big range. I'm trying it today on the piano with just chords, which I found harder than the guitar, which I find easier to play for certain things (this being one of them). That said, I think it'd sound great on the piano blended in with the notes from "The Unicorn Theme" since that is essentially what they did in the film, if I recall. I'm going to play around with over the net week or so and see what I come up with. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:18:14

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #532: Mappa Mundi Playthrough - "Into the Rift" Part 2

10/20/2025
In today's episode, my brother and I are wrapping up the role playing adventure we started last week based on a setting in his role playing game, Mappa Mundi. This week picks up after the main character, Axel, has fallen into a deep crevice in the ice. Will he emerge? What will he find in the icy depths below? There were supernatural creatures (below) above the rift - what about within it? Who knows what Axel will find in the depths below?! Thanks for listening! Watch for the compilation of these two parts on youtube coming soon. By the way, the track, "The Ice Giant," that I recently wrapped up is available on my Bandcamp page here. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:01:26:58

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #531: Mappa Mundi Playthrough - "Into the Rift" Part 1

10/13/2025
In today's episode, I'm starting the first of a two part adventure with my brother, the one I was making music tracks for the past few weeks. This is for a role playing adventure we recorded a few weeks ago based on a setting in his role playing game, Mappa Mundi. The music track I made will play in the background few times this episode to signal the coming and discussion of a supernatural being we are referring to the Ice Giant. There is a lot more about the giant and the world created for it in the game - see https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-531-mappa-mundi-playthrough-into-the-rift-part-1/ I'm currently working on an animation for this guy ... Thanks for listening! Part 2 coming next week! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:01:11:33

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #530: Musical Interlude - Finishing "Ice Giant" Part 2/2

10/6/2025
In today's episode, I'm pretty much wrapping up the track I started last week for an episode that my brother and I recorded a few weeks ago based on a setting in his role playing game, Mappa Mundi. I'm using the same DAW (digital audio workspace) I started learning how to use last month, the free web-based program Bandlab. Part of the reason for the past month and a half of making tracks this way was to warm up to the idea of making music entirely digitally (since that is what most people in the niche I probably most closely align with musically - synthwave - use). I must confess as a nonjoiner, I tend to ignore, be oblivious to, and occasionally even take perverse pleasure in being the contrarian. So I was using a more analog approach until now, mostly because it just worked. But now I can see the benefits. Yes, there are downsides (it's basically all done in front of a computer), but I think it's a worthwhile investment to learn this program and then progress to some of the more commonly used DAWs that most music producers use. They are just tools, after all, and at the end of the day, any tool is just that. What I still don't know if using a DAW actually saved me any time. I actually don't think so. That might because of the ongoing learning curve. But it might also be due to the capability of fiddling more with things on a more microscopic level, whereas the analog world involved more guesswork and the necessity of being okay with imperfection, even with the finished product (as anyone who has heard the pops and hisses of records and cassettes can attest to). With things going digital, I can see the capacity to fiddle endlessly and never fully finish anything. So we will have to see. This episode also made a little mention of Jane Goodall, one of my heroes, who passed away recently. I brought it up since the premise of the track is that you're a naturalist/explorer observing a supernatural phenomenon in the world of the game (cue pixelated depiction below), but though she gave a lot to the world due to her work and her passing marks the end of an era in some ways, I actually don't she'd want people to be sad and pessimistic at her passing. She championed for people to have hope (since 2022 she did a podcast she called her Hopecast, after all). She championed for local change. She championed for us to remember that one does not need to go to the ends of the Earth to find adventure or do good - good starts right in front of you with your own life, your own family, your own community - a great thing, I think, to keep in mind in uncertain times. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/10/06/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-530-musical-interlude-finishing-ice-giant-part-2-2/

Duration:00:26:03

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #529: Musical Interlude - Working on "Ice Giant"

9/29/2025
In today's episode, I'm working on a new track for an episode that my brother and I recorded a few weeks ago based on a setting in his role playing game, Mappa Mundi. I'm using the same DAW I started learning how to use last month, the free web-based program Bandlab, which I have found is great for quickly storing ideas for later. When I was working on "The Hunt" last month, I had the idea for an arpeggiated pattern than might fit once scene where your character reacts with a mix of awe and respect at an ice giant (see the pixelart depiction below) that lumbers by on the snowy tundra, leading a train of transfixed animals. But I didn't have a chance to work on it fully until now. So this week, I'd able to get into the weeds with it. Speaking of which, here is the completed version of "The Hunt" that I submitted to the contest. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.comhttps://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/09/29/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-529-musical-interlude-working-on-ice-giant/

Duration:00:24:00

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #528: Musical Interlude - Working on a Dark Synth Track for "A Shadow in the Moonlight" Part 4

9/22/2025
In today's episode, I'm building on what I have been discussing the past three weeks as I continue to make a dark synth track to accompany one of the many hunting scenes in The Thirteenth Hour prequel, A Shadow in the Moonlight, about a cursed hunter who has to spend eternity hunting an enchanted deer. I've wanted to learn to use a desktop based DAW to make and edit music so am using this track as a way to do that. I've settled on the free web-based program Bandlab which also have a companion mobile app. While it doesn't do everything, it does far more than I expected it to do. I have tried to resist the temptation to fall back on my analog ways and cheat the purpose of this exercise :) At this point, the track is 90% done. Just some fine tuning left to do with the final mix. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/09/22/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-528-musical-interlude-working-on-a-dark-synth-track-for-a-shadow-in-the-moonlight-part-4/

Duration:00:23:06

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #527: Musical Interlude - Working on a Dark Synth Track for "A Shadow in the Moonlight" Part 3

9/15/2025
In today's episode, I'm building on what I started discussing last week as I continue to make a dark synth track to accompany one of the many hunting scenes in The Thirteenth Hour prequel, A Shadow in the Moonlight, about a cursed hunter who has to spend eternity hunting an enchanted deer. I've wanted to learn to use a desktop based DAW to make and edit music so am using this track as a way to do that. I've settled on the free web-based program Bandlab, which is supposedly the easiest one to start using, though I will say that I have found none of the ones I have tried intuitive or especially user friendly. That said, connecting a keyboard to the computer has helped a great deal, and I expect that the initially hassle will have longer term payoffs in terms of flexibility and range of tools at my fingertips when making new tracks than I would have doing it all analog. So, I'm trying to not throw my hands up in frustration and go back to what I know since the whole point was to learn how to use a DAW in order to make this track. This is the main melody behind the track. One of the soundtracks that served as an influence was William Goldstein's score for the Chuck Norris film Forced Vengeance. There is an Eastern flair to it (the film takes place in Hong Kong) that is perfect for one of these schlocky 80s martial arts films along with an ominous tone and plenty of tastefully done 80s synth. You can actually listen to the entire thing on William Goldstein's YT channel. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.comhttps://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-527-musical-interlude-working-on-a-dark-synth-track-for-a-shadow-in-the-moonlight-part-3/

Duration:00:18:53

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #526: Musical Interlude - Working on a Dark Synth Track for "A Shadow in the Moonlight" Part 2 and Experimenting with Generative AI via Nauk Nauk to Bring Toys to Life

9/8/2025
In today's episode, I'm building on what I started discussing last week as I continue to make a dark synth track to accompany one of the many hunting scenes in The Thirteenth Hour prequel, A Shadow in the Moonlight, about a cursed hunter who has to spend eternity hunting an enchanted deer. I've wanted to learn to use a desktop based DAW to make and edit music so am using this track as a way to do that. I've settled on the free web-based program Bandlab, which is supposedly the easiest one to start using, though I will say that I have found none of the ones I have tried intuitive or especially user friendly. That said, connecting a keyboard to the computer has helped a great deal, and I expect that the initially hassle will have longer term payoffs in terms of flexibility and range of tools at my fingertips when making new tracks than I would have doing it all analog. So, I'm trying to not throw my hands up in frustration and go back to what I know since the whole point was to learn how to use a DAW in order to make this track. In addition, I have been experimenting with another digital tool called Nauk Nauk to make short videos of the toys I've made. The app is basically generative AI specific to action figures and making them move. I'm not super for or against this kind of technology, and while I touch on some of the operational pros and cons of using this kind of tech (at least from what I can see), this is one I can get behind. Who doesn't want to see their toys come to life? Especially ones you've made! Case in point - this one of Beverly Switzler is my favorite so far: https://www.tiktok.com/@13thhr/video/7547184629434813710?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7547583918360708621 Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:33:47

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #525: Musical Interlude - Working on a Dark Synth Track for "A Shadow in the Moonlight"

9/1/2025
In today's episode, I'm working on the very beginnings of a dark synth track to accompany one of the many hunting scenes in The Thirteenth Hour prequel, A Shadow in the Moonlight, about a cursed hunter who has to spend eternity hunting an enchanted deer. While I've had ideas for the soundtrack to this story for years and even filmed a number of segments for some future video every time I'd see a good full moon, I have never gotten around to putting anything down until now, mostly since I could not think of an appropriate theme to knit it all together - until now. (This is probably an outdated idea in the era of library music often used for TV and movies, but I still subscribe to the idea that a soundtrack is best if there is a central hummable melody that has elements that show up from time to time in the other parts of the soundtrack.) Speaking of which, my inspiration for this track comes from one of my favorite soundtracks, Trevor Jones' Last of the Mohicans. The opening scene where Hawkeye, the Daniel Day Lewis character, is chasing a deer through the forest. While it's a simple scene in essence, the interplay between the film and the sweeping score is pure movie magic and, in my opinion, an excellent example of how music totally makes the scene. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-525-musical-interlude-working-on-a-dark-synth-track-for-a-shadow-in-the-moonlight/

Duration:00:19:52

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #524: Thirteenth Hour Sequel Writing Update 3 - Let's Learn a Little About the New Imperial Rangers

8/25/2025
Today's episode is about the unit Logan from the Thirteenth Hour is a part of, the Imperial Rangers, who coincidentally, mostly meet their end in the novel. They are replaced, however, at the end of the novel by King Darian IV's all female guard, as they are comparably trained. Readers of The Thirteenth Hour actually get to meet two named Esmerelda and Skye (shown in the picture below from The Thirteenth Hour). Other Rangers - Stella, Camilla, Lilia, Jenny, Maggie, and Kathyrn appear in the sequel and have their own personalities and preferences that I'm currently shaping. I'd love one day to do a stand alone adventure with the new Rangers. I've been thinking of doing another reading and picked a few possible novels to choose from. If you have any preference, comment below! Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form, on CD, and on tape! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs and tapes are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:31:02

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #523: Thirteenth Hour Sequel Writing Update 2 – Research on Logan and Aurora’s House

8/18/2025
Today's episode is a follow up on last week's episode on the geography of Logan and Aurora's island; today I wanted to share some of the resources I used that helped both inspire and inform how I wrote about the house they constructed for themselves. While I had a number of ideas of how they might make their house (i.e. partially underground) from fiction (books like My Side of the Mountain, The Sign of the Beaver, The Hobbit, and On Walden Pond had provided inspiration), the first time I stumbled upon someone actually doing something like this was Dan Price, who wrote a little book appropriately called My Tiny House. I think he'd written an article in a magazine I used to sometimes write for called The Backwoodsman describing how he created an 80 sq ft circular home underground. Fascinated, I bought the hand drawn book, read it, and filed it away as evidence that a human actually could probably make something like I'd envisioned in my mind. If you go to this page, you can find a link to a ~30 min documentary made about Dan Price and his tiny house. As you can see in the film, he actually made numerous structures that all blend in his surroundings allowing him a bit more space and from the looks of it, a pretty good quality of life. I next stumbled on a Sami structure called a goahti, which is kind of like a teepee found in parts of Scandanavia. It has a wooden skeleton that is then covered with fabric or earth/grass. I thought they were perfect examples of a real life Logan and Aurora house since I'd imagined at least part of their home (the roof especially) being covered in grass/plants so it blended in with their forested surroundings. Probably around 12-13 years ago, I found a book on tiny houses in a bookstore called Tiny Homes: Simple Shelter. I'd never heard of this architectural movement before but was delighted to find that it had a lot of the ideas that I described above. Here are a few examples of structures that looked like the sorts of things two people could reasonably do with hand tools and a lot of persistence (and good weather): https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/08/18/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-523-thirteenth-hour-sequel-writing-update-2-research-on-logan-and-auroras-house/ In the same book, there are some pictures of tree houses that are similar to the structures I imagined the half elves described last week might live in. This next book, called Tree Houses, has more pictures of similar structures. All in all, these resources have been very helpful in figuring out how I wanted to write about little day to day aspects of Logan and Aurora's living situation. Though not the central portion of the story, it is a beloved place that they made with their own hands and thus occupies a special place in their hearts. There would be no story if that were not threatened, so of course they have to leave this place that they have come to feel safe and comfortable in. If it had been just any old home, the stakes would not be so high. But because it it special to them, it's all the more difficult. But that is part of the tale! Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form, on CD, and on tape! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs and tapes are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Duration:00:35:39

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #522: Thirteenth Hour Sequel Writing Update - Geography of Logan and Aurora's Island

8/11/2025
Today's episode is on geography of the island that Logan and Aurora from The Thirteenth Hour make their eventual home on. While they initially think it's uninhabited, it turns out to be the home of half elves who take refuge there. Logan and Aurora eventually become ingrained in their community, learning their way of life, and because they are more mobile, take to trading and selling things on the mainland, things they and the half elves can't so easily make. I made a top down map of the island which you can see below: ⁠https://13thhr.wordpress.com/2025/08/11/the-thirteenth-hour-podcast-522-thirteenth-hour-sequel-writing-update-geography-of-logan-and-auroras-island/⁠Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:28:50

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #521 and Like A Hood Ornament #82: Making a Meditative Rocketeer Theme for Dave Stevens' Birthday

8/4/2025
In today's episode, I wanted to make a rendition of the James Horner Rocketeer theme in time for what would have been Dave Steven's 70th birthday (7/29). At this the time of this podcast release, that is a few days in the past, so we are going back in time a bit. I can't imagine trying to improve upon the score as it is, so I decided I'd alter it a bit to fit the mood or state of mind I envisioned when I pictured this whole project - Cliff soaring towards the horizon on a cloudless, moonlight night, totally at peace with his surroundings (as odd as that might seem to an outsider). I imagined that if one could erase the G-forces, the woosh of the wind, and the chill of the night air, things might feel almost slow, balletic, a real Peter Pan moment. So that's why I made this version more meditative in nature and called it "...the closest I'll ever get to heaven, Mr. Hughes." The fully mixed track plays in full at the end of the episode. Besides the youtube video above, I have also put it up for streaming / download on my bandcamp page. This track is meant to be free and is done as a homage to a great comic book artist and a great composer, both of which are sadly no longer with us. Any donations made there will be given in full to the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation (HCL is the type of cancer Dave Stevens died from and the HCL Foundation is where Dave Stevens' family sends their donations.) More at www.hairycellleukemia.org and 13thhr.wordpress.com/charitable-giving/ Happy birthday in heaven, Dave. Would you have guessed your creation is still flying high after all these years? Thank you for what you gave us. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:23:30

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #520: Musical Interlude - Playing "Girl in the Tower" from King's Quest 6 In Memorium

7/28/2025
In today's episode, I'm playing a song from the early 90s adventure game, King's Quest 6 - the instrumental version of "Girl in the Tower," which played at the end of the game if you had the CD-ROM version of the game, a feat that was pretty cool at the time. Although the song, composed by Mark Siebert, fit in perfectly with the top 40 adult contemporary hits of the early 90s and the themes of later JRPGs like those found in the Final Fantasy games, for me, it always stood out since it had all the parts I loved in 80s ballads - a catchy, hummable melody, an electric guitar instrumental break, and a piano instrumental. I've always loved the contrast between all those parts. Plus, it was the only CD we had for quite awhile. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that a fair amount of the sound that makes its way into The Thirteenth Hour soundtracks comes from songs like this. Girl in the Tower (CD version) Girl in the tower instrumental Cassima's Theme And that's why I wanted to dedicate today's episode and the rendition on piano that I attempted to Roberta Vaughn, who passed away recently, suddenly and way too young. She was instrumental in forming the Classic Gamer's Guild in Facebook, a welcoming, positive group dedicated to celebrating classic games, especially adventure games of the 80s and 90s. Truth be told, when I was playing with the idea of trying to figure this song out, I initially wasn't sure if I should. What if she hated the game? I wasn't sure and thought about asking folks who knew her better. But I figured, given the kind of person I understood her to be, even if she wasn't the biggest fan of the game or the song, she'd appreciate the inherent 90s cheese of the lyrics and the nostalgia of it all and get a kick out of it. At least I hope so. May there be the hint books be infinite and the copy protection miniscule wherever you are, Roberta. Thank you for all you did. This one is for you. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:24:08

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The Thirteenth Hour Podcast #519: Preview of The Thirteenth Hour Sequel So Far (Writing Update)

7/21/2025
Today's episode is an update on the work I've been doing on writing the sequel to The Thirteenth Hour. In reality, I have been working on the sequel's story for decades in small ways and started actually writing it a number of years ago but then took a hiatus to work on other things. In the past 3 weeks, I've made a point to get back to it, so far writing about 8K words in little bursts, often in between other things. Not a ton but, it's been fun to revisit this world again! There are a few DnD adventures my brother and I did added to the backstory: -The Wayfarer's Escape - episodes 125, 126, and 127 -The Wayfarer's Dungeon Crawl - episodes 418 and 419 My brother put together a Youtube playlist with the other DnD adventures we recorded that also have some backstory that I have wanted to reference in things I have written since the publishing of The Thirteenth Hour. Empty Hands had some, and the sequel will have more. Thanks for listening! ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Once Upon a Dream, the second Thirteenth Hour soundtrack, is now out in digital form and on CD! It is out on most major streaming services such as Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube Music. (If you have no preference, I recommend Bandcamp since there is a bonus track there and you will eventually be able to find tapes and special editions of the album there as well.) The CDs are out now! -Check out the pixelart music videos that are out so far from the album: -->Logan's Sunrise Workout: www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7SM1RgsLiM -->Forward: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9VgILr1TDc -->Nightsky Stargazing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0p3jKRTBo -->Aurora's Rainy Day Mix: https://youtu.be/zwqPmypBysk ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ mailing listThe Thirteenth Hour, Like what you see or hear? Consider supporting the show over at Thirteenth Hour Arts on Patreon or adding to my virtual tip jar over at Ko-fi. Thirteenth Hour Arts GroupSpotifyiTunes, Stitcher,Player FMTuneinGoogleplay MusicThe Thirteenth Hour’@the13thhr@the13thhr.ostThe Thirteenth Hour Long Ago Not So Far AwayThirteenth Hour https://joshuablum.bandcamp.com/Spotifymailing listCDtapehttps://13thhr.wordpress.comhttp://bit.ly/1VhJhXYThe Thirteenth Hour writejoshuablum@gmail.com

Duration:00:30:15