What is Surrounded by Blankets?
It’s a newsletter dedicated to celebrating and signal-boosting independent podcasts through criticism.
Origins
I read this dogshit Vulture article, written from the assumption that podcasting as a commercial enterprise needs blockbuster shows like Serial to stay relevant and evolve.
Fuck that. Podcasting is an art form before it’s a commercial enterprise, and a cornucopia of independent storytellers, producers, comedians, journalists, organizers, and culture critics making their voices heard is better than perpetuating celebrity-driven monoculture, actually.
So let’s push back against the algorithms and lack of imagination at the big press outlets to spread the word about great shows being made under the radar and/or without a big machine behind them.
Who am I?
I’m Dave Maher, an independent comedian, writer, and podcaster. I love podcasts, and I think some of the best art is made outside the interests of corporations (though I’m no purist; I love Survivor as much as anyone). Capitalism is the past. The future is local and cooperative.
Why criticism?
I’m not an artist who dismisses criticism out of hand, as if every critic is a failed practitioner of whatever art they criticize. I love great criticism! My first job out of college was writing news and occasional features for Pitchfork. Beyond pure cheerleading, SBB boosts independent podcasts by treating them as works of art worthy of critical engagement. Not for the sake of competition but to evaluate how well they accomplish their goals and push the art form forward.
