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On The Table Read, the “Best Entertainment Celebrity Magazine in the UK“, co-founder of F Street Production, Scott Kushner, talks about his fictionalised story podcast, Unsung, about musician Kasim Sulton.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed podcaster and co-founder of F Street Productions Scott Kushner about the Unsung Podcast, what inspired him to make it, and the work that goes into producing it.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am a co-founder of F Street Productions, a new content company, developing , producing and now releasing original, cross-platform scripted and unscripted entertainment. I am also Executive Producer of MediaPlace, the NYC based integrated media and creative services company I founded in 1993. MediaPlace is a digital experience agency that creates content and location based experiences across all digital and interactive platforms for our brand partners.
I have been involved in creative development across many mediums throughout my whole career, which began in network radio; most notably as an engineer and producer on The King Biscuit Flower Hour, America’slongest running radio concert series.
How and why did you start podcasting?
In today’s tech-driven world, the concept of sight, sound and motion is so prevalent; The renewed attraction toward audio-only programming is uniquely unexpected. As the audio-only application and environment become so popular with today’s generation, it’s exciting to see audio take a huge new position in people’s content consumption diets.
In speaking with my longtime friend Michael Simon, who I started in radio with back in college, we realized we had this same refreshed interest in where audio programming was today, thus the concept of F Street Productions was born!
What is your current podcast called, and how did you come up with the name?
The podcast we are launching is UNSUNG, the rock and roll comedy podcast, loosely based on the life of Kasim Sulton, an incredibly talented musician and songwriter who has been around since the late 70s. A musical savant, Kasim has performed with everyone from Meat Loaf , Hall & Oates and many others . He is best known for his work as a member of TOdd Rundgren’s Utopia since the late 70s. He still plays with Todd Rundgren today. You can hear his work on albums that have sold well over 80 million copies.
At the same time, he’s not the front guy, most appropriately considered a musical director, which is where the idea of UNSUNG came from. His life story is both fascinating and at the same time it’s the story of every person who chases their dreams. We’ve fictionalized the story in a really entertaining way. Everyone can relate to this story on some level…..Oh and it’s really funny!!!!
What platforms can we find UNSUNG on?
The Occult Unveiled and UNSUNG podcasts are available on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon…..wherever you get your favorite podcasts. You can also find it on their websites www.theunsungpodcast.com and www.theoccultunveiled.com
What is UNSUNG about?
The episodic comedy series UNSUNG is inspired by the real-life exploits of musician and rock legend Kasim Sulton. In the series, the fictional Alec Sulton suffers a heart attack on stage and is forced to re-engage with his three adult children, all talented musicians themselves.
While the kids know only too well that their dad can be self-destructive and at times incredibly self-absorbed, he’s also the scaffolding upon which they’ve built their own weird little lives. And when they all finally decide to form a band and play together – and they will – one thing becomes clear: They may not be a very tight-knit family, but they’re a pretty good f**king band.
Do you host UNSUNG alone, or have guest hosts/partners?
UNSUNG is a scripted, fictional comedy podcast loosely based on the life and career of Kasim Sulton. Though based on Kasim’s life, the story is in fact fictional. We have gathered an amazing cast of voice actors who have helped us to bring this story to life including Sean Donnellan, Amy Marcs, Claudine Ohayon, Spencer Fox and Jeff Bennett.
Do you edit UNSUNG or have someone who does it for you?
These are both inhouse productions. We work with incredible writers, audio producers, and engineers along with our A-list of Voice talent. It’s great to work with such talented people who are all excited to make it happen!!
Do you script UNSUNG, or just chat as you go?
Unsung is a fictional, scripted podcast. Our incredibly talented writers have really brough amazing vision into the character and story line development…. And i have to say that they brought the funny!!
How has UNSUNG changed or developed since you began?
This is our initial release in the podcast medium…and boy we’ve learned so much already but we certainly expect that both shows will continue to evolve based on feedback from our listeners. A portion of our Season 2 production which has just begun will certainly be influenced by our listeners. We believe in making the content for them, and with them.
What are your biggest challenges with UNSUNG?
Determining an efficient and effective marketing strategy for our shows has been a challenge. We are independent producers trying to cut through all the noise and clutter in this rapidly growing medium… It has been a challenge for us to make sure people who would be interested, know that these new podcasts are out there.
Podcasting in general has grown at such a rapid pace that there is so much content to choose from. It’s critical to figure out how to stand out and convince people to see what makes this special.
What are your favorite podcasts to listen to?
The Knowledge Project, All Songs Considered, WTF
How and where do you promote UNSUNG?
We have been promoting the shows on social media, in the press, with our personal networks.
Do you earn money from podcasting, or is it a hobby?
We would love for podcasting to become a revenue stream, but at present we are working to create great content that people enjoy. Revenue will come if we deliver a great entertainment experience.
What’s something you never expected about podcasting? What have you learned that surprised you?
I never expected the ravenous consumption level of podcast enthusiasts, or the active foreground role that podcasting plays in people’s lives today.. Podcasts have become a key component of many people’s lives. Part of their ecosystem, they don’t go anywhere without them.
What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to start podcasting?
You’ve got an idea that’s keeping you up at night – you have a thought that you want to scream out to so many people out there- don’t go into podcasting for the sake of going into podcasting – go into podcasting as a communication tool to articulate a very unique, interesting idea that you want to share with other people – that people want to receive. And that is where success will come from.
And, finally, are you proud of what you’re accomplishing with your podcast? Is it worth the effort?
Now that we have finished the first season of each of these shows and we’re in “launch mode,” to sit back on launch day and go from provider to provider, checking and seeing how everything played was rewarding. It was amazing to see this vision Michael Simon and I had at the beginning of Covid, brought to life and brought to market on our own as independent producers! It’s very exciting and we are very proud of what we put out there!
Was it worth it??? Hell yeah! We have the opportunity to create great content that people enjoy. There’s nothing better than that!!
Pop all your work, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
UNSUNG Website & Socials
https://www.theunsungpodcast.com/
Instagram – UNSUNG Podcast (@unsung.podcast) • Instagram photos and videos
Twitter – unsungpodcast (@unsungpodcast_) / Twitter
Facebook – (1) Unsung Podcast | Facebook
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