Archive 81: “Our Next Project: Generation Crossing”

Podcast: Archive 81
Host: Dead Signals (Dan and Mark)
Date: September 23, 2024
Episode Purpose:
Dan and Mark, creators of Archive 81, announce their new audio fiction album, Generation Crossing: an experimental, music-driven, sci-fi spoken word piece. They reflect on recent projects, update fans on Archive 81’s future, and debut the opening segment of Generation Crossing.

Overview

This episode breaks with Archive 81’s usual horror and urban weirdness format to share major news: the creators are launching a new project, Generation Crossing, described as a “spoken word space opera.” Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the creators’ recent artistic ventures, reassurances about the future of Archive 81, and an atmospheric first taste of the new project’s story and sound.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Creator Banter & Project Updates

• Personal Check-Ins: Dan and Mark joke about their confusion with fiction and reality, referencing Archive 81 lore (“my body is no longer replaced with a recorder now"—Dan, 00:27).
• Recent Side Projects:
  • Dan mentions releasing a dance music EP called Party Coffee.
  • Mark has written a novel and a play, seeking literary agent interest.
  • Both praise each other’s work and thank the fan community for tracking show lore and contributing fan art/theories.

“Dead Signals. We would be nothing without our Lore volunteers.” — Dan (00:48)

Announcing Generation Crossing (Main Segment: 02:05–04:48)

• New Direction:
  • The project is an album, not a podcast.
  • Concept: A series of monologues chronicling an 800-year journey to a new world, following the evolving society aboard a generation ship; the ship's AI is the only continuous “character.”
  • Form:
    • Described as “spoken word space opera.”
    • Highly “vibey, ambient, experimental.”
  • The creators urge listeners to experience it in a meditative, immersive way (e.g., “lie on their bed and stare at the ceiling”).
  • Not directly linked to Archive 81/DeepVault universes, but features familiar voice actors.

“Something we really love to do at Dead Signals is stretch the boundary of what audio storytelling...can do. This feels like a really exciting new step for us.” — Dan (02:38)

“It is extremely, extremely vibey. And what I really hope is that people lie on their bed and stare at the ceiling and listen to it for a little bit... It’s a very, very vibey little piece, I think.” — Mark (02:55)

• Release Info:
  • Album drops November 12, 2024, on all major music platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp).

Fan Community & Future of Archive 81 (03:54–04:48)

• Audience Appreciation:
  • The hosts are moved by ongoing fan engagement (fan art, theories, character discussions).

“It's been really, really heartening after all these years to see that people are still talking about Archive 81 and the Deep Vault.” — Dan (03:54)

• Nothing’s Over:
  • They assure listeners Archive 81 will return when new, innovative story ideas arise—no filler seasons.

“When we feel like we can do something new and fun with the world, we'll return to it.” — Mark (04:27)

Preview: Generation Crossing (04:54–14:16)

[04:54] – [05:16]: Introduction/Launch Sequence

• Ship’s AI (calm, clinical voice) walks through pre-departure systems check.
• Signals beginning of a multi-generational space mission.

[05:16] – [11:01]: Monologue—Founder’s Speech

• Character: Founder Malia Patterson (AI’s persona).
• Themes:
  • Hesitation and doubt before a vast, unprecedented undertaking.
  • The sacred responsibility of guiding humanity’s seed to a new world.
  • Reassurance: The AI contains the founder's essence and will be a presence for the crew.
• Notable Quotes:

  “Doubt is normal. And at this, the grandest undertaking in human history, doubt is expected. But doubt cannot be allowed to prevent progress…” — Malia Patterson (06:00 approx.)

  “You are the shepherds of civilization. You will guide this small, fragile seed through a vast ocean until it sprouts anew on a distant world. I envy you, in a way...” — Malia Patterson (07:02 approx.)

  “Your ship’s very computer has been constructed with my essence in mind. My personality. [...] It will serve as your steward, as you will serve to shepherd the founders and shepherd yourselves to a virgin world.” — Malia Patterson (08:50 approx.)

  “I will see you again in the faces of your descendants. And I will hear you in the voices of your descendants as we disembark onto the soil of a new Earth.” — Malia Patterson (09:35 approx.)

[11:01] – [14:16]: Crew Member’s Monologue

• Character: An unnamed soil chemist speaks to the ship’s AI about daily life and mental strain.
• Dilemma: The “recvit lounge” videoscreen always loops the empty void of space, causing unease and homesickness.
  • The character requests images of Old Earth or even “a solid color” instead.
  • Emphasizes the psychological challenge of perpetual space travel.
• Personal Reflections: Touches on isolation, generational legacy, memory, and subtle humor about crew relationships.

“Just. Seeing [space] every day, or nearly every day... it’s a lot. It makes me want to get married. You know, for the personal recvit space in the family dorm. Just to see the vidscreen less.” — Soil Chemist (12:20)

“It’s such an enclosed system, but getting that stuff underneath my fingernails feels good. It feels... When I get to recfit for my stat bike and my laps, it’s like. Like a reminder, you know? Like when you’re about to fall asleep and you trip over the stairs so you come awake...” — Soil Chemist (12:57)

• Existential Touch: The chemist dreams of floating in space with the sleeping founders—conveys a haunting sense of purpose and continuity.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “As the fan wiki says, my body is no longer replaced with a recorder now.” — Dan (00:27)
• “I do not keep track of lore, and you guys do a much better job than I do… Dead Signals. We would be nothing without our Lore volunteers.” — Mark and Dan (00:31–00:48)
• “It's a very, very vibey little piece, I think.” — Mark (02:55)
• “You are the shepherds of civilization. You will guide this small, fragile seed through a vast ocean until it sprouts anew on a distant world. I envy you, in a way…” — Malia Patterson (07:02 approx.)
• “It makes me want to get married... Just to see the vidscreen less. Not that I want to get married yet. Not with the options right now…” — Soil Chemist (12:20)

Episode Flow & Tone

The tone is playful, intimate, and appreciative. Dan and Mark’s camaraderie stands out, along with their care for the fanbase and their drive to push the boundaries of audio storytelling. The Generation Crossing preview shifts into poetic sci-fi, mingling awe, melancholy, and hope.

Listening Recommendations

• Skip To:

  • [04:54] for the start of the Generation Crossing excerpt.
  • [05:16–11:01]: Founder’s speech (haunting, philosophical).
  • [11:01–14:16]: Crew perspective (personal, relatable, subtly humorous look at life in deep space).

• Release: November 12, 2024, on all music platforms.

Summary for Newcomers:
This isn’t the next season of Archive 81, but a boundary-pushing, atmospheric audio album blending speculative fiction and music. Generation Crossing promises lush soundscapes and speculative, philosophical storytelling with Archive 81’s signature existential wonder. And yes, Archive 81 will return—when inspiration strikes.