Spirits at Sunset Strip - Part II

Mon Dec 30 2024

In this episode, the Night Owl team returns to the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, nestled in the heart of Austin's iconic 6th Street, to continue their investigation into the unsettling paranormal activity at this historic building. Last time, the team uncovered chilling reports from staff and locals—disembodied voices calling their names, shadowy figures rushing them, mysterious foul odors that appear and disappear for no reason throughout the back of the building, and most commonly reported, an ominous presence felt in the back stairwell that may be tied to a mysterious death in the buildings past. But the mystery deepens today, as Stephen is joined by team members Alexis, Franklyn, and psychic medium Jeffery, who will dive in and explore the dark corners of this club with him. They’ll attempt to find rational explanations for some of the strange reports, but as they dig in, Jeffery begins to make eerie connections to the reports and uncover new possible spirits lurking in the ...

Transcript

Stephen Ballew (0:00)

The Night owl Podcast Episode 55 Spirits at Sunset Strip Part 2 welcome to the Night Owl Podcast. I'm your host, Stephen Ballew, and this is a place for all you restless spirits out there to tune in and hear true tales of the paranormal. I hunt these stories down, capture them from the mouths of those who've experienced them, and share them with you right here. We're currently looking for more personal ghost.

Bo (0:25)

Stories or haunted locations, so if you.

Stephen Ballew (0:27)

Or someone you know has one, please submit it to us. For consideration, go to thenight owlpodcast.com Click on the Submit yout Story page and let us hear your ghost story. In this episode, we return to the Sunset Strip Comedy Club nestled in the heart of Austin's iconic 6th street, to continue our investigation into the unsettling paranormal activity at this historic building. Last time, we uncovered chilling reports from staff and locals. Disembodied voices calling their names, shadowy figures rushing them, mysterious, foul odors that appear and disappear for no reason throughout the back of the building. And most commonly reported, an ominous presence felt in the back stairwell that may be tied to a mysterious death in the building's past. But the mystery deepens today as I'm joined by team members Alexis Franklin and psychic medium Jeffrey, who will dive in and explore the dark corners of this club with me. We'll attempt to find rational explanations for some of the strange reports. But as we dig in, Geoffrey begins to make eerie connections to the claims while uncovering new possible spirits lurking in the venue's shadows. Utilizing cutting edge techniques like the Estes Method and Ganzfeld experiments, the team and I will venture into uncharted territory. And just when we think we've hit a dead end, a surprising witness from Missouri steps forward with a shocking validation that could change everything. Is the Sunset Strip Comedy Club truly haunted? Join us as we dive deeper into the mystery, unraveling the past and confronting whatever spirits might still haunt this historic building. Stay tuned. Once again, I'd like to thank AG1 for their continued support of the Night Owl Podcast. It's the perfect time to start a new healthy habit. And that's why I've been partnering with AG1 for so long. AG1 is offering new subscribers a free $76 gift. When you sign up for you'll get a welcome kit, a bottle of D3K2, and five free travel packs with your first box, so make sure to check out drinkag1.com night owl before we jump into the investigation, let's quickly recap where we left off the reports from the Staff at Sunset Strip Comedy Club are nothing short of unsettling. From disembodied voices calling out names to inexplicable smells that appear and disappear without warning, it's clear that something strange is happening here. Staff members like Philip have encountered full bodied apparitions, and others have felt the unmistakable presence of a female spirit lingering in the green room. There were also reports of a darker, possibly demonic force hiding in the back office. And then there's the eerie back stairwell that could potentially hold the weight of tragic history. Whispers of a man who may have taken his own life here by ingesting Lysol, adding to the sense of dread that surrounds this space. Now the time has come to investigate further. Our team, including psychic medium Jeffrey, is ready to delve into the heart of these claims. On day two of this investigation, we'll be stepping into the shadows, attempting to gather evidence and pushing our tools to their limits as we seek to connect the dots between the strange experiences and the history buried within these walls. On Monday, September 2, 2024, most of my team and I had met at team member Alexis's shop on East 6th Street. Since it wasn't far from the location, I had Jeffrey meet us there as well, and we carpooled to the Sunset Strip. As always, Jeffrey had no knowledge of the location or any of its claims. This also is not a publicly reported haunting, so there were no online reports anywhere to be found. When we got parked downtown, I walked the team over to the building and we had Jeffrey step aside and share some general impressions he'd already gotten the night before.

Summary

The Night Owl Podcast — Episode 55

"Spirits at Sunset Strip, Part II"
Released December 30, 2024

Overview

In this immersive episode, host Stephen Belyeu and the Night Owl Paranormal Research team continue their investigation into the Sunset Strip Comedy Club, a venue layered with decades of Austin history and mounting reports of chilling paranormal activity. The crew, including psychic medium Jeffrey, investigative teammates Alexis and Franklin, and staff members, aim to both validate personal experiences and scrutinize physical explanations for strange phenomena within the club. Through psychic impressions, technical experiments, and unprecedented witness validation, the team explores what — or who — haunts these historic walls.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap & Context: What’s Haunting Sunset Strip?

Previous reports included:
- Disembodied voices calling out staff names
- Shadowy apparitions in the back areas and green room
- Unexplained, shifting foul odors
- A pervasive, ominous presence in the back stairwell, possibly tied to a reported suicide (Lysol ingestion) years prior
Purpose: Test these reports with a fresh investigation, including use of the Estes Method and Ganzfeld experiments (psychic/sensory deprivation techniques).

2. Arrival & Psychic Impressions (00:25–14:00)

Early Impressions from Jeffrey (Psychic Medium)

Without prior knowledge, Jeffrey reports:

“For the last couple of days, I've been seeing someone hearing their name called, you know, when nobody else was there…” (04:06, Jeffrey)
- Picks up on music and old records — possibly referencing prior venues (The Parish, Mercury Lounge).
- Hints of overlapping human voices, laughter, secrets, and a lingering sense of activity, especially in hallways near the green room and bar.

Validation

Staff confirm this matches their experiences of invisible voices and misplaced objects.

Specific Visions

Witnesses the back of a man’s head, brown hair, white shirt seated in the audience:

“It looks like the back of a guy's head, brownish hair, wearing a white shirt. He's just sitting there.” (10:11, Jeffrey)
In the former apartment area (now storage):

“I feel like it was a guy who lived back here. I saw him in the shower...” (11:04, Jeffrey)
- Historical note: Former male owner did live there, though still alive.
On the infamous stairwell: not much felt, but mentions a “liminal space” (transitional, energetically charged).
Repeated encounters with a male “stagehand” energy:

“Taller than I am...maybe kind of chunky, short brown hair from the back...stage manager vibe...” (13:09, Jeffrey)

In the Green Room and Backstage

Echoes of strong, residual energy; shadow figures glimpsed only in mirrors.
Feels a touch on his shoulder, hears “excuse me” (from male entity). Feels dedicated but lonely; possibly attached to equipment, not the building.

3. Technical Investigations: Explaining the Unexplainable? (25:33–27:49)

High EMF readings in the back office (breaker boxes): can make sensitive folks feel uneasy, but not dangerous.
Dimmer switches that move on their own: some explained by age/faulty parts, though one high capacity dimmer remains a mystery:

“The dimmer switches moving on their own wasn't as explainable. So this still remained a mystery to us.” (27:49, Stephen Ballew)
Attempts to debunk loud banging noises (thought to be pipes or restroom sinks) fail:

“...banged on the wall as hard as they could. It did not produce a banging sound at all...very hard to debunk.” (30:22, Stephen Ballew)

4. The Experiments: Estes Method & Ganzfeld Sessions (37:27–59:30)

a. Jeffrey’s Estes Session—Evidence of Theft, Fear, and a Sinister Voice

Keywords repeatedly surfaced: thief, theft, switches, six (6), fear.
Notable exchange:

"Thief. Again. Snake. Sneak. Jump." (37:55, Jeffrey) “Six. Six. Six...Sinister.” (39:02, Bo) "Fear." (39:10, Jeffrey)
- Multiple presences: young man, young woman, and a deeper sinister male voice.

b. Franklin’s Estes Session—A Skeptic’s Terrifying Encounter

Repeats “thief”, “Steven” (not sure if host or historical), “jump”.
Name “Emma” surfaces, amid urgent, repeated female screaming:

“Muscular. Screaming. Woman screaming...” (45:14–45:19, Franklin)
- After session, Franklin (self-proclaimed skeptic) admits:
  
  “...the woman would scream, the sounds would ultimately just turn dark and then it would sound like you're hearing a woman screaming on the telephone...Afraid for their life. Screaming.” (46:40–47:21, Franklin)

c. Alexis’ Ganzfeld Session—Faces, Snakes, and a Demand for Attention

Experiences physical sensations (chair kicked, face touched), intense visuals of angry male with snake-like eyes, crowd of shadow figures.
Repeated mention: "Steven, the stairs–you need to go see the stairs." (51:18, Alexis)
Staff member Philip confirms seeing similar visualizations, adding further credibility.

d. Philip’s Estes (on the Stairs)—Snakes, Screams, and a Plea

Snakes “coming from the outside edges,” loud female screams, words “snitch,” “bodies,” “leave,” “escape,” and “war against women.”
Unnerved by desperate pleas:

“I didn't like the ‘please’ at all. It kind of made me want to take it off immediately...the pleas was, like, desperate.” (57:34, Philip)

e. Jeffrey’s Second Estes (on the Stairs)—Names Surface, Blocked Communication

Voices fragment: “Help. John. Help John, out, please...”
"Stop" and silence whenever the team tries to press for details about “John” (possibly referencing J. Waller Stevens, Jr., alleged suicide victim).

5. Physical & Historical Correlations (Throughout)

Psychic impressions frequently match staff reports and historical sketches:
- Audience/Stagehand presences
- Area between the green room and the stairwell recognized as a “liminal” hot spot
- Several sessions reference a “theft” (rumored bookkeeper embezzlement, confirmed by staff memory but unproven by research so far)
- Female presences—some friendly, some in distress
“I feel like he's...a guardian angel for this building...kind of a backstage work hand.” (29:20, Jeffrey)
- Aggressive, possibly protective or oppressive male presence.

6. Witness Testimony: Performer from St. Louis Validates Psychic Visions (68:49–78:27)

Lindsay's Account (remote performer)

Walks into the building and feels “a lot of presence, a lot of heaviness,” especially at the top of the stairwell.
Backstage, repeatedly feels an extra person present, hears unexplained rolling noises (“...something was rolling, but there was nothing.” (68:49, Lindsay)).
Feels a youthful, feminine energy in the green room and an older, masculine energy at the stairwell/back door.
On stage, senses both someone in the audience and another on stage with her, both masculine:

“The energy and presence that was on the stage with me felt like someone who was there to do a job. The energy in the audience felt like someone who was there to have fun...” (77:26, Lindsay)
Stephen:

“The most prominent energy [Jeffrey] felt was a male who worked the stage there...not something that the staff ever described.” (77:58, Stephen)
Lindsay’s testimony strikingly validates Jeffrey’s earlier, otherwise unconfirmed impressions.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On Psychic Impressions Matching Reports:

“More than images this time. Usually it's pictures, but this all had to do with human voices. Lots of human voices.” (04:29, Jeffrey)
On the Stagehand Spirit (“Hank”):

“He's a big guy...very dedicated. He likes being busy, but it feels like he's kind of hurt, too. Maybe lonely.” (14:58, Jeffrey)
On Technical Failures to Explain Phenomena:

“...banged on the wall as hard as they could. It did not produce a banging sound at all...very hard to debunk.” (30:22, Stephen Ballew)
On the Repeated Theme of ‘Theft’ and ‘Snitch’:

"Thief. Again. Snake. Sneak. Jump." (37:55, Jeffrey)
"Thief Again." (43:00, Franklin)
On The Female Scream (Estes Sessions):

“The woman would scream, the sounds would ultimately just turn dark...Afraid for their life. Screaming.” (46:40–47:21, Franklin)
On Validation from Lindsay’s Outside Testimony:

“I felt someone on the stage with me who wasn’t there, and...someone in the audience...Both of the energies felt male...” (77:51, Lindsay)
On The Unexplained ("Hank")

“...no one on the staff had ever reported anything like him. I wasn't sure what to make of that...” (67:24, Stephen Ballew)

Segment Timestamps

00:00–04:00: Recap of prior episode, staff reports, introduction of the team
04:00–14:00: Jeffrey’s first psychic walkthrough and initial impressions
14:00–28:00: Investigating private areas, back stairwell, green room, and backstage—psychic impressions, object movement
25:33–27:49: Alexis & Franklin run EMF and technical explanations on electrical “hot spots” and dimmer switches
30:58–33:47: Alexis & Franklin try to debunk unexplained sounds
37:27–41:21: Estes Method session #1 (Jeffrey)
42:28–47:56: Estes session #2 (Franklin) and detailed debriefing on overwhelming “screaming woman”
48:54–53:16: Ganzfeld session (Alexis): physical sensations and intense visualizations, “Steven, the stairs”
54:20–59:30: Estes sessions on staircase (Philip/Jeffrey): snakes, “bodies,” desperate pleas, “help John”
61:20–67:24: Final team recaps, staff & psychic perspective, open questions
68:49–78:27: Lindsay’s surprise witness account from Missouri—external validation of psychic findings
78:27–80:20: Stephen’s reflection, next steps, plans to research "Hank’s" true identity

Conclusion & Ongoing Mysteries

The investigation delivers a rare blend of psychic impressions, technical scrutiny, overlapping witness testimony, and unresolved mysteries. The team's findings suggest:

Multiple distinct spirits: A busy, recent-era male "stagehand" (possibly “Hank”), a frightened or oppressed female (possibly tied to historic or criminal events), and a more sinister, controlling masculine presence.
Persistent themes: Thievery, pleas for help, intense emotional echoes (fear, loneliness).
Physical phenomena: Name-calling voices, shadow figures, objects moving, unexplained electrical anomalies, and ritualistic mention of “snakes.”
Historic intrigue: Rumored embezzlement and suicide (J. Waller Stevens Jr.), yet unconfirmed by research.
External witness validation: Independent testimonies echo the team’s psychic findings, especially regarding stage/audience presences.

Next Steps:
The Night Owl team will continue their investigation, seek deeper historical context, and introduce a new psychic (Kate the Brave) in a subsequent episode, aiming to further unravel the Sunset Strip’s ghostly enigmas.

For New Listeners

This episode is a prime example of the Night Owl Podcast's evocative, respectful approach to paranormal investigation. The team’s balance of skepticism and sensitivity — coupled with technical rigor — offers a compelling, accessible entry into real-world ghost hunting.

Tune in for Part III of “Spirits at Sunset Strip” on January 27, 2025.