Radiolab & Detour Launch Austin Audio Walk at SXSW
AUSTIN, TEXAS, MARCH 13, 2015 – Detour, the mobile app for location-aware audio walking tours, and WNYC’s Radiolab, the groundbreaking podcast that redefined audio storytelling, launched today a special Detour only available in Austin.
“Radiolab Presents: The Year That Broke Austin,” launches in conjunction with the first day of the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Festival. Now with seven Detours available in San Francisco, “The Year That Broke Austin” will be the first Detour to launch outside of the Bay Area and is only available to experience while on location in Austin -- giving SXSW attendees from all over the country the opportunity to experience Detour while in town.
“For a decade, Radiolab has made podcasts that transport you away from wherever you are -- the gym, your cubicle, the subway -- and place you deeply inside the story,” said Radiolab Executive Producer, Ellen Horne. “For the first time, we’ve gotten to apply our narrative chops to engage the physical world directly around the listener. It’s a magical experience. We think Detour is a whole new medium. It’s been a blast to play in it.”
“The Year That Broke Austin” is an immersive and sometimes spooky Detour that chronicles an unsolved murder mystery from 1885. Before its streets were lit with electric lights, the city was electrified in another way: by news of a murderer who came to be known as the Servant Girl Annihilator—perhaps America's first serial killer. This Detour leads the listener into Austin establishments, down into a creekbed, through a hidden maze and more – while investigating a 130 year old murder case. Narrated by Austin-based actor Barbara Chisholm, the Detour includes original music by Austin local Shakey Graves, Alexander Overington and Noveller.
“The talented team at Radiolab has created a perfect showcase for what can be achieved in this new medium,” said Andrew Mason, Founder and CEO of Detour. “Writers, filmmakers, musicians and storytellers of all kinds should check out this Detour while at SXSW to get a first peek at a whole new way to tell great stories. We hope they walk away inspired to develop Detours for their own cities.”
For more information and to download “The Year That Broke Austin,” please visit www.detour.com/austin/detours. The Detour is free during the festival.
RADIOLAB is WNYC’s innovative, Peabody Award-winning public radio podcast sensation about wonder, discovery and big ideas. Co-hosted by veteran science reporter Robert Krulwich and MacArthur “Genius” Jad Abumrad, the show tackles topics as diverse as why people see different colors in the same place, what machines can reveal about humanity, and why people get stressed out in line at the supermarket. RADIOLAB consistently ranks in the Top 10 podcasts on iTunes and airs on more than 500 public radio stations across the country, including KUT. A Radiolab app is available for download on both Android and iPhone platforms. Downloads, web exclusives, a blog, and more is available at www.radiolab.org. Radiolab is produced by WNYC, the most listened-to public radio station in the country.
Detour is a brand new way to experience the world. Detours are gorgeous audio walks that reveal hidden stories, people and places at every turn. Each Detour takes you at your own pace, your own schedule, alone or synced with friends. When you take a Detour, you’ll put in your earbuds, slip your phone in your pocket and start seeing things in a different way. Groups of up to eight can sync tours for a shared experience using Bluetooth. Detour is currently available in San Francisco and Austin. Detour was created by Groupon founder Andrew Mason and is headquartered in San Francisco. Find Detour in the App Store and visit www.detour.com.
Press contacts:
Jaime Cottini for Detour
Mallika Dattatreya, Radiolab
646-829-4331
