Radio Retrofuture: Steampunk Music For Fallout

Glad to see you guys again! If you want great steampunk resources on YouTube, check out Radio Retrofuture. Bonsart Bokel has a video blog that shows steampunk interviews, discussions, panels, and more. If you want to learn more about steampunk and other retro futuristic genres, his channel is a good place to start. I ran across a series of videos titled Steampunk Music for Fallout. What do you know? Three of my favorite things: steampunk, music, and Fallout. Apparently, Bonsart has a series of podcasts that feature steampunk music along with a small narrative. All of the videos are available on YouTube, but there's an extra perk because you can download the episodes through Old World Radio 2 and use them within Fallout 4's gameplay. It's pretty cool. Players can listen to the podcasts while they're destroying things on the post-apocalyptic landscape. Each episode is around an hour long. The main character is a steampunk DJ named Balthazar Gerards who lives in the Fallout universe and he plays various steampunk songs throughout the episode. In between music selections, he talks about his adventures and mishaps in Boston, New Vegas, and other locations in the Fallout series. 

The narrative is very thin, but it's funny and quite appropriate for the game. Balthazar has some amusing squabbles with his robot named ASP. I assume ASP is a Mr. Handy robot, but the episodes are only audio, so we don't get to see anyone's physical appearance. Balthazar mentions a lot of fun references that would make Fallout fans happy. The narrator talks about a lot of the major sites, characters, and enemies from Fallout 4 and New Vegas. He also mentions quite a few steampunk elements that I found whimsical and interesting. Fallout isn't a steampunk game series, but there's something we should keep in mind. Steampunk and post-apocalyptic settings go together really well. So, I think the podcasts work just fine.

I was impressed with the selection of music. Bonsart includes a wide spectrum of steampunk bands, including The Cog is Dead, A Clockwork Opera, Unwoman, Victor Sierra, Nightwatch Paradox, and others. Each steampunk band has their own style and influences. Some groups are a little more modern with a heavy metal or alternative style. Several bands take elements from 19th century music, like ragtime, string quartets, Dixieland, parlor music, saloon music, drinking songs, etc. The lyrics are a major part of the steampunk component. Each song tells a story about steampunk adventures and ideals. There was a variety of story topics ranging from airships, Wild West gunfights, tea dueling, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and more. The listener or player gets a really good representation of steampunk music through these episodes. Basically, you won't have the entire idea without listening to the music. Download the episodes online here to include in your Fallout 4 gaming experience or listen through Radio Retrofuture on YouTube. 

Photograph taken by Martijn Van Huffelen

Well, this post was a little different than my usual steampunk topics. I really enjoy it when something new and unique comes along. Do you guys think Fallout and steampunk can coexist at the same time? Tell me about it in the comment section. I'm going to leave a couple links, so you can learn more about Radio Retrofuture, Steampunk Music for Fallout, and the rest of Bonsart's work. Don't forget to support him through YouTube or Patreon. It seems like YouTube is becoming more competitive, so become one of Bonsart's subscribers if you're curious about steampunk and Radio Retrofuture. Have a good week and come back soon. 

​-Radio Retrofuture on YouTube

​-​Bonart Bokel's Patreon Page