In this episode, the Backers train their ears on the Music category and find that the sounds of these projects stimulate sense memories of experiences from their pasts. They each share some of the influences that guided their personal relationships with music. Chris rekindles his enjoyment of the ska genre, gets a crash course in Scottish Smallpipes and gains motivation to 3D print his own Qwistle. Brian flashes his metal horns only to find himself swept away by images of naked lovers, battle wounds of love, wandering desert vagabonds and ships lost at sea.

MakerSpace : Donald WG Lindsay & Friends : Album by Donald Lindsay

Najara – the Epichorus by Zach Fredman

The Journalism category feels suspiciously like a rehash of the painful early days of the podcast, when the Backers struggled to find the precious nuggets of quality among a smattering of “lifestyle” campaigns and ill-conceived attempts to extract money from the virtual cash machine that is — in some eyes, clearly — Kickstarter. We’ll hear of Chris’s  love of cycling related items and Brian’s naked yearning for drones and, just maybe, two worthy campaigns that allow them to complete the mission.

Add Ad Women by Lina Franzon & Johanna Johansson

‘Just the Facts’ Podcast/Vlog by Tommy Bronsted

The Backers finally reach nirvana after a fortnight of meditation on the Games category. Chris considers backing gamer flair in the face of certain derision from Brian. As they explore the Games projects, they’re delighted by an abundance of creative ideas that promise to entertain in analog and digital mediums. Come with us to the worlds of supernatural plushies, exotic landscapes, social deduction, ambitious puzzles, mysteries, unicorn farts and fiddly bits.

Kill the Unicorns – An Enchanted Card Game For Evil Geniuses by Morning Players

TRÜBERBROOK – A Nerd Saves the World by btf

This week finds the Backers ruminating on Kickstarter’s new site redesign and feasting on the offerings in the Food category. They’ll learn vital information about the depletion of atmospheric oxygen and prepare to capitalize on the nascent animal comfort-based hospitality industry. Brian is delighted by new serving technology for ethnic cuisines and Chris goes vegan, paleo, keto, whole-30, and kosher.

IQ Bar: Delicious Brain Food To Go! by Will Nitze

THE FAJITA BUTLER Serve Fajitas..And More! The Simple Way! by Brian Butler

The Backers focus their lenses on the Film & Vidéo category. Chris and Brian are feeling classy, drinking red wine and, yes, we’re putting the e-acute on vidéo. A couple rewards from previously backed campaigns come to fruition and we discuss the reintroduction of the Drip platform. Then we move on to the world of moving pictures and sojourn through self-made footwear, a cursed ColecoVision, the hidden stories of software, a single dad in a unique situation, and critical thought technologies. We wrap up with creative sci-fi and animation projects that are finding support on Kickstarter because network suits just don’t get it.

SPACE COMMAND: REDEMPTION by Marc Zicree

Mushroom Park the Animated Film by Tim Rauch

This week finds the Backers swept up in the hysteria of a new iPhone release and caught within the Fashion category which may be the nexus of enamel pin projects. The Fashion category presents its own distinct and sizable milieu which leads the Backers down many paths, but also results in some surprising commonalities. Join Chris and Brian in their urbane safari, during which it’s entirely possible that someone disrobes for an obscure ritual.

Backed project: World’s Best Running Shorts-II + Smartphone Pant & more by TrueREVO

Backed project: PAKA – The Alpaca Wool Sweater by PAKA

The Backers find a new, seemingly welcome issue in the Design category with literally hundreds of campaigns to choose from, including several that aren’t even enamel pins. Will the sheer number of choices produce catatonia or rapture? Jump into the world of wallets, watches, fussy coffee mechanisms and, yes, enamel pins in this episode.

Backed project: Spinner Cube – A Revolution In Fidgeting, by Spinnercube

Backed project: FermLock: Your New Favorite Fermentation Airlock & Weight, by Fermented Health

The Dance category has been a source of worry and angst to the Backers since the podcast’s inception. Does it live up to their disquieted expectations? Can our intrepid duo overcome their creeping dread and find something that appeals to them? Find out the answer to these burning questions and learn everything you ever wanted to know about headless robotic animals in this week’s episode.

If you don’t wish to be spoiled as to which campaigns we backed, read no further! Otherwise, blaze on.

Backed project: Sit, Eat and Chew 五味杂陈 by Mei-Yin Ng.

Backed project: The Movement Project – 3rd Annual Dance Show by Cecilia Woods.

The Crafts category throws the Backers into disarray, somehow affecting even their internet connections in a fit of pique. They soldier on, finish the task at hand, and come away chastened and humbled wondering what furries, craft breweries, and boutique hotels have to do with crafts.

If you don’t wish to be spoiled as to which campaigns we backed, read no further! Otherwise, blaze on.

Second runner-up: Handcrafted Pens- Wood, Stone, Acrylic by Crooked Mill Woodworking

First runner-up: The Awful Box by The Awful Box Team

Backed project: Notebook Trust: the smart organizer for all you need by Sen.Art

Noteworthy: Reclaim Arbor: Carbon Negative Reclaimed Wood Paneling by Reclaim Arbor

Backed project: Brontosaurus Quetzalcoatlus and Fiji Mermaid Skeleton Kits by Herbert Hoover

– The other Herbert Hoover

In this episode, the Backers hit their stride and find a vibrant crop of campaigns in the rich loam of the Comics category. Chris has rotgut, Brian is out of his element, but both find solace in the talent on display.

If you don’t wish to be spoiled as to which campaigns we backed, read no further! Otherwise, blaze on.

Second runner-up: Urbanomicon by Alex Chow.

First runner-up: Proactive Insurance: The Pros — an absurdist spy thriller by Steve Stormoen.

Backed project: Scurry: The Drowned Forest – a post-apocalyptic mouse tale by Mac Smith (online comic for book 1 available here).

Runner-up: Scurry: The Drowned Forest – a post-apocalyptic mouse tale by Mac Smith

Backed project: Kevin Eastman’s DRAWING BLOOD, Vol. 1: A Graphic Novel by Kevin Eastman