DEADFALL. The five friends behind the investigative podcast "Deadfall, Wisconsin." (Submitted photo)

After uncovering something strange in the deep, dark woods of Wisconsin, five friends decide to start an investigative podcast about their journey to find out the truth behind a legend. Shared to us through a story-like podcast filled with unlikely characters and original sounds, the story of fabled fanged deer lurking in the night is told.

While “Deadfall, Wisconsin” follows 5 friends’ investigative journey, it is also 5 friends behind the scenes that have written, recorded, and produced the story throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, forward. Zoom evenings with each other all over Wisconsin, with 1 residing in Eau Claire, 2 in Milwaukee, and 2 in Madison, curated a bond connected to the story that imagines Wisconsin filled with magic and lore.

After the 5 friends – Carl Fuerst, Eric Stoegbauer, Phil Gaebler, Brad Cress, and Ryan Jarvis – reminisced on the evolutionary possibilities of a taxidermy deer who looked as if he had shadow fangs on his snout, a long-winded conversation was summed into a simple google search. However, it was the imaginative possibilities that inspired the crew to dig deeper. 

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...the podcast quickly comes off the rails as the characters start to reveal that they aren’t initially who they say they are

Ryan Jarvis

co-collaborator of 'deadfall, Wisconsin' podcast

“We thought it would be funny if someone looked into a mystery that was easily solvable,” Ryan Jarvis, our Eau Claire representative, said. “However, the podcast quickly comes off the rails as the characters start to reveal that they aren’t initially who they say they are.”

With 3 rewrites, 2 recordings, and original music from Fuerst, Stoegbauer, and Cress’ band called “The Old Ghosts of New Mercury,” listeners will be impressed at the details laced throughout. “We hope that people enjoy the story and that they can laugh, but still be intrigued, and also be weirded out,” Jarvis said. The first season of “Deadfall” features 36 episodes (27 main and 9 interstitials) around 20 minutes each. Including voice acting from the five friends and folks all over the state as supportive characters, “Deadfall” is more than a podcast, but a creative experience that takes you deep into the unraveling mystery.

“At the risk of sounding cliche, “Deadfall” is hard to pin down. Listeners can expect it to be sometimes funny, sometimes eerie, and almost always strange,” Jarvis began. “‘Deadfall’ has eccentric characters, original music, and a lot of love pouring in from everyone who helped us make it.” Episodes are released every Friday, with a build to a second season on the horizon.

“(Please note) “Deadfall” has explicit language and themes so take care where you listen to it,” Ryan started. “But, still do listen to it,” he laughed.

Follow the story on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, or Audible, and follow them on Instagram @deadfall_wisconsin_podcast.