Matt Talks Media dives into the worlds of underground music, indie horror and art, and alternative media practices. Hosted by Dr. Matt Dorr — musician, blogger, and communication professor — the podcast blends personal experience with academic research to explore how non-mainstream voices create culture, build communities, and preserve stories often ignored by the mainstream. Each episode connects theory, history, and lived experience to show why alternative media matters.

• 31 for 31 episode three: Ethical Cannibalism

  • In this week’s 31 for 31 installment, I’m joined once again by my colleague and horror co-conspirator Steven Doughty for a deep dive into three wildly different but equally disturbing films: Talk to Me (2023), Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989), and The Ritual (2017).

    We dig into grief and possession, body-metal madness, and Norse forest nightmares — unpacking what makes each film tick, twitch, and terrify. I also drop my ratings for V/H/S Halloween, Hausu, Ready or Not, The Monkey, and House of the Devil.

• 31 for 31 episode two: Rain Main II
  • For the second 31 for 31 episode, I’m joined again by my colleague and fellow media junkie Steven Doughty to dig into some seriously weird and disturbing movies. This round, we’re covering Weapons, Color Out of Space, Terrifier, X, Men, V/H/S 99, and Infinity Pool.

    From cosmic goo and body horror to found footage chaos and arthouse nightmares, we’re talking about what makes these films tick — and what makes them so damn unsettling. Expect plenty of laughs, tangents, and way too much enthusiasm for practical effects and gross-out moments.

• 31 for 31 episode one: Ghost Doctor
  • In this first 31 for 31 episode, Matt sits down with colleague and fellow media nerd Steven Doughty to talk all things scary — breaking down and reviewing a lineup of modern and classic horror favorites.

    The two dive into the chaos of V/H/S and V/H/S 94, the eerie realism of Lake Mungo and [REC], the haunted house chills of The Conjuring, the supernatural tension of The Black Phone, the campy fun of Creepshow, and the ghost-hunting nightmare of Grave Encounters.

    From found footage to haunted nostalgia, Matt and Steven share their reactions, favorite scenes, and what makes these films stick with us long after the credits roll. It’s part horror review, part late-night movie talk, and all appreciation for the genre that keeps us looking over our shoulders.

• DIY Recording Methods
  • ️ Episode 2 – DIY Recording in Underground Music
    From punk basements to black metal in the woods, this episode explores how underground bands turned limited gear into powerful statements of authenticity and resistance. Lo-fi isn’t a flaw — it’s the sound of independence.

• What is alternative media?
  • In this first episode of Matt Talks Media, I dive into the big question: What exactly is alternative media? From punk zines and manifestos to blogs, fan-driven archives, and tape trading, alternative media has always given underground communities a way to tell their own stories outside the mainstream.

    I share both scholarly perspectives and personal experiences — including my time writing reviews on Metal-Archives, running my blog Murdered Culture, and playing in underground bands. Along the way, we’ll look at activist vs. non-activist media, the history of DIY communication, and why these projects matter for preserving culture that would otherwise disappear.

    Whether you’re a fan of underground music, indie horror, or just curious about how people create outside corporate media, this episode is your introduction to the world of alternative media.

    Join me as we dive into the unknown.