Advertise on podcast: STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

On Episode 65 of Stark Reality, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to middle Jersey and talks to DJ COMRADE, an excellent DJ and producer and a great dude who shares a lot of his politics, especially on apartheid Israel. While Jim looks at this podcast as a collection of interviews with like minded friends and artists, and not necessarily a time sensitive/breaking news sort of thing, the ongoing genocide in Gaza now in its 3rd month has been horrific, and Comrade was the perfect person to talk to about this. His roots go back spinning 45s and dubplates in reggae soundsystems, playing alongside legends like Stone Love, doing stuff in NYC and Boulder CO, and then later getting into tropical bass sounds and Baile Funk and working alongside many Brazilian heavyweights in that scene. Jim first met Comrade virtually because 10-15 years ago he was one of the very few ppl online that was speaking out against Israeli apartheid and oppression. The bulk of the talk is about Gaza and he will be back to have a more proper music discussion. Comrade has been fighting this fight for a long time, he is the man. This is not a 'professional' news podcast but we hope you enjoy two friends talking proper shit on the racist genocidal shit that is Zionism. Some side notes, Dr. CBS is Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly and her recent book is called Black Scare, Red Scare. and the Sluggy Ranks record that Jim couldn't remember the title is called Ghetto Youth Bust. The background intro music is the Far East riddim just fyi. We'll get a music mix or playlist from Comrade down the road but wanted to get this interview out asap since we are talking about events going on right now. Recorded 12/30/23. Happy new yawn everyone! DJ COMRADE's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist will be coming soon on Episode 66 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For this episode of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to Berlin and talk to CANDICE HOLMES. She is a native New Yorker in exile, living in Germany since 2015 and based in the Peter Pan capital of Europe for the past 6.5 years. She spends her days working in Marketing and nights out and about in the Berlin club and bar scene. She has plenty of opinions about German life and culture and is looking forward to the day she can be a German-American, if the Berlin citizenship backlog and German language test results permit.We get into a number of topics related to Germany, racism, their issues with Palestine and BDS, club culture, how Berlin is changing, culture shock when renting apartments there, etc etc. Also this was recorded Sept 20th 2023, well before the horrific genocide going on in Gaza, in terms of us talking about issues with Germany and Palestine. Candice is top ppls and after talking about this for a min (several years) it was nice to finally talk to her for Stark Reality. To hear Candice’s exclusive Stark Reality Playlist, featuring soul, new wave, world and German Electronic sounds from The Isley Brothers, Fatima Al Qadiri, Whirlpool Productions, Talking Heads, Scooter and more, go to Episode 64 of Stark Reality Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 61 of STARK REALITY, we roll the red carpet out to Harlem and chat with Logan Grendel. A dog guru, photographer, activist, urban gardener, magick practitioner, artist, musician, and Nonbinary Black leftist rabblerouser, Logan Grendel describes himself accurately as seven people all at once. His podcast Focused on Infinity covers 'everything from politics to sex and religion, always with an eye on honesty and authenticity.' We get into a number of topics in this extended conversation, from dog walking and gardening, fire spinning, his music background, and a lot of politics ofc, within the party community, trans rights, how Zionism weaponizes anti-semitism, prison conditions and modern day slavery, the Montgomery mollywop, individualism vs community, debating online, trolls and boundaries, basic empathy, both side-ism, and video games. Check his podcast and TikTok vids - he's on point. To hear Logan's very eclectic exclusive Stark Reality playlist of rock, hip hop, soul, electronic, metal and more - to reflect his diverse tastes - featuring tracks by Paramore, Run The Jewels, Marvin Gaye, Tuxedo, God Lives Underwater, Basement Jaxx and much more, go to Episode 62 of STARK REALITY. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 59 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes veteran New York City DJ, radio producer and party promoter REGGIE JOHNSON. Reggie Johnson is an audio engineer, radio show host, party promoter and all around good ppls. He's been working as an engineer behind the boards at WBAI Pacifica for a few decades, and co-hosting Jeanie Hopper's Liquid Sound Lounge since '98. His own radio show From the Soundboard has been running since 2007, a 'program that usually focuses on concerts regardless of genre. This is where the artist and (or) group perfects the art of the "call and response" with its audience.' He does great deep dives on all kinds of artists and groups like Gal Costa, Link Wray, Yusef Lateef, Paul Robeson, Ramsey Lewis and many others. He's also helped promote parties since 1998 and has a longtime summer thing called Beats & BBQ. In his own words, he's 'just an average individual who believes in Socialist principles through music, arts and action. Everything is connected to everything.' Reggie is a humble and real dude which isn't always the case in these music and party scenes haha. We start out talking about classic parties and DJs like the Loft, David Mancuso, Paradise Garage, Nicky Siano, Turntables on the Hudson, and Liquid Sound Lounge, where Reggie got his start promoting and getting involved with WBAI and doing his own show. We also get into a lot about politics, Palestine, Ukraine, our disappointment with Bernie, critical thinking, and his own journey coming out of his shell as an introvert into promoting and throwing parties. We ended up rapping for over two hours so a longer convo. Enjoy! Reggie also gives us a tasty mix of vintage African funk to accompany. To hear this exclusive 90-plus minute Stark Reality Playlist, go to Episode 60 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS. For the latest news and updates on Reggie's radio show and events, follow him @deepdancenyc on Instagram. Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 57 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the red carpet out to Queens and rapps with Stephen Barr aka DJ HUGGY BEAR. Stephen is a native NYer who grew up in South Ozone Park, when NYC was a slightly different place then it is today. Besides music of course we talk about his collection of vintage toys from cartoons he grew up on in the '80s, working as a bouncer for a decade before DJing at hot spots like Marquee, the organization aspect of being a DJ, handling requests, playing to your audience in pro gigs, dealing with very fickle / short attention span crowds, going to see other DJs, clubs and parties like APT and Mobile Mondaze, how the current rents in NYC are changing the crowds and the vibe, throwing your own parties, and how to keep from getting burnt out on DJing. Stephen is top ppls, one of the nicest dudes in the biz. To hear DJ Huggy Bear's exclusive Stark Reality masterfully mixed playlist of disco, edits and classics to accompany the interview, go to Episode 58 of Stark Reality. To check out more of Huggy Bear's dynamite mixes, check out his Soundcloud page and follow him @djhuggybear on Instagram Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 55 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier rolls out the red carpet out to Brooklyn (via the Bay Area) for reporter, editor and author JESSICA LIPSKY.  She covers culture, politics and music, and her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Salon, Billboard, Wax Poetics, LA Weekly, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Chronicle etc etc etc. Currently she is the senior editor of the Recording Academy’s GRAMMY.com. Jessica is the author of the award-winning book It Ain’t Retro: Daptone Records & The 21st-Century Soul Revolution, which is mostly the focus of this in-depth interview. Talking about badass folks like Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley, The Frightnrs, the Daptones, Anti-balas, Gabe Roth, Neal Sugarman, and the general evolution of 90s/00s revival funk and soul music, and slowdies (ballads). Reading her book was a real pleasure, she captured a lot of that scene and the personalities involved. She has a Harvey Averne interview/overview coming out in the NY Times soon. Jessica also DJs under the name Terry Dactyl and has done radio at KUSF, KPOO, and a number of seedy establishments on both coasts. To hear Jessica's exclusive Stark Reality playlist, go to EPISODE 56 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS for her very funky and soulful All 45's mix of current faves, featuring tracks by Prince Buster, Alton Ellis, Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes, Eddie Floyd, Yvonne Fair, Willie Hutch, Ramones, and much more. Enjoy! For more information about Jessica go to www.jlipsky.com and follow her @interview_boogaloo on Instagram Subscribe to STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts, Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 53 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange rolls out the tattered red carpet to Hells Kitchen / Dublin and catches up with his old friend Desmond O'Byrne aka Des aka DJ Repoman. Jim met Des in the mid 90s running around underground parties in NYC, both resident DJs at the afterhours spot Rubulad. Throughout this in-depth conversation, they talk digging in various flea markets in the area, Des's background as guitarist in the Irish garage rock band The Golden Horde, opening up for the Cramps and playing with bands like The Prisoners and Billy Childish, growing up in Dublin in the 70s, seeing the Clash and Ramones and Specials in '78, making posters for DIY shows he put on, moving to NYC, getting sober, adjusting to playing music sober, becoming a dad, getting into carpentry, cleaning records with wood glue, and why he gravitated towards instrumentals when he first started DJing. and their night in the early 2000s they did together at Plant Bar in the East Village. Des is top ppls can't say that enough. great dude with excellent taste in music. Recorded Nov 2022. For more info about Desmond O'Byrne aka DJ Repoman, check out his Discogs page For Des's exclusive playlist of sounds from around the world, cumbia, kompa, brazilian, rocksteady, and a few guitar licks, go to Episode 54 of Stark Reality Playlists on Apple Podcasts or on Mixcloud or live & direct on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Chanel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 51 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes special guest KATHLEEN SCHAAF, owner of Meow Vintage in Long Beach California since 1986.  Kathleen has been hunting deadstock vintage since the late 70s. She's known as the 'Queen of Vintage', and her store on 4th Street was the first vintage shop on a street that is now known as 'Retro Row'.   Jim and Kathleen talk about digging for clothes in the 70s/80s, going on roadtrips to find deadstock, 'denim dogs' aka jeans vendors, t-shirts, west coast classic surf wear like Hang Ten, OP, etc, fast fashion, underground music scenes and how they are related to vintage clothes, trends in vintage as times change, newer buyers and how they shop, and staying excited about digging for clothes after 4 decades plus in the game.  She is the coolest, her taste is impeccable and Meow's is a true curated vintage shop. Was great to chat with her in depth after shopping there for so many years. Recorded July 19th 2022. To hear Kathleen's exclusive Stark Reality playlist, a nice mix of underground rock/punk/etc. check out Episode 52 of STARK REALITY on jasoncharles.net MUSIC CHANNEL here or STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 52 on Apple or wherever you get your music podcasts. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS to get both parts of each guest's episodes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Episode 49 of STARK REALITY Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange welcomes Maga Bo, an internationally known DJ and producer who has released music and remixes on a number of the world's finest labels, Tru Thoughts, Ninja Tune, Cumbancha, Soot, Soundway, and his own Karfundo and Kaxambu.  Originally from Seattle, he's been based in Rio de Janeiro for over 20 years, and keeps very busy, touring and performing in over 50 countries, from Ethiopia to India to the northeastern parts of Brazil. He works with local musicians and incorporates various traditional rhythms and fuses it with modern dance production. Jim and Maga Bo talk about the problems with pressing vinyl these days, Bolsonaro and Brazilian politics, the idea of community and building relationships and collaborations, playing festivals in Rajasthan India, dealing with trolls on social media, the leftist news org Brasil Wire, Ukraine, etc. top ppls! Go get his productions he's the man. Has a new record out too... Check out Maga Bo's music on his bandcamp page and follow him @magabodj on Instagram To hear the exclusive STARK REALITY PLAYLIST from Maga Bo, check out Episode 50 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Mixcloud, Apple Podcasts or live & direct on the Stark Reality page on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network MUSIC Channel See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 47 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange, this time around the tattered red carpet gets rolled out to Philly for special guest DIRTY SOUTH JOE.  He is 3 decades deep in the game, has thrown a number of different parties in different styles, from yacht rock to dubstep to his Drake themed night which gets thousands of heads. We talk about him starting out DJing growing up in DC and spinning at the legendary 930 Club, to NYC in the 90s/00s (where I first met him), to moving to Philly in the early Oos and becoming the buyer at Armands, the main hip hop store there. Joe ran Ol' Head Records through Diplo's Mad Decent label and put out some early Jersey Club and Baltimore Breaks. His Luvstep series with Fluffatronix was an exploration into the soulful side of Dubstep. He currently has an Anime party that mixes DJing and VJing together. Dirty South Joe is also Palestinian, something I learned years after knowing him, and we talk about changing perceptions on Palestine. He also has a podcast about DJing with fellow selectah Low Budget. To say Joe keeps busy is an extreme understatement. Just a crazy music head who is always throwing shit out there. Top ppls. Enjoy cheers. Recorded Feb 24th, 2022. For more info about Dirty South Joe follow him on Instagram @dsjoedeux To hear Joe's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist of anime score music and funky soundtrack sounds, go to Episode 48 of STARK REALITY on jasoncharles.net Podcast Network MUSIC Channel, or on Apple Podcasts' STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 48. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 45 of STARK REALITY features James Dier aka $mall ¢hange's in-depth interview with Honeychild Coleman, a longtime friend in NYC we met in the mid 90s at a loft party in Williamsburg.  She is an OG afro punk, rude girl, DJ, musician, an original. One of those ppl that keeps New York still New York, despite the yuppification of this town. Forward thinking politics and dope fashion. Top top ppls. And she keeps very busy. Originally from Kentucky, Carolyn / Honeychild fronts blues-punk outfit The 1865 (Mass Appeal Records) on vocals/baritone guitar, and spins records under DJ Sugarfree BK. plays on bass/sings in Post Punk trio Bachslider. Collaborators/ Projects: GKA, Heavensbee, Gracefully, Mad Professor, Apollo Heights, Death Comet Crew, Burnt Sugar, DJ Olive, Raz Mesinai's Badawi, etc etc In this interview we discuss black women's contribution to rock and roll, mixing politics and music, her various projects and the different playing styles for each group, the general stereotypes on black ppl, and the folks pushing beyond those parameters, gatekeepers/snobs in underground scenes, meeting Ari Up from the Slits and going on tour with them, her DJing and how her style has evolved. For more info about Honeychild go to www.honeychildcoleman.com and follow her on Instagram @hccoleman Honeychild also gives us a nice set of local / newer underground and punk sounds, featuring tracks from Simi, Mother Goddess, Tamar-Kali, Suffrajett and her own band The 1865.  To hear this exclusive Stark Reality Playlist, go to Episode 46 of STARK REALITY or on Apple Podcasts' STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS Episode 46. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 43 of STARK REALITY with Host James Dier aka $mall ¢hange rolls out the red carpet to Venezuela for the exclusive in-depth Stark Reality interview with Caracas-based writer and editor RICARDO VAZ, recorded 2/23/22. Ricardo Vaz works for independent media outlet Venezuelanalysis and he is also a member of Venezuelan collectives Tatuy Tv and Utopix.  Ricardo grew up in Mozambique before going on to study theoretical physics in Portugal and the United States. But his communist ideals and Hugo Chávez eventually saw him move to Venezuela in 2019.Venezuelan Analysis is a key source of info on Venezuela in English (and obviously Spanish too), check them out they’re great. We talk about various US f*ckery in Venezuela, the 2002 coup against Maduro, the clown Juan Guaido, Jack Ryan, media coverage and western propaganda, Alex Saab, sanctions, elections in Venezuela, the coup in Bolivia in 2019, Cuba, ex-pats, and traditional Latin American folk and protest music.  For Ricardo’s accompanying exclusive Stark Reality playlist, a selection of his music from various countries, check out Episode 44 of Stark Reality on jasoncharles.net or on Stark Reality Playlists wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.