STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

STARK REALITY Host JAMES DIER aka DJ $mall ¢hange is back for Episode 69/70! "Hi party ppl, been a minute but managed to record another podcast, this time rolling the tattered red carpet out to LaLa Land to interview special guest, producer and advocate SHIRLEY BRAHA. An ex-New Yorker now living in LA, Shirley is a Queer Syrian-Jew who is against Imperialism and Zionism.  She was also the human behind Marnie the Dog (@marniethedog RIP), the iconic senior rescue shih-tzu who became a star with millions of followers and her own book.She is also the human behind Marnie the Dog (@marniethedog RIP), the iconic senior rescue shih-tzu who became a star with millions of followers and her own book. Prior to Marnie, Shirley was a music television producer who created, produced, and edited the influential indie music video show “New York Noise” on NYC TV from 2003-2009 and “Weird Vibes” for MTV digital from 2011-2013. Shirley has used her platforms to advocate for independent artists, overlooked shelter pets, and social equality, recently speaking up for Palestinian liberation despite her upbringing in a Zionist context.

At this point with the genocide in Gaza now in its 10th month, I can't really see having a conversation with someone where this doesn't get touched on. Shirley and I have had many discussions prior to recording this and I think her growing up with a very Zionist background gives some insight to the bubble these people still continue to live in. We also talk about the apathy with mutual music/artists friends during this Holocaust and the general vapidness of Western culture. Recorded in two segments, on June 14th and June 29th 2024.

Shirley loves to dance and is a proper music head, and she gives us an excellent playlist to listen to as the world burns."  To hear Shirley’s exclusive Stark Reality Playlist of new wave, post and punk-funk and other favorites, go to Episode 70 of Stark Reality on jasoncharles.net Podcast Netowrk, MUSIC Channel, or on STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts.

For all of Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange's in-depth interviews and exclusive guest playlists, subscribe to both 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

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For Episode 67 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls out the tattered red carpet to the East Village to talk to DANIEL EFRAM, a multifaceted NYC-based photographer, journalist, producer, curator, and art publisher focusing on culture and social justice. With a robust background in music, film and TV production, Efram has recently produced projects as "The Elephant 6 Recording Co." doc film (Greenwich Entertainment; 2023) and "The Steve Keene Art Book” (Tractor Beam / Hat & Beard Press; 2023).  Jim and Daniel talk about both those projects quite a bit, getting into some history of Steve Keene's work and his creative process, and how the book came together. Also the doc, with some of the bands associated with the Elephant 6 label, The Apples In Stereo, Olivia Tremor Control etc. And Daniel's own photography, how after managing and working with artists for many years to how he started putting together his own work and photography book. And his recent shots of various protests going around NYC, around migrants and Palestine and the ongoing genocide happening.

Daniel gives us some good insights, and also an excellent playlist of psyche, rock, dub, groove and experimental sounds, featuring tracks from Can, Tinariwen, Butch Cassidy Sound System, Stereolab, Gary Numan and more, available on Episode 68 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS.

For more information about Daniel Efram, go to www.danielefram.com and follow him @danielefram 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

 

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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

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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!

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