The Junk and Jam Hour

Musician, Actor, Hostess, Designer and NYC Drag Star (not to mention really bad cook) - Viva Vidalia graces The Junk and Jam Hour with a call-in interview and divulges about the many challenges and rewards that accompany such a unique path to becoming one of NYC’s most sought after, premiere drag queen talents. 

She opens up about her upbringing in the racially segregated Long Island; being afforded the opportunity to study and become a classically trained vocal performer and musician – impressively learning how to play 12 different instruments (we take a guess as to which ones); and finding the humor in the rather unequivocal differences between her and her twin brother. (While they're both still strapping young lads, for this particular interview, the pronouns have respectfully been defaulted to match Viva's stage name and persona.)

Viva also discloses how she was first bitten by the Draq Queen bug, and the incredibly tenacious work and time it has so far taken her to find and craft her very own voice, unique style and image as a Drag Queen performer - holding steadfast to her mantra that, "...You have to find your ugly before you find you’re beautiful." 

Viva talks lovingly about her dear friend and Drag Race designer Florence D’lee, now recovering from a recent hospitalization for Cauda Equina Syndrome - a serious condition that can lead to paralysis - and how their bond over the magic of designing beautiful garments for live, local drag showcases, is one of the ways they continually showcase their dedication to one another.

Ever the artist - Viva gushes about her other upcoming endeavor - officially recording her own original, country music EP.

To find out more about Viva Vidalia, please visit www.instagram.com/vivavidalia

For more info about Radio Free Brooklyn, visit www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com

For everything Junk and Jam, go to www.JunkandJam.com

Background music courtesy of www.FreeBeats.io

Intro music by www.Purple-Planet.com

Multi-Instrumentalist, Singer and Songwriter, Indie Alternative-Pop Artist Emmanuelle Sasson calls in to The Junk and Jam Hour to talk about her impressive musical journey which began at the age of 2 when she picked up her very first guitar, leading her to learn how to also play the bass, drums, ukulele and piano - all by the age of 13.

We also play some of her breathtaking music from her first EP - released straight out of high school - entitled, "smoke&mirrors", including the explicit tracks Mind Full and Note to Self ; songs deeply reflective of a traumatic time in her life where she felt "comfortably broken."

While known as a musical virtuoso - Emmanuelle showcases why she's also a prolific songwriter - as she and Christopher take a deep dive into peeling back the meaning behind some of her most substantive lines.

Emmanuelle speaks freely about the despondently, vulnerable lyrics behind her music - which were mostly produced from a place of grief and anguish. We also play her most recent track, the painfully confessional Away From Me - from her upcoming sophomore effort.

For more about Emmanuelle Sasson, please visit www.emmanuellesasson.com

For more about Radio Free Brooklyn, please visit www.radiofreebrooklyn.com

For everything Junk and Jam, log on to www.junkandjam.com

Background/Bed music provided by www.freebeats.io

The Junk and Jam Hour intro music by www.purple-planet.com

Sculptor, Site-Specific Installation and Multidisciplinary Artist, Designer, Architect, Engineer, Educator and Provocateur - Abigail De Ville - calls in to The Junk and Jam Hour to catch up with Host and fellow High School of Art and Design Alumnus - Christopher Albert - to largely discuss her journey to becoming an artist who unabashedly manufactures, emotive pieces of three-dimensional work, rooted in the stirring themes of the history of racist violence, gentrification, and lost regional history.

Her provocative, site-specific installations are purposefully sourced from objects and materials found from the streets of the surrounding areas of her exhibition sites - with the aim to highlight the stories behind such found objects, and the interconnections between our shared, messy histories.

On topic is the inspiration she gained from her late grandmother, who inadvertently instilled in her a deep appreciation/curiosity for the stories aligned with cast aside items; our everyday fascination with the accumulation of stuff; and the irony of her work - bringing outside debris into pristine, sanitary galleries, hopefully planting the seeds of more divergent, compassionate thoughts in otherwise unaffected art-goers.

She also talks about the processes, challenges and successes of some of her most notable, renowned work, - including Harlem River Blues, No Space Hidden (Shelter), and New Migration - an installation centered on the theme of the Great Migration of African Americans who fled north during the Jim Crow era, attracting some controversial attention.

Despite the seeming weight of these subjects - this informative interview is terrifically fun!

For more info, visit www.Art21.org/Artist/Abigail-Deville/

Originally aired live on Radio Free Brooklyn, www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.org

Also visit www.JunkandJam.com

Background Music by www.FreeBeats.io

New York Native, Contemporary Abstract, Expressionist Artist, Healer, Educator and Author Michelle Sakhai calls in to The Junk and Jam Hour to share her fascinating story of being of Persian and Japanese heritage, being a world-traveler since childhood, her journey as a scholar in the discipline of Fine Arts, to becoming a globally-renowned artist, represented by domestic and international galleries.

On topic is her early music studies as a Violinist, discovering her captivation with plein air painting, and evolving from painting mere landscapes, to becoming a fully-immersed, Transformative Artist.

Michelle explains her progression from using external inspiration - to channeling a range of her own inner-emotions to create the stellar work that she does - and the significance of having the freedom to just create, by letting herself go.

Also on topic is her incredible work as an educator, using art as a means for others to develop their own healing through traumas - for both adults and children - and discussing the need of making more art accessible for the blind and visually impaired.

For more info visit www.MichelleSakhai.com.

Originally aired on Radio Free Brooklyn www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com.

Also visit www.JunkandJam.com.

Background music by www.FreeBeats.io.

Gay Pop/Rock Band & Duo, Fab the Duo - consisting of boyfriend musicians and songwriters Greg Driscoll and Brendan Eprile - offer their insights and musings about their illustrious journey in music, with an engagingly fun, at-home interview with host Christopher Albert.

On topic are some of the ways they have remained creative in quarantine, of which they caught up to watching some cinematic staples, all the while completing the writing of their first musical. They also delve into how they met and decided to collaborate together as more than just a couple; how their music offers messages of hope, unity and open-mindedness; why identifying as gay artists is significant; how they empower those that are often unheard and underrepresented in media; and how they encourage their followers - known as Fabbits - to always "be you, be proud." 

Fab the Duo also share their music, as well as their vision behind the writing, production, lyrics and videos for some of their fabulous hit songs, including "I Want a Man", "American Icon" and "No Prince Charming" Feat. Rapper and Love & Hip-Hop personality MariahLynn.

You can find out more about Fab the Duo, their live-streaming performances and upcoming EP at www.fabtheduo.com.

Find out more about Radio Free Brooklyn - celebrating five years on-air, at www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com.

For everything Junk and Jam, visit www.junkandjam.com.

Background Music provided by Purple-Planet.com and FreeBeats.io.

In this special All Music Hour - host Christopher Albert features the electrifying pop music of Chrissy and The Get Go's, from their self-titled LP.

Singer, Songwriter and Frontwoman of Chrissy & The Get Go’s, Chrissy Blazier also provides some insight to the production of their music, some analysis of their lyrics, her long journey to finding her own voice, her past work with Amy Grant and Wynonna Judd, the gift of being able to collaborate with her husband, and being mentored by Frank Sinatra Jr.

Some of their incredible hit tracks include: Get Go, Mr. Mystery and Maybe Baby.

For More Info Visit:

NashvilleArtistMusic.com

RadioFreeBrooklyn.com

JunkandJam.com

Producer and Host Day Thomas drops in to the Junk and Jam Hour at the Radio Free Brooklyn studio to talk about the exciting third season of his Cable TV Show Kickback N Chill, and the rewards and challenges of producing and executing his own program that specifically highlights the work and stories of artists of all kinds.

Also on topic is Day's educational endeavors, working on his Physical Therapy studies at Brooklyn College, and his work with the non-profit organization “Crossover Project” - where he has graciously lent his time to help meal prep and serve other youths within his community who would otherwise go without a full meal if not for the program.

He also shares his thoughts about the importance of mentorship; the value of time and doing everything with a purpose; being cognizant of how you present yourself to the world and others; and the unfortunate tendency of some to neglect the very people in front of them, in favor of their smart devices.

For More Information, Visit: IG @daythrizzynyc / @kickbacknchillshow / YouTube: Day Thomas / www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com / www.JunkandJam.com

Music by FreeBeats.io

Japanese-American Film and TV Producer and Activist David Okada pays a visit to The Junk and Jam Hour at the Radio Free Brooklyn studio to graciously open up about his upbringing - which of all places began when his very American parents met in a Japanese Internment Camp, at the outset of WWII.

Also on topic is his fascinating early career in computer science and telecommunications, his service in the US Air Force and his journey into becoming a Real Estate salesperson and producer.

David also discusses his activist work with the Japanese American Citizens League, creative endeavors with the Asian American Film Lab, and his collection of art that he acquired with his departed wife who was a professional appraiser, curator, and author. More specifically - he shares a story about a painting of a warrior and mythical creature named Nyue.

Ultimately David shares a message of love, acceptance and embracement of our differences.

For More Info about David Okada, IG @davidokada9751

/www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com

/www.JunkandJam.com

/Music by www.FreeBeats.io

Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist Emil Mella along with Singer, Writer and Keyboardist Stacy Grinberg of NYC Band Dátela Darling - both join Christopher in the Radio Free Brooklyn studio to graciously showcase some of their extraordinary music. Seriously - their live acoustic on-air set is quite beautifully performed!!

On topic are their musical influences, which ranges from everything from classical, to folk, jazz, blues and disco - providing the basis for their eclectically produced and masterfully stunning tunes.

While Emil and Stacy can't quite always pinpoint the inspiration behind their insightful music and lyrics - they do share some of their journey and how the band has evolved for the better.

Their live acoustic set includes: Barabbas / Marilyn Gets a Pass / Hotel Harmony

For more info, visit @dateladarling on FB and IG / www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com / www.JunkandJam.com

Background music provided by www.freebeats.io

Music, film and artist couple and duo BriGuel - consisting of wife and husband Brianne and Miguel - drop into the Junk and Jam Hour with the most exciting surprise to grace the Radio Free Brooklyn Studio - their 6-week-old gift and daughter, Aiyanna. They discuss with host Christopher Albert about their chance meeting at a time when they were both seeking change, growth - and in Miguel's case - a little more faith - before finding themselves embarking hand-in-hand, on more rewarding endeavors. 

Their silky produced bilingual music - influenced by the sounds of pop, hip-hop, R&B and dance, has been heaped with praise, with the premiere music source Hip-Hop Magz, affirming that their music, "deliver[s] messages of non-violence and self-love, while shedding rays of hope in a tortured world.” It is, in fact, BriGuel's mission to make music and content that feels good, imbued with a certain kind of message - of love, acceptance and endowing others.

Listeners are treated to BriGuel's inspiringly polished music, including The Difference - which in conjunction with their upcoming documentary short film by the same name - is an anthem for positivity, motivation, and unity.

BriGuel happily speak of their love as going beyond just their shared feelings for one another - but how it can be an energy of inspiration, kindness or joy upon others. They also talk about their shared responsilibty of rasing a child together, and how they plan to instill and give not just her the tools she will need to succeed in this world - but the many other childrens lives they have so far been blessed to reach with their music.

Whether its through music, film or comedy - BriGuel just want to make the World happier.

For more info, visit www.BriGuel.com / www.RadioFreeBrooklyn.com / www.JunkandJam.com