STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

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STARK REALITY is a podcast hosted by Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange, a DJ and record collector based in NYC.  Each episode features a longform interview and short mix or playlist not only on music but also progressive/leftist politics.  And whatever really, not looking to define it too much... For more information about Jim Dier aka Small Change go to www.djsmallchange.com

  1. STARK REALITY Episode 79 Guest JULIA POPESCU

    JUL 25

    STARK REALITY Episode 79 Guest JULIA POPESCU

    For Episode 79 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet out to Brooklyn and talks to special guest JULIA POPESCU. She is a multi-disciplinary artist who shows under the moniker and brand Snakes for Hair, her Tarot and candle company. Her work references ‘90s analog media and the occult, with a punk twist. Her spiritual practice is based on magick, manifestation and transformation for all. No one is free until everyone is free. Her site is www.snakesforhair.com and her IG is @snakes4hair $mall ¢hange met Julia once at a Palestine benefit party featuring Palestinian DJs etc about a year and a half ago, closer to the beginning on this ongoing genocide. She knows the time and has traveled to Lebanon multiple times and visited Palestine, which helped shape her awareness on these issues. She has a punk background growing up in the DC area in the '90s and seeing bands like Fugazi every week, doing various mutual aid projects in her youth. After a career in fashion she leaned into her witchy side and started making candles which took off into her own business and her moniker Snakes For Hair. Jim and Julia have a great conversation, talking about the silence of ppl during this genocide, operating an independent business, her own evolution politically, the DC punk scene, '80s/'90s zine culture, etc etc.  Recorded July 9th, 2025. To hear Julia’s exclusive STARK REALITY Playlist of properly noisy and raw punk favorites, featuring Bad Brains, Fugazi, Bikini Kill, The Warmers, Patti Smith Group and much more, go to Episode 80 of STARK REALITY or STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your music 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 uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 32m
  2. STARK REALITY Episode 77 Guest DJ CATO

    JUN 16

    STARK REALITY Episode 77 Guest DJ CATO

    For Episode 77 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet out to Toronto for an in-depth interview with DJ CATO, aka Congri. Cato was born in Germany and moved to the states as a kid. Skateboarding and music were his refuge and he acquired his first set of Technics 1200’s and Realistic mixer when he was a teenager. In the 90s Cato moved to NYC, began DJing at night while working at the fashion clothing store Diesel during the day. As a bi- product of his day job, Cato was afforded numerous trots around the globe. He collected music not commonly found in mainstream America, and subsequently injected those new global sounds into the veins of New York clubs and lounges, where Jim would see him regularly until he moved to LA in 2012.  Cato is a very versatile DJ and has destroyed many dancefloors. If you get a chance go see him DJ and bring your dancing shoes. Jim has reconnected with Cato online in the last few years because he is one of the few music/DJ ppl who has been very vocal on Palestine and in particular this ongoing genocide. He is a busy man with a family, and recently moved to Toronto, but we are thankful he made some time for this interview, recorded May 22nd, 2025. We are super grateful that DJ Cato also took the time to put together a tight set of bumping global sounds, even a pro Palestine Amapiano track.  To hear this exclusive STARK REALITY PLAYLIST, go to Episode 78 on the STARK REALITY Series Page, or on STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS wherever you get your music 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 uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 36m
  3. STARK REALITY Episode 75 Guest NANCY YAHIRO

    MAY 1

    STARK REALITY Episode 75 Guest NANCY YAHIRO

    For this installment of STARK REALITY, Episode 75, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet to Northern Spain to have a chat with selector and 45 digger NANCY YAHIRO. She is a native of Southern California and first started DJing punk and soul at her college’s radio station (KUCI) in 1985. Nancy became increasingly obsessed with soul 45s and started selling duplicates and becoming a record dealer. In 1997 Nancy started the Golden State Soul Society with Cid Hernandez and continued running it with Gabby Beeby until she moved to Italy. In Italy, Nancy started the Rimini Rare Soul Weekender and lived there for 11 years, DJed all over the country. She has also played records in the US, Argentina, UK, Germany, Spain, Sweden, etc etc. Jim first met Nancy as a wee lad in the late 80s in the Southern California Mod/Ska scene, and the last time he saw her in person was in the early 90s digging for records in San Francisco. In recent years he reconnected with her online, and she has been very vocal about the genocide in Gaza, which he gives her a lot of credit for. They talk about the deafening silence from fellow music collectors and DJs on this genocide, media propaganda and whitewashing, the apathy of the world, the heroism of Yemen, the narcissism and ignorance of liberals, etc etc. With the genocide only getting worse after 19 months they are mostly talking about this instead of music. but don't fret, Nancy gives us a slamming playlist of Northern Soul, RnB, Funk, a little Hip Hop too. She has very deep crates as to be expected after digging and DJing for so many years.  Recorded April 25, 2025. To hear Nancy's exclusive Stark Reality Playlist, featuring tracks by Grady Tate, Edwin Starr, Irma Thomas, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Clarence Carter, Gangstarr and much more, go to Episode 76 of Stark Reality on jasoncharles.net Music Channel, or wherever you get your music 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 uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 49m
  4. STARK REALITY Episode 73 Guest EZRA LI EISMONT

    MAR 17

    STARK REALITY Episode 73 Guest EZRA LI EISMONT

    For Episode 74 of Stark Reality, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet out to the Bay Area and welcomes visual artist/DJ/producer EZRA LI EISMONT. Ezra is a multi-disciplinary artist living and working on the Mendocino coast in Northern California, with primary emphasis on painting and sound. Born in North Carolina 1974, he moved with his family to NYC 1977 and was raised there through the 1980s until moving to Oakland, California in 1990.  A graduate of the California College of Arts and Crafts (BFA 1997), he has been an active member of the Bay area art and music communities since the mid Nineties, lending his artistic flavor to many Bay Area music albums and flyer art over the past decades. Ezra is a founding member of the electronic music group Cat Five (1999-2005) and music producer under the name Dj Darkat. He was an active attendee of the Burning Man festival between 1999-2016, including working for the Burning Man Department of Public Works between 2007-2015. From 2009-2022 he broadcast a weekly online radio show called Sound Dimensions broadcast on Spaz.org In this episode we get into Ezra's history in both painting and sound, talk about different projects he's worked on, his 'Zombie' series of paintings, weird records like industrial musicals, collecting and selling records, doing cut up / sample type tracks (and literally cutting up flexidiscs to make collage records), Burning Man, working for them, our issues with the event and its politics, the Ghost Ship fire from some years back, fighting landlords trying to kick you out of your space (which Ezra was involved with for a number of years in Oakland), throwing raves (happenings) back in the day, and what inspires his art. Jim met Ezra way back in 2000 on the playa, he is top ppls and a very talented artist. He was one of the ppl $mall ¢hange was thinking of when he started this podcast a few years back so glad to finally interview him for Stark Reality. Recorded Feb 17th 2025. For more information and links go to www.Ezrali.wordpress.com To hear Ezra’s exclusive STARK REALITY Playlist, the “DJ Darkat Freedom of Speech Mix,” a funky and eclectic set of hip hop, punk, random soundscapes and samples to go along with the interview, go to Episode 74 of STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple or wherever you get your music podcasts, or live & direct on the uptownradio.net Music Channel STARK REALITY series page. don’t forget to subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 24m
  5. STARK REALITY Episode 71 Guest CHRIS BISHOP

    12/13/2024

    STARK REALITY Episode 71 Guest CHRIS BISHOP

    STARK REALITY Host JAMES DIER aka DJ $mall ¢hange is back for Episode 71/72!Aight party ppl another Stark Reality coming your way. This time we don't have to roll the red carpet too far aka downstairs to Jim's neighbor and noted record digger CHRIS BISHOP. He started the 60s music research site GarageHangover.com in 2004, which is a crazy resource on obscure garage rock records and more. In that same year Chris also began deejaying at  the Local Project in LIC, followed by regular gigs at Rififi, the Tainted Lady, Magnetic Field, & Patio Bar and other various spots in NYC. He moved upstate to Hudson in 2011 and had a late night weekly on WGXC and occasional nights at the Half Moon. And is currently trying to hold this criminal administration accountable with actions to support a free Palestine. Recorded just before the election on Oct 28th, 2024. Chris and Jim align a lot on politics and records, they talk about the protests he has been a part of in Hudson and Columbia County. And they get into obscure and sought after records that have been cut and made in the Hudson Valley. The mix he provided as the accompanying set 'Kennett Sound Studio & Hudson Valley mini-mix' showcases some of those records. To hear this exclusive Stark Reality playlist, go to Episode 72 of Stark Reality. 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 Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 14m
  6. STARK REALITY Episode 69 Guest SHIRLEY BRAHA

    08/02/2024

    STARK REALITY Episode 69 Guest SHIRLEY BRAHA

    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 Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 26m
  7. STARK REALITY Episode 67 Guest DANIEL EFRAM

    03/05/2024

    STARK REALITY Episode 67 Guest DANIEL EFRAM

    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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 28m
  8. STARK REALITY Episode 65 Guest DJ COMRADE

    01/03/2024

    STARK REALITY Episode 65 Guest DJ COMRADE

    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.

    1h 50m
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About

STARK REALITY is a podcast hosted by Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange, a DJ and record collector based in NYC.  Each episode features a longform interview and short mix or playlist not only on music but also progressive/leftist politics.  And whatever really, not looking to define it too much... For more information about Jim Dier aka Small Change go to www.djsmallchange.com

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