Solidarity Begins at Home w/ Carla & Zach Bergman

In this episode of the solecast I sit down with Carla & Zach Bergman to talk about rethinking the relationship between youth and adults.  Carla is a filmmaker, activist and author of Joyful Militancy and her son Zach is an artist and electronic producer who puts out music under the moniker Sourgout.  This interview talks bout un-schooling, the damage that the western education system does and how adults can do better to foster autonomy.  We talk about the after school youth space they participated in called the Purple Thistle, the importance of community and how addressing the harm done by schooling is critical to any anti-capitalist radical politics or thinking around decolonization.

Many of the themes cover in this conversation can be found in an upcoming anthology Carla is releasing on AK Press tentatively titled Trust Kids.

Music by Sourgout

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Solecast: Veteran Resistance & Confronting Empire w/ Scott Olsen & Graham Clumpner

In this episode of The Solecast I chat with Scott Olsen and Graham Clumpner of About Face (Formerly known as Iraq Veterans Against The War).  Scott and Graham were both involved in Occupy Oakland, Scott is most famously known for almost getting killed when OPD hit him in the head with a bean bag round that was followed by the first general strike in recent US history.  Much of Graham’s work today is based around environmental/climate change struggles. We talk about their experiences in the military and what its going to take to build an anti-war movement in the US.  We discuss the roles veterans can play in radical movements and some ways that active duty military can resist.  We go into some of the history of anti war resistance and discuss what anti-imperialism means in the face of climate change.  

You can follow Scott at @olsenvet

and Graham at @turncoatveteran

Solecast w/ Robert Evans: It's Already Happening Here

Subscribe Here. Support on Patreon.

In this episode I chat with journalist Robert Evans who is the host of the podcasts "It Could Happen Here" and "Behind The Bastards Podcast."  In this interview we talk about how the project came about, the research that went into it and how people responded to it.  Robert discusses how his trips to Iraq & Syria made him realize that a civil war like that is not too far off from the political moment we find ourselves in in the US and how that might look in the US.  He talks about practical skills and practices we can employ in our daily lives to make us more resilient, the importance of mutual aid, armed self defense and DIY skills. We also discuss climate change & economic collapse as additional factors that would play into all of this.  Robert also talks about his upcoming podcast series about Rojava and unveils what Season 2 of It Could Happen Here will be about...

Propaganda By The Seed: Elderberry (Culinary & Medicinal Uses)

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In this episode we talk about Elderberry (Sambucus species) .  Thier most commonly used today today to make a powerful herbal medicine.  We talk about how to identify them for foraging and how to propagate and cultivate Elderberry shrubs.  We discuss Elderberries' use throughout history to make everything from musical instruments to salves. With many uses, ease of cultivation and a native range covering the lower 48 states and most of Canada, Sabucus nigra is a species that will find a place in almost any garden.

This episode is sponsored by Edgewood Nursery, producing unusual edible plants in a regenerative permaculture system in so called Falmouth, Maine. Check out our online storefront at https://edgewood-nursery.com/shop and use the code "SOLECAST" at checkout for 10% off your order.

Solecast: The Impact of Streaming On Independent Music w/ Don Giovanni Records, Liz Pelly & Daddy Kev of Alpha Pup

Solecast Streaming

In this super-long episode of the solecast I'm doing a deep dive into the impacts that streaming and corporate consolidation has had on the music industry.  This is a very long episode, clocking in at almost 3 hours.  Instead of splitting it up into a multi-part episode I wanted everything in one place, so people could treat this as a mini audio documentary, listen while you have time, pause it and return to it. There is a lot of information here that you probably won’t find in audio format.

Hopefully this Megasode format allows you to gain a nuanced and in depth understanding of where the music industry is at, how its gotten to where it is, and how we as artists and listeners can navigate this and still support the shit we love.

First I’m joined by Joe from Don Giovanni Records to talk about how the changes we have seen over the last 20 years have made it increasingly difficult for most independent labels to compete.  Joe gives a history of how this consolidation has impacted independent infrastructure from blogs, to record stores to radio and beyond.  Don Giovanni is an incredible record label, check out their releases at https://www.dongiovannirecords.com/

For Part two I’m just by journalist Liz Pelly to talk about some of the lesser considered aspects of how these algorithms are shaping art itself, its ability to surveil moods and advanced forms of marketing.  Liz also offers a number of ideas for ways people can reclaim power in this shifting landscape.  Check out some of her pieces for the baffler “Big Mood Machine”  or “Stream-bait pop.” 

Then I sit down with my long time friend, collaborator and distribution partner Daddy Kev of Alpha Pup.  Kev is an OG from the LA beat scene and is co-owner of Alpha Pup Distribution.  He is optimistic about how artists can do in the future and offers a number of suggestions for how those who choose to engage in these platforms can think about maximizing their potential to reach supporters.  https://alphapuprecords.com/

Music: True Deceiver Drifts & Floats

Solecast: w/ Dusty Hinz of Experimental Farm Network "Breeding Plant Crops To Survive The 21st Century"

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Dusty Hinz is co-founder of the Experimental Farm Network.  The Experimental Farm Network is an open sourced social platform that allows for people to develop & breed crops, anything from perennial grains to improved varieties and hybrids of popular plants.  They also distribute rare/unique seeds from experimental growers across North America in their store.  In this conversation I talk to Dusty about the formation of the network, and his personal thoughts on civilization and global warming.  Dusty speaks of this decade as “the collapsing 20s,” and much of what they are breeding / distributing is based around resiliency in the face of climate change.  We discuss how we can think about making “back to the land” practices more accessible, creating an “urban to rural pipeline,” and cooperative land trusts.   Dusty also talks about the importance of nut trees / agro forestry and what small scale / localized / bioregional post-civilization food systems could look like.

From their website:

The Experimental Farm Network (EFN) facilitates collaborative plant breeding and sustainable agriculture research in order to fight global climate change, preserve the natural environment, and ensure food security for humanity into the distant future. We believe participatory plant breeding on a massive scale can lead to breakthroughs to help us not only adapt to climate change, but one day actually stabilize the climate.

Founded in 2013, EFN is composed of professional and amateur farmers, gardeners, plant breeders, and researchers. The network's main organizing tool — this open-source website — is free to use and open to all.

The work of revolutionizing our food system to save our planet is generational in scope: it will take generations to undo the damage already done. Let's get moving!

Music Televangel800 Star Constellation”

SOLECAST: w/ Sara Falconer & Daniel McGowan of Certain Days Collective

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In this episode of the solecast we’re talking with Sara Falconer and Daniel McGowan of the Certain Days Collective.  Certain Days puts out a calendar every year that donates its funds to RAPP (Release Aging People in Prison), Addameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association and more.  It’s a collaboration between political prisoners currently locked up and their supporters on the outside(including former political prisoners).  In this interview we talk about the origins of this project, its aims and how it functions.   The calendar itself is beautifully designed and reminds us of important and forgotten moments in history, the life and deaths of revolutionaries, their time in prison, moments of resistance both recent and further in the past, and so much more.  Its a great way to turn each week into a history lesson and link current to past struggles.  

Pick a calendar up here. 

Sara Falconer is from Ontario and has been doing political prisoner support for 18 years and is also involved with 4strugglemag.

Daniel McGowan is from Queens and went to prison for his role in a series of actions related to the Earth Liberation Front. He was featured in the documentary “If a Tree Falls” and is also a Rush fan(R.I.P. Neil Peart).

Plant of the Month : "Stinging Nettle" w/ Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery

Stinging Nettle

In this episode of the Solecast “plant of the month” series we will be talking about Stinging Nettle. While hated by many, Nettles are highly valuable to those that can appreciate their many positive attributes.  Stinging Nettle is an herbaceous perennial that is found all over the world.  They have been used throughout history as a medicine, a food source, for fiber, cordage and ceremonies.  We talk about how they grow, how to propagate them, how to cook with the leaves and some of their other uses.  For some nettle photos checkout the Edgewood Nursery instagram.

This episode is sponsored by Edgewood Nursery, producing unusual edible plants in a regenerative permaculture system in so called Falmouth, Maine. Check out our online storefront and use the code "SOLECAST" at checkout for 10% off your order. While Nettle plants are not available at the time we release this episode, they are available any time the ground isn't frozen at the nursery and can be found at this page.

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Outro Music “Like Weeds” by Yacht Communism (cover of His Hero Is Gone)

Solecast w/ Cindy Milstein : Confronting the Despair of the 21st Century

Cindy Milstein Deciding For Ourselves

For the season 2 premiere of the solecast i sit down with Cindy Milstein to talk about some recent themes they’ve been putting out through various talks and writings over the past year.  Cindy talks about the resurgence of Jewish anarchist organizing in the states and its relation to the upswing of anti-Semitism we have seen in the past few years.  We explore the themes of a panel Cindy did with Aaron Lakoff and Sharmeen Khan at the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair in 2019 entitled “From Another World Is Possible to the Possible End of the World.”  We talk about the despair of these times and how to think about building a foundation in which cultures of resistance can thrive.  Cindy addresses the machismo within radical circles, under representation of marginalized voices within the anarchist podcast world, and the importance of care/mutual aid.  We also address the concept of revolution and scale and why various forms of infrastructure are key to sustaining revolutionary movements.  Cindy also puts a call-out for collaborators for a potential audiozine/podcast project.

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Consider attending The Institute For Advanced Troublemaking this summer in Worcester, MA. Cindy helps to organize it. Apply here.

Be on the look-out for Cindy’s forthcoming anthology on AK Press Deciding For Ourselves  (The Promise Of Direct Democracy)  and check out our preview interview about Rebellious Mourning.

Other texts discussed in this episode:Skin In The Game: How Anti-Semitism Animates White Nationalism
The Anarchy of Colored Girls Assembled In A Riotous Manner
Antifascism Beyond Machismo

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Solecast: Introduction to Arduino & Rasberry PI w/ Otem Rellik

Otem Rellik

Here's a different kind of podcast about how to build DIY electronics with my good friend Otem Rellik. Otem Rellik is a rapper, producer and self taught builder of incredible electronics based out of Denver. In this podcast we'll talk about the basic concepts of building DIY electronics using Arduino, Rasberry PI, MobmuPlat and Pure Data. Check him out on instagram, youtube and bandcamp

Solecast: A Conversation About Desert w/ Alfredo of Occupied Southwest Distro

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This is a good conversation to have at the end of a strange year. For this episode I am joined by Alfredo of Occupied Southwest Distro to have a wide ranging conversation picking up on the themes in the book Desert. Desert is an anonymously written book which offers a sober assessment of our current material conditions and urges us to toss out-dated thinking aside. In light of the challenges and time tables put on us by climate change what are the revolutionary prospects? What does it mean to be an anarchist or revolutionary in the anthropocene? The book offers a number of ways to analyze the situation and our practices, we talk about how its informed our thinking as long term organizers and informed our current efforts.

You can read/download Desert for free here.

New Series!!! Plant Of The Month Podcast w/ Aaron Parker. Our First Plant: Turkish Rocket

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Psyched to unveil “Plant of the Month…” A new podcast series w/ Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery focusing on perennial vegetables / unusual plants. For our first episode we’re gonna talk about Bunias Orientalis aka Turkish Rocket. Turkish Rocket is a perennial vegetable often used in forest gardens that produces small edible broccoli raab like flower buds and arugula/cabbage tasting leaves. Aaron sells viable seeds here.

We also discuss Actinidia polygama aka “Silvervine Kiwi” which can also be purchased direct from Edgewood Nursery here.

SOLECAST W/ TELEVANGEL ON ANTHROPOCENE BLUES EMERGENCY HEART AND WE DREAM OF DRONES

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Today on the Solecast I'm interview Televangel formerly of Blue Sky Black Death.  Televangel is a beatmaker/composer from Oakland currently residing in Portland, Oregon.  Unlike most artists I bring on the Solecast to talk about their work and their politics, Televangel does it with his instrumental music, not vocals.

 In this interview we discuss the origins of his project and the general concept behind it.  We also talk about the themes he explores in his work; drone warfare, the anthrocene, crisis & mutual aid.  He also discusses his path to radical politics and how the internet can be a critical tool for political education.    

Televangel's new album Emergency Hearts is available on bandcamp and spotify.

Report Back From Abolish Ice Actions In Denver w/ James Rotten of Denver Communists

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In this episode of the solecast i sit down with my homey James Rotten of Denver Communists. In this conversation we are mostly discussing “Confront La Migra” and the organizing that lead to a 200+ Abolish Ice house demo at the home of the warden of the Aurora Ice Concentration Camp. We talk about some strategic and controversial/experimental decisions that were made, that lead to this escalation in tactics and a successful action. We also discuss the media backlash, navigating liberalism and turning right wing attempts to spread misinformation into fodder for movement building.

James is someone I worked with and hung out with a lot in Denver so this conversation is a nice mix of shit talk and analysis of the complex organizing dynamics in that area. We also talk about the dissolution of the Denver ISO and the national organization in general. James is someone whose approach to mass organizing has always inspired me and I’m happy to share his thoughts here . Long live (so called) Denver and all the comrades fighting back against ICE!

SOLECAST: W/ STEPHEN POLK On Food Justice, Permaculture, and Global Urban Strategy

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Today on The Solecast I speak with activist, author and asst professor at Naropa University, Stephen Polk.   In this conversation we'll discuss his contribution to the book Globalism and Localization: Emergent Solutions to Ecological and Social Crises.  Stephen talks about global warming and the need for permaculturists to inform the large scale changes that will need to be made in cities to mitigate its effects.  Stephen wants people to think hard about what "power" means, "how do we get it, how do we exercise it, what do we do with it?  He also writes about the need for all permaculture designs to consider the political domain to their work, to always ensure front-line communities maintain access to food and the city, to design in ways that don't aid gentrification. He also talks about his anti gentrification work, his involvement in the Queen City Housing Coop and the possibilities of using Neighborhood Associations to influence outcomes.   We cover a lot of ground in this interview and a number of other topics connected to these issues.

This is a provocative interview and very timely, pick up the book Globalism and Localization: Emergent Solutions to Ecological and Social Crises. here.

W/ Eamon Farrelly on The Radical People Podcast

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In this Solecast I sit down with Eamon from the Radical People Podcast.  The Radical People Podcast does in depth interviews about direct action campaigns and the individuals behind them.   He gets deep into the life stories of people and what brings them to radical politics, and radical action.  His interviews range from fighters in Rojava, water & land defense, international abortion providers at sea and much more.  We talk about his work, his personal story and political evolution and his current life as an anarcho-podcaster, living that farm life.  

You can subscribe to his podcast here, support him on patreon and follow him on twitter.

w/ DJ Pain 1 on No God Nor Country

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A talk between myself and DJ Pain 1 about our new album that we are crowdsourcing for called No God Nor Country. In this conversation we talk about our creative process, some of the things we’ve learned from our travels; the best of times and the worst of times. We talk about food, advice for people trying to be self sufficient and what’s been on in our lives ately. Much of the talk is about the motivations, inspirations and approaches we took to creating this new album. In this episode we preview 2 new songs, one is an unreleased track that didn’t make the cut called “Everything Must Go” and the other is “Extremist.” To help us get it out, pre-order it now via kickstarter.

Food Autonomy w/ Evan Doukas: How To Build A Climate Battery Greenhouse

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In today’s episode i will be doing an in-depth “how to” episode with my homey Evan Doukas from Colorado.  Evan is a preacher, a permaculturist, a father, a musician and also publishes homesteading/permaculture videos through his youtube channel, The Colorado Garden.  In this episode Evan breaks down how to build a “Climate Battery Greenhouse” step-by-step.  A climate battery greenhouse uses the heat from the earth to grow fruits and veggies from tropical & Mediterranean regions in temperate climates.  For more information check out Evan’s youtube page documenting his work with his.  For more background info on these check out this prior Solecast with Stephanie Syson from Colorado Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute.  


Evan was kind enough to pass on his notes that he used to source for specific materials and data for building his greenhouse. We’ll include them here so you can check them out, and hopefully they will be of use to you as well:

My greenhouse is approx 14'x11'x9'

=1386 ft3 (cu ft)

Using the formulas given by Sunny John, i estimated that I needed approx 225 linear ft of subterranean tubing.

So, take 15-20 percent of the cu ft number, and that is how many feet of tubing you ideally want underground.

*Note, all tubing lengths used should be equal in length to ensure an even amount of airflow..

In my greenhouse there is an approximate total of (only) 120 linear ft of tubing.

The tubing is in 3 flat rows of 4 10-ft lengths that are spaced approximately 12 inches apart on all sides.

In regards to air movement, you want to move a minimum of 128 cubic feet per minute (CFM) with my 1386 ft3 greenhouse.      

So, take approx. 10 percent (or a little less) of the cu ft number, and that is the CFM fan you want to use.

The fan I used is an (8”) corded in-line air duct booster fan by Suncourt with a Suncourt variable speed controller ($45) ($30)

I used 8” galvanized ductwork ($50)

For plenums I used taped buckets, but I did it again for a similar room I would use 55-gallon plastic drums on either end. (free to $150)

2 Thermostats (1 for low temperature threshold and 1 for high temperature threshold), used something like: “JOHNSON CONTROLS

Line Volt Mechanical Tstat for Heating and Cooling, 120 to 277VAC” (cheaper then but now $210 for 2)

Roofing top layer: Used 9 Sequentia Super 600 Residential Fiberglass Panels ($325)

For underground tubing: 4” corrugated and perforated ADS pipe ($150 for 200 linear ft)

*Drain sleeve optional – did not use

(WHOLE GREENHOUSE WAS BUILT FOR APPROX $875 + Lumber = No more than $2K total)

(SUBTERRANEAN HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS BUILT FOR APPROX $700)


Subterranean heating items:

8” (x 60”) duct - http://www.lowes.com/pd_82361-85334-GVL0023_0__?productId=3135349&Ntt=8-in+galvanized+duct&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D8-in%2Bgalvanized%2Bduct&facetInfo=

And a 24” for a little added height if needed - http://www.lowes.com/pd_36398-85334-GV1336_0__?productId=3134339&Ntt=imperial+8-in+duct&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dimperial%2B8-in%2Bduct&facetInfo=

8” elbow/end - http://www.lowes.com/pd_607437-85334-GVL0280_0__?productId=50260707&Ntt=8-in+galvanized+duct&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D8-in%2Bgalvanized%2Bduct&facetInfo=

8” inline fan - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suncourt-Corded-8-in-In-Line-Duct-Fan-DB208-CRD/203227165

Variable speed controller for fan - http://www.smarthome.com/suncourt-vs200-plug-in-variable-speed-fan-controller.html

ADS Pipe (Lowe’s cheapest – 100ft):

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13982-124-03010100_0__?productId=50163571&Ntt=3-in+drain+pipe&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D3-in%2Bdrain%2Bpipe&facetInfo=

ADS connectors:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_64584-124-0315AA_0__?productId=3515576&Ntt=3-in+drain+pipe&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D3-in%2Bdrain%2Bpipe&facetInfo=

Snap-in ends to screen?: SHOULDN’T NEED

http://www.lowes.com/pd_253248-138-435644_0__?productId=50315099&Ntt=3-in+drain+pipe&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D3-in%2Bdrain%2Bpipe&facetInfo=

Drain sleeve (100ft):SHOULDN’T NEED

http://www.lowes.com/pd_561148-71461-34131-6_0__?productId=50160573&Ntt=drain+sleeve&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Ddrain%2Bsleeve&facetInfo=

Possible solutions for thermostat: (call them) http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/controls.shtml

Sunny John recommends this (don’t know how it works): http://www.grainger.com/product/JOHNSON-CONTROLS-Line-Volt-Mechanical-Tstat-4E047

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Suncourt-Ductstat-Plug-In-Thermostat-Temperature-Sensitive-Switch-DS100/100028788

Steel 55 gallon drums (Lafayette - $10 ea):

http://www.containerreclaimer.com/Steel%20Drums.html

and

http://www.coloradotankandbarrel.com/ *****

Mathematics of layout:

Approx 225 linear ft of tubing

Approx 128 minimum CFM fan

Excellent greenhouses

http://www.growingspaces.com/

A great example showing a clever design with reflective panels concentrating the winter sunlight into an above ground pond to heat the greenhouse at night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPWgNrLSEWA

and more from the same manuf., as well as solar “central air” system:

http://geodesic-greenhouse-kits.com/greenhouse_design.php

CO supplier of Lexan and acrylic

http://www.coloradoplastics.com/blog-0/bid/42625/Polycarbonate-Lexan-vs-Acrylic-Lucite

Underground greenhouse and heating

http://www.farmshow.com/view_articles.php?a_id=1479

http://www.altenergymag.com/emagazine.php?issue_number=03.08.01&article=finch

The good heavy duty corrugated fiberglass panels are Super 600. Eplastics.com and others

Solar cooling and heating system, everything needed $3,450:

http://sunshineworks.com/solar-air-conditioning.htm

Corrugated (Perforated) irrigation tube

Christmas lights (i.e. 25 Bulb C9 Incandescent Transparent Light Set – Clear)

Tubular heaters? Find out wattage

Lean to recycled greenhouse with outline of process:

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/greenhouse-for-less-than-100/

Subterranean Heating:

http://www.sunnyjohn.com/indexpages/shcs.htm

Barrels

http://www.sunnyjohn.com/photos/greenhouses/grnhs_woodland_gardens/articles/wgg_blower.pdf

Profile

http://www.sunnyjohn.com/photos/greenhouses/grnhs_woodland_gardens/articles/wgg_profile.pdf

Overhead plans

http://www.sunnyjohn.com/photos/greenhouses/grnhs_woodland_gardens/articles/wgg_uact.pdf

Calculated that 112 cfm or a little over 100 cfm is needed. Verify again before purchasing fan but here is link for appropriately powered fans:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1600&bih=742&tbm=shop&q=105+cfm+blower+&oq=105+cfm+blower+&gs_l=serp.3...287335.287671.0.289128.2.2.0.0.0.0.52.97.2.2.0....0...1c.1.53.serp..2.0.0.G8Xo3a2bYac

Pipe:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_13982-124-03010100_0__?productId=50163571&Ntt=ads+pipe+perforated&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dads%2Bpipe%2Bperforated&facetInfo=

http://www.lowes.com/pd_64571-124-03040010_0__?productId=50163609&Ntt=ads+pipe+perforated&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dads%2Bpipe%2Bperforated&facetInfo=