Why do we look away when our idols fall?

Music journalism is often mistaken for pure PR. Aida Baghernejad calls for a return to critical observation. In this episode, she discusses the challenge of maintaining professional distance, the importance of identifying systemic patterns rather than just individual scandals, and the societal responsibility of investigative cultural journalism.

This episode provides the theoretical framework for the article “Jim DeRogatis: Bringing R. Kelly to justice” by Tshepo Mokoena, which highlights the decades-long investigation into one of the most powerful figures in pop music.

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What does a room sound like before a single note is even played?

Chris Schneider and Slavic Livins, producer and engineer at Pressure Point Recording Studios, dive deep into the world of analog recording. They speak about the DNA of a sound, the unique bond of trust between artist and producer, and why physical recording spaces remain irreplaceable in an increasingly digital world. An episode about the intimacy of the recording process and the magic of capturing an authentic performance.

This episode corresponds with the conversation with Ingo Kraus about “Red Light Fever” and the legacy of the Conny Plank Studios in the current CHART Magazine.

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Get the magazine here: https://clouds-hill-euro.myshopify.com/products/chart-magazine-4th-edition-cld

There are places where music is life-threatening. And that is exactly where it becomes vital for survival.

Aeham Ahmad became known to the world as the “The Pianist of Yarmouk” when he pushed his piano into the ruins of the Syrian streets. In this episode, he tells his story. Unfiltered and deeply personal. Aeham takes us back to the political climate of Damascus and shares his motivation to play despite the imminent danger. A reflection on the concrete role art plays in political resistance today.

This episode serves as the emotional companion to the article “Gasping for Air, Dancing for Freedom” by Aida Baghernejad in the current issue of CHART Magazine.

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Who controls the access to the stage, and why do systemic issues often go unheard?

In this episode of CHART – The Audio Notes, Celina Spanier analyzes the deep-rooted power structures of the music industry. As the founder of bettersweet management, she focuses specifically on FLINTA acts, filling a vital gap in the business. Celina discusses informal gatekeeping, the systemic causes of inequality, and why we need new standards for awareness and structural accountability to create lasting change.

This episode serves as a structural companion to Charlotte Brandi’s article “The Time of our Lives” in our current issue, which documents the lived experiences of women in bands across generations.

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Get the magazine here: https://clouds-hill-euro.myshopify.com/products/chart-magazine-4th-edition-cld

CHART – The Audio Notes is the sonic extension of CHART Magazine. This four-part series moves beyond the headlines to explore the systemic, political, and creative forces shaping today’s music culture.

In each episode, we step away from the classic interview format to offer a curated space for a single, personal perspective. These are "audio notes" on the industry’s most pressing dialogues. From the urgent need for equitable structures and the dismantling of power imbalances, to the profound role of music as an act of political resistance in times of conflict. The series further reflects on the sanctuary of the creative process and the journalistic courage required to navigate the complex truths of our cultural landscape.

Deeply linked to the editorial vision of the magazine, this podcast provides a platform for voices that challenge the status quo and celebrate the craft of music in all its complexity.

Tune in. This is CHART.

Get the magazine here: https://clouds-hill-euro.myshopify.com/products/chart-magazine-4th-edition-cld

Created in cooperation with Popakademie Baden-Württemberg and Julian Brandt, Sophia Walter, and Marc Koch. Sound design by Henri Koch.