Overview of 918. - Chris & Jason
In this episode of How Long Gone, hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart trade stories and cultural takes while on the road (Chris from St. Moritz). The conversation mixes travel anecdotes, nightlife and karaoke etiquette, scent/soap recommendations, and a wide-ranging round-up of current pop-culture items — Jack Harlow’s neo-soul pivot, Harry Styles, the “manosphere”/streaming influencers, Oscars gossip, celebrity pap shots, and festival news — interspersed with sponsor reads and event plugs.
Key topics discussed
St. Moritz trip, nightlife and vibes
- Chris is in St. Moritz (Kulm Hotel), describes Alpine luxury, Maserati rides, and a private-ish scene populated by ski-goers and members-only clubs.
- They toured designer Rolf Sachs’s house (memorable kitchen and a 25-foot glass dining table) and visited the members’ club “Dracula’s” — described as a decadent, old-school European members club where partying rules over deal-making.
- Karaoke etiquette: stick to crowd-pleasers, know when to do hits vs. show-stopping numbers, and the idea of an “eject” button for truly bad performances.
Perfume / home-scent anecdote
- Carolyn bought a hand soap (Frédéric Malle — Antarena) that Chris jokes “smells like Chris Black.” Notes cited: lavender, geranium, cinnamon, sandalwood. Chris also mentions using Frédéric Malle’s Uncut Jam and the high price tag on some scents.
Jack Harlow’s neo-soul album and online reaction
- Discussion of the Twitter-driven renaming joke-mania (e.g., “D’Anglo,” “Neo-Nazi” — the latter was viewed as too extreme).
- Hosts debate whether Harlow’s change is respectful homage vs. appropriation; they applaud artistic risk while noting pitfalls and public perception. Conversation about how presentation/wardrobe (e.g., niche brands) feeds the discourse.
Harry Styles / pop music “tweener” problem
- They discuss Harry Styles’s new album as “tweener” — trying to please multiple audiences, ending up polished but not edgy.
- Commentary on mainstream pop tendencies: safer, stadium-friendly sound that prioritizes broad appeal over sharp artistic risk.
Manosphere, streaming culture, and influencers
- Discussion of the Louis Theroux manosphere doc and figures like Sneeko and Andrew Tate; point that charisma + unfiltered messaging fuels their growth.
- Observations: the manosphere channels young males, thrives on fighting/winning rhetoric, and benefits from platform fragmentation (harder to keep them in mainstream view).
- Streaming economy: incredulity about the huge earnings of top streamers (e.g., iShowSpeed/Kai) and questions about taste, longevity, and what content gets rewarded.
Oscars / Hollywood smear tactics
- Conversation about reported smear-style resurfacing of old comments (Timothée Chalamet’s past remarks) and the effects of last-minute controversies on awards seasons — compared to prior celebrity smear campaigns.
- General skepticism about how quickly cultural narratives flip once promotional cycles move on.
Sinners / From Dusk Till Dawn comparison and IP fatigue
- They note conversations about how new films/TV can feel derivative (Sinners accused of echoing From Dusk Till Dawn).
- Broader view: original ideas are harder to sustain; much of entertainment is reworking existing tropes.
Celebrity pap shots & social optics
- Reaction to viral celebrity photos: Bow Wow’s recent portrait and his apparent trolling; Hudson/Williams-style papped exit shots that read as depressing rather than glamorous.
- Discussion of manufactured paps (autograph plants) and the market for autograph merch.
Festival and DJ life
- Tease: Just Like Heaven festival lineup announcement coming (Chris hints it’s a strong, curated lineup and will be Aug 22).
- Chris mentions upcoming DJ dates, the feel of old-school nights (dinner → club), and shifts in DJ culture (celeb DJs/paid appearances vs. craft).
Notable quotes / takeaways
- “Karaoke should have an eject button.” — On preserving the crowd’s experience.
- On appropriation vs. homage: “He’s wading out into uncharted waters… that ledge gets slippery.” — On Jack Harlow’s stylistic pivot.
- On streaming mania: astonishment that some streamers can make enormous sums quickly, reshaping what “fame” looks like.
- On pop formula: rounding edges to please everyone yields something that “no one hates, but no one loves.”
Sponsors & recommendations mentioned
- Dart Collective — boutique/artist DJs for weddings and events (michael@dart-collective.com). Recommended for less cheesy, musician-forward event music.
- BetterHelp — online therapy platform (BetterHelp.com). Hosts mention International Women’s Day and therapy value; promo referenced in read.
- ShipStation — fulfillment platform (ShipStation.com). Code HOWLONG for 60 days free trial.
- Frédéric Malle — scent recommendations: Antarena (hand soap) and Uncut Jam.
- The Run Thru with Vogue — podcast plug.
- Nordstrom Rack and Athletic Brewing Company — standard sponsor reads.
Action items / useful links
- Dart Collective: dart-collective.com (ask for Michael via the email mentioned).
- ShipStation trial: ShipStation.com, code HOWLONG (60 days free).
- BetterHelp: BetterHelp.com (promo mentioned during read).
- Festival note: Just Like Heaven — lineup announcement teased; date mentioned: August 22.
This episode is conversational and wide-ranging — good if you want quick cultural takes on music, streaming, celebrity optics, festival life, and some entertaining travel and nightlife anecdotes.