Bella Isabella Catherine Jhun was a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, dancer, visual artist and aspiring producer, best known as the creative mastermind behind the shoegaze project BelaBela. Jhun’s work explored themes of vulnerability, spirituality, heartbreak and […]
Category: News/Announcements
Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons, Creatives Rebuild New York, Asian Arts Initiative and More
If you’ve been frequenting this site for a while, you’d know that I started this site 16 years ago this month. Yes, seriously, 16 years. That’s a long time to do just about anything, really.
As I’ve said many times here: When I started JOVM, I believed (rightfully) that I probably wouldn’t get a fair shot to do what I’ve done with this site on another outlet. And with even fewer publications out there, this work seems — to me, at least — to be more important than ever.
Music media and the media world generally are incredibly homogeneous spaces. And as a result, the coverage you see as a consumer, reader and fan comes from a remarkably similar perspective, and usually is driven by the same motivations and concerns. Go and look at the editorial staff of your favorite music magazine or website or the news outlet you regularly consume. Then tell me what you see.
When you do see some degree of diversity, it’s usually in an extremely limited fashion, And I guarantee you that it took years of fighting, complaining, cajoling and embarrassment to get one or two folks of color on the editorial staff. Add age and things take a very odd turn.
Speaking of age, about a decade ago, I remember hearing that some well-known site was hiring a new editor. Some folks in the industry were referring to him as old. This editor was around 36. I was about 38. It struck me as being very odd. Since when is 36 old? Hell, at 47, I don’t feel old. My knees and my back occasionally remind me that I’m not as young as I used to be; but still, I’m not old.
With JOVM I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for my myself — and in the media world. But it hasn’t been easy. Last year, I announced that JOVM had to go on a forced, indefinite hiatus. For a significant portion of the year before the hiatus, it had been extremely difficult to keep things going. Right before, the hiatus over a decade of music, arts and culture coverage were lost in the either because I couldn’t afford to pay the various subscriptions and fees that pop up across the month. Thankfully, through a mix of luck and the kind support of a very dear friend, who will remain anonymous upon their request, the hiatus was short-lived.
This site has long a testament to stubborn, determined tenacity and drive. But I’ll be honest here: All work — especially creative work — is impossible without money. We all know the cliched adages that time is money and that effort is money. But guess what? You need money to try to make money! And if you don’t have much money or any money, you find yourself in a vicious cycle centered around how do you get the money. It’s a miserable, stressful way to live, let alone to do anything. Believe me, I would know! That’s been the case with JOVM for the past 17 months.
And over the course of JOVM’s 16 year history, I’ve covered music, art and culture with an eclectic, globally-informed perspective informed by growing up in Corona, Queens — and from my own life.
To that end, I could use your support to keep this site and this work alive.
First, if you’re able to, a donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. Every single penny, every single dollar helps keeps this site going.
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Or Venmo, if that’s more your style: https://venmo.com/u/William-Helms
Much like countless other folks out there, I’ve had a difficult time landing any kind of work in well over a year — this includes freelance work. If you have any leads for full-time, part-time, temporary or even project-based editorial, writing or photography work, please reach out. Work here in the five boroughs of NYC — or remote work would be ideal. So if you follow me on the various social media platforms, you can shoot me a DM. And if you know me IRL, feel free to send a text or an email or something.
The other way you can help is tell your music loving friends, family and associates about this page. Share posts on social. Every eyeball means something.
You can also support my following me on the following platforms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/william_ruben_helms
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/yankee32879 and https://www.twitter.com/joyofviolent
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@william_ruben_helms
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@william_ruben_helms328
There are some folks I need to thank — as I always do — for their support:
- Sash
- Alice Northover
- Bella Fox
- Jenny MacRostie
- Janene Otten
- Melanie Rodriguez
- Kitty
- Megan Marshall
- Velatine
- Modern Ideas
The helpful, hardworking and deeply dedicated folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m humbled and proud to have been included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. Understandably, being included was also deeply vindicating. Someone out there thought my work — this very work! — was worth supporting financially. Obviously, the funds from it have managed to keep this labor of love going during one of the most uncertain periods in recent human history, while lessening some of the normal financial pressures of being an American artist, creator and journalist.
I also found out about Asian Arts Initiative’s Sound Type Workshop through Creatives Rebuild New York. So, I just can’t thank those folks enough. And I’ll forever be in their debt.
I must thank the folks at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia for selecting me for the Sound Type Music Writer Workshop. Being a part of the inaugural cohort was an honor.
I must thank my pal and colleague Adam Bernard for chatting with me about JOVM and the site’s hiatus. You can check out the interview, in which I talk about how important it is to support independent journalists here: https://adambernard.blogspot.com/2025/09/saving-one-mans-movement-convo-with.html
I also have to thank my man John Morrison, Philly’s preeminent music journalist for the support and encouragement when I needed it most.
Last announcement; I’ve been having major email issues over the past week as you may know. My old email has been restored. Please email me at william.ruben.helms@joyofviolentmovement.com. I may be migrating my email in the future and will let everyone know what my plans are for that in the future. I know it’s confusing but tech you know?
I started this site 16 years ago today. That’s a long time to do just about anything, really.
As I’ve said many times here: When I started JOVM, I believed (rightfully) that I probably wouldn’t get a fair shot to do what I’ve done with this site on another outlet. And with even fewer publications out there, this work seems — to me, at least — to be more important than ever.
Music media and the media world generally are incredibly homogeneous spaces. And as a result, the coverage you see as a consumer, reader and fan comes from a remarkably similar perspective, and usually is driven by the same motivations and concerns. Go and look at the editorial staff of your favorite music magazine or website or the news outlet you regularly consume. Then tell me what you see.
When you do see some degree of diversity, it’s usually in an extremely limited fashion, And I guarantee you that it took years of fighting, complaining, cajoling and embarrassment to get one or two folks of color on the editorial staff. Add age and things take a very odd turn.
Speaking of age, about a decade ago, I remember hearing that some well-known site was hiring a new editor. Some folks in the industry were referring to him as old. This editor was around 36. I was about 38. It struck me as being very odd. Since when is 36 old? Hell, at 47, I don’t feel old. My knees and my back occasionally remind me that I’m not as young as I used to be; but still, I’m not old.
With JOVM I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for my myself — and in the media world. But it hasn’t been easy. Last year, I announced that JOVM had to go on a forced, indefinite hiatus. For a significant portion of the year before the hiatus, it had been extremely difficult to keep things going. Right before, the hiatus over a decade of music, arts and culture coverage were lost in the either because I couldn’t afford to pay the various subscriptions and fees that pop up across the month. Thankfully, through a mix of luck and the kind support of a very dear friend, who will remain anonymous upon their request, the hiatus was short-lived.
This site has long a testament to stubborn, determined tenacity and drive. But I’ll be honest here: All work — especially creative work — is impossible without money. We all know the cliched adages that time is money and that effort is money. But guess what? You need money to try to make money! And if you don’t have much money or any money, you find yourself in a vicious cycle centered around how do you get the money. It’s a miserable, stressful way to live, let alone to do anything. Believe me, I would know! That’s been the case with JOVM for the past 17 months.
This site has been fiercely independent and defiantly D.I.Y. And over the course of JOVM’s 16 year history, I’ve covered music, art and culture with an eclectic, globally-informed perspective informed by growing up in Corona, Queens — and from my own life.
To that end, I could use your support to keep this site and this work alive.
First, if you’re able to, a donation of any amount is greatly appreciated. Every single penny, every single dollar helps keeps this site going.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated.
Or Venmo, if that’s more your style: https://venmo.com/u/William-Helms
Much like countless other folks out there, I’ve had a difficult time landing any kind of work in well over a year — this includes freelance work. If you have any leads for full-time, part-time, temporary or even project-based editorial, writing or photography work, please reach out. Work here in the five boroughs of NYC — or remote work would be ideal. So if you follow me on the various social media platforms, you can shoot me a DM. And if you know me IRL, feel free to send a text or an email or something.
The other way you can help is tell your music loving friends, family and associates about this page. Share posts on social. Every eyeball means something.
You can also support my following me on the following platforms:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/william_ruben_helms
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/yankee32879 and https://www.twitter.com/joyofviolent
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@william_ruben_helms
Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@william_ruben_helms328
There are some folks I need to thank — as I always do — for their support:
- Sash
- Alice Northover
- Bella Fox
- Jenny MacRostie
- Janene Otten
- Melanie Rodriguez
- Kitty
- Megan Marshall
- Velatine
- Modern Ideas
The helpful, hardworking and deeply dedicated folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m humbled and proud to have been included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. Understandably, being included was also deeply vindicating. Someone out there thought my work — this very work! — was worth supporting financially. Obviously, the funds from it have managed to keep this labor of love going during one of the most uncertain periods in recent human history, while lessening some of the normal financial pressures of being an American artist, creator and journalist.
I also found out about Asian Arts Initiative’s Sound Type Workshop through Creatives Rebuild New York. So, I just can’t thank those folks enough. And I’ll forever be in their debt.
I must thank the folks at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia for selecting me for the Sound Type Music Writer Workshop. Being a part of the inaugural cohort was an honor.
I must thank my pal and colleague Adam Bernard for chatting with me about JOVM and the site’s hiatus. You can check out the interview, in which I talk about how important it is to support independent journalists here: https://adambernard.blogspot.com/2025/09/saving-one-mans-movement-convo-with.html
I also have to thank my man John Morrison, Philly’s preeminent music journalist for the support and encouragement when I needed it most.
Happy birthday, JOVM! May there be 16 or 20 or 38 more of these!
Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons, Creatives Rebuild New York and Asian Arts Initiative
Last year, I announced that JOVM had to go on a forced, indefinite hiatus. For a significant portion of the year before the hiatus, it was difficult to keep the site going. At one point, over a decade of music, arts and culture coverage were briefly lost in the ether.
As you can imagine, there was a brief period of time in which I had to figure out what I could do and what was next for JOVM — if anything. But thankfully, through a mix of luck and the kind support of a friend, who will remain anonymous upon request, JOVM was able to come back last September, after about a 20-day hiatus give or take.
Of course, along with my anonymous friend, who i’ll thank here; there are a list of folks that I must thank for their support:
The Patreon Patrons, who have supported me through over the course of the past few years:
- Sash
- Alice Northover
- Bella Fox
- Jenny MacRostie
- Janene Otten
Also I have to thank the following for their donations:
- Melanie Rodriguez
- Kitty
- Megan Marshall
- Velatine
- Modern Ideas
I must thank my pal and colleague Adam Bernard for chatting with me about JOVM and the site’s hiatus. You can check out the interview, in which I talk about how important it is to support independent journalists here: https://adambernard.blogspot.com/2025/09/saving-one-mans-movement-convo-with.html
I have to thank the helpful, hardworking and dedicated folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, gratified and humbled to have been included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. Understandably, being included was also deeply vindicating. Someone out there thought my work — this very work! — was worth supporting financially. Obviously, the funds from it have managed to keep this labor of love going during one of the most uncertain periods in recent human history, while lessening some of the normal financial pressures of being an American artist, creator and journalist.
I also found out about Asian Arts Initiative’s Sound Type Workshop through Creatives Rebuild New York. So, I just can’t thank those folks enough. And I’ll forever be in their debt.
I must thank the folks at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia for selecting me for the Sound Type Music Writer Workshop. Being a part of the inaugural cohort was an honor.
I also have to thank my man John Morrison, Philly’s preeminent music journalist for the support and encouragement.
Now, I must remind y’all, that The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you’re willing and able to support more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.
Lastly, I have an important ask of you dear readers, friends and colleagues. I’ve been actively looking for work for a while. The job search can feel dehumanizing but in the past handful of months or so, it has been especially frustrating and deeply annoying.
I’ve spent just under 15 years in book publishing in the editorial departments of three different New York publishing houses — across both trade and academic publishing — as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor.
Over the course of the past two-plus decades, my writing and photography has been published in a lengthy list of publications including Downbeat, Sound Collector Audio Review, Playbill(photography), The Advocate (photography), Out Magazine(photography), Premier Guitar (photography), Consequence, Earmilk (photography), The Inventory, Glide Magazine.com (writing and photography), Publisher’s Weekly, Sheckys.com, Shecky’s Bar and Nightlife Guide, New York Press, Ins&Outs Magazine (photography and writing), Dish Du Jour Magazine, Queens Ledger (writing and photography) Aussie music publication Musicology.xyz (photography) and countless others.
So if anyone has any leads on editorial, communications, writing and or photography jobs — including freelance, contract, project, part-time and full-time, please feel free to contact me.
Music industry folks, if you need someone to write bios for your artists and/or bands — or to take press photos, BTS photos, live concert photos or you’d like to have a tour photographer, please feel free to contact me.
As always, thank you all for your support.
Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons, Creatives Rebuild New York and Asian Arts Intiative
Last year, I announced that JOVM had to go on a forced, indefinite hiatus. For a significant portion of the year before the hiatus, it was difficult to keep the site going. At one point, over a decade of music, arts and culture coverage were briefly lost in the ether.
As you can imagine, there was a brief period of time in which I had to figure out what I could do and what was next for JOVM — if anything. But thankfully, through a mix of luck and the kind support of a friend, who will remain anonymous upon request, JOVM was able to come back last September, after about a 20-day hiatus give or take.
Of course, along with my anonymous friend, who i’ll thank here; there are a list of folks that I must thank for their support:
The Patreon Patrons, who have supported me through over the course of the past few years:
- Sash
- Alice Northover
- Bella Fox
- Jenny MacRostie
- Janene Otten
Also I have to thank the following for their donations:
- Melanie Rodriguez
- Kitty
- Megan Marshall
- Velatine
I must thank my pal and colleague Adam Bernard for chatting with me about JOVM and the site’s hiatus. You can check out the interview, in which I talk about how important it is to support independent journalists here: https://adambernard.blogspot.com/2025/09/saving-one-mans-movement-convo-with.html
I have to thank the helpful, hardworking and dedicated folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, gratified and humbled to have been included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. Understandably, being included was also deeply vindicating. Someone out there thought my work — this very work! — was worth supporting financially. Obviously, the funds from it have managed to keep this labor of love going during one of the most uncertain periods in recent human history, while lessening some of the normal financial pressures of being an American artist, creator and journalist.
I also found out about Asian Arts Initiative’s Sound Type Workshop through Creatives Rebuild New York. So, I just can’t thank those folks enough. And I’ll forever be in their debt.
I must thank the folks at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia for selecting me for the Sound Type Music Writer Workshop. Being a part of the inaugural cohort was an honor.
I also have to thank my man John Morrison, Philly’s preeminent music journalist for the support and encouragement.
Now, I must remind y’all, that The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
Or enter a custom amount
$
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you’re willing and able to support more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Advertisement
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.
Lastly, I have an important ask of you dear readers, friends and colleagues. I’ve been actively looking for work for a while. The job search can feel dehumanizing but in the past handful of months or so, it has been especially frustrating and deeply annoying.
I’ve spent just under 15 years in book publishing in the editorial departments of three different New York publishing houses — across both trade and academic publishing — as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor.
Over the course of the past two-plus decades, my writing and photography has been published in a lengthy list of publications including Downbeat, Sound Collector Audio Review, Playbill(photography), The Advocate (photography), Out Magazine(photography), Premier Guitar (photography), Consequence, Earmilk (photography), The Inventory, Glide Magazine.com (writing and photography), Publisher’s Weekly, Sheckys.com, Shecky’s Bar and Nightlife Guide, New York Press, Ins&Outs Magazine (photography and writing), Dish Du Jour Magazine, Queens Ledger (writing and photography) Aussie music publication Musicology.xyz (photography) and countless others.
So if anyone has any leads on editorial, communications, writing and or photography jobs — including freelance, contract, project, part-time and full-time, please feel free to contact me.
Music industry folks, if you need someone to write bios for your artists and/or bands — or to take press photos, BTS photos, live concert photos or you’d like to have a tour photographer, please feel free to contact me.
As always, thank you all for your support.
