Category: News/Announcements

World Music by William Ruben Helms

BLEUFEU is a Québec City-based event organizer and show promoter that presents festive and inspiring events, including the Festival d’été de Québec (FEQ), Toboggan — New Year’s Eve Celebrations and St-Roch XP, as well as hundreds of shows throughout the year at Impérial Bell and a new venue, which will be opening soon.

The BLEUFEU team recently announced the lineup for this year’s Toboggan — New Year’s Eve Celebrations, presented by SiriusXM. Held in the Grande Allée District, in the heart of the gorgeous and historic provincial capital, this year’s edition will take place between December 28, 2023 – December 31, 2023.

2023’s Toboggan gains a new election with the addition of a new stage at Place George V, the SiriusXM Cube, which will host festive electronic music nights between December 28, 2023 – December 30, 2023. The SiriusXM Cube is a must-faced stage that will allow attendees to see that stage’s performances from three sides, starting each day at 5:00pm.

December 28, 2023 will see Canadian duo Loud Luxury headlining, returning after headlining back in 2019. Montréal-based sensation GLOWZI and Québec-based DJ Derrick will complete the SiriusXM Cube’s first night.

December 29, 2023 will see French multi-platinum selling artist DJ Klingande, who has been a mainstay at the world’s major EDM festivals headlining. Montréal-born, Franco-Congolese, Afro House artist DJ Karaba and rising artist Millimetrik will complete the SiriusXM Cube’s second night.

December 30, 2023 will see Montréal-based electronic music pioneer High Klassified capping off the SiriusXM Cube’s final night.

The traditional New Year’s Eve show, which will take place at Place de l’Assemblée-Nationale between 8:00pm-12:30am will be headlined by Italian Grammy-nominated production outfit Meduza will bring in 2024 with a euphoric EDM set. Québecois artist La Diable à Cinq, Les Louanges and Mike Demero will complete the night’s wild party.

On-site, visitors can also enjoy the Winter Village, which will feature heated areas under tents and relaxation spaces to enhance the experience, starting at 1:00PM each day. (Believe me, from what I understand, those heated areas will be prime real estate for an outdoor festival in Québec in late December!)
And this is all 100% free for visitors to enjoy, making Toboggan a great destination to celebrate the last days of 2023.

“New Year’s celebrations hold a special place in the hearts of the people of Quebec. We are very pleased to offer these four festive evenings free of charge to the entire population in the heart of our beautiful city,” BLEUFEU’s CEO Nicolas Racine says.  “With each new edition, we aim to establish Toboggan as a must-attend event and showcase the potential of Quebec as the ultimate Nordic destination,” he adds.

“We are excited about the new stage at Place George V. It was high time to equip the event with a stage setup and production worthy of the EDM festival it has become. Performances by artists such as Loud Luxury or Klingande will take on a whole new dimension,” explains Louis Bellavance, VP Content and Artistic Direction at BLEUFEU.

Lastly, as a festival, Toboggan is environmentally conscious and seeks to reduce its ecological footprint. Among their many actions taken, the festival will soon be carbon-neutral, with the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the event being offset through Planetair. They also produce sustainable mobility through its communication campaigns, Additionally, the festival will warm attendees in an environmentally conscious fashion, by using eco-friendly logs in its outdoor fireplaces.

The festival also has come up with a Good Festivalgoer Guide, which is available on their homepage, and offers festival goers a series of green actions that they can do to minimize the ecological impact of their visit.


News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons and Creatives Rebuild New York

As y’all are well aware, I started this site over 13 years ago. 13 years of just about anything is a very long time. It’s roughly about a quarter of my life. And in the blogosphere that’s somewhere between 10-139 lifetimes. How have I managed to keep doing this — for so damn long? Well lately, I don’t know. But generally, I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do here with JOVM, elsewhere. 

I’ve long felt a strong need to create something similar to the the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites. When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened. 

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. As long as JOVM exists, you’re going to get eclectic and diverse music coverage from my perspective. 

What will year 14 hold for JOVM? I don’t know. But I still have hope of what it’ll be like. And with your support, I can keep this thing going. I’ve said this many times both through this site and my social media feeds: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. Time, after all can cost you money. Effort is money. And it costs money to actually do the work. Unsurprisingly, the work that makes this site possible and its infrastructure would be impossible without money. 

So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

  • Sash
  • Alice Northover
  • Bella Fox
  • Jenny MacRostie
  • Janene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing. 

So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved, gratified and humbled to have been included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. And most important, it was vindicating. Someone out there thought my work — this work! — was worth supporting financially. Obviously, the funds from it has kept this labor of love going while lessening some of the normal financial pressures. Frankly, I haven’t been able to thank them enough. But I’m very grateful.

If you’re interested and are willing and able, there are other ways you can support this site and my work: You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

You can also support my following me on the following platforms:

You can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.

I’m an Eargasm Earplugs Earinflunecer. Buy a pair, protect your hearing and save 10% by clicking on this code: https://lnkd.in/ewX8ezKZ. I do get a percentage of each sale from that discount code.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

Co-founded back in 2018 by three New York music industry vets and longtime friends, former Lorimer Beacon founder and head Mike Bell, Kanine Records‘ founder and label head Lio Kanine and Kepler Events‘ and Dedstrange Records co-founder Steven Matrick, The New Colossus Festival over the course of the past couple of years has featured several hundred handpicked, emerging indie bands and artists from Canada, the UK, the European Union, Singapore, Hong Kong and of course, the US. 

Since its founding, the festival has quickly established itself as the first stop in New York and in the US for a growing number of emerging and buzz worthy for a growing number of emerging and buzz worthy international artists. Notable festival alumni include a number of JOVM mainstays including GIFT, Penelope Isles, The Orielles, Thus Love, as well as Pom Poko, Pom Pom Squad, Sid Simons, Sobs, Water From Your Eyes, Peel Dream Magazine, Kiwi Jr., and a growing list of others.

The festival’s fifth — er fourth? — edition will take place March 6, 2024 – March 10, 2024 in some of the Lower East Side’s best and renowned independent venues including Mercury Lounge, Berlin Under A, Arlene’s Grocery, Bowery Ballroom, The Bowery Electric, Heaven Can Wait, Pianos, and more.   The festival’s organizers announced the first wave of artists that will be playing at next year’s festival, a highly curated collection of artists and bands from across the world — and the first wave bands and artists are below, along with a playlist featuring songs from those artists:

AY WING & CHUUWEE (DE/CH/US)

Bells Larsen (CA)

Bruiser and Bicycle (US)

Canned Pineapple (UK)

CHAII (NZ)

Chavez Cartel (AU)

church crush (US)CLT DRP (UK)

Coral Moons (US)

Crows (UK)Crystal Canyon (US)

Cucamaras (UK)

Data Animal (DE)

DD Island (US)

Diary (US)

Dirty Sound Magnet (CH)

Durian Silo (US)

DYE CRAP (FR)

Factual Brains (US)

Family Jools (UK)

flirting. (UK)

Flowers for the Dead (US)

FRANKIIE (CA)

Getdown Services (UK)

Head North (US)

Heffner (US)

Hiding Places (US)

Holiday Ghosts (UK)

Hollows (UK)

HUGMYND (UK)

Housewife (CA)

Human Colonies (IT)

Iceblynk (US)

Idle Hours (UK)

iskwē (CA)

Jelly Kelly (US)

Keep (US)

King Bug (US)

Kingfisher (SE)

KT Laine (CA)

Langkamer (UK)

Last Waltzon (CA)

Lavender Blush (US)

Los Premios (ES)

Love Language (CA)

Loveseat Pete (US)

Loviet (CA)

LOW-RES (SE)

Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys (DE)

Luge (CA)

Moon Walker (US)

Nara’s Room (US)

Niño Disco (US) 

NOBRO (CA)

Oceans (AU)

Orange Doors (US)

Orchestra Gold (US)

OSKA (AT)

Palomino Blond (US)

PANIK FLOWER (US)

Petite League (US)

P.H.0 (US)

Phantom Handshakes (US)

Phantom Signals (US)

Phantom Wave (US)

Prewn (US)

Programmique (US)

Radio Trapani (IT/NL)

Raue (US)

Retrofile (CA)

Rip Pop Mutant (CA)

Roost.World (US)

Rosier (CA)

Ruby Tingle (UK)

Saloon Dion (UK)

Sasha Cay (CA)

Scrounge (UK)

Sham Family (CA)

Shelf Lives (UK)

Shunk (CA)

Silent Mass (US)

Silver Liz (US)

Slash Need (CA)

Spyres (UK)

Starcleaner Reunion (US)

Strawberry Launch (US)

Subsonic Eye (SG)

Sugar For The Pill (GR)

Sun Entire (CA)

sunnsetter (CA)

Swutscher (DE)

Talking to Shadows (US)

Teddy Hunter (UK)

Telula (US)

The Band Cope (US)

The National Honor Society (US)

The Tazers (ZA)

The Wesleys (CA)

Two-Man Giant Squid (US)

Ugly (UK)

Uninvited (UK)

Venus Grrrls (UK)

Vox Rea (CA)

WAN (PE)

Winona Forever (CA) 

MORE TBA!

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: Partisan Records to Release Idris Elba-Curated Sixth Box Set Reissue Compilation of Fela Kuti and Shares Funky “Stalemate”

Fela Kuti (1938-1997) was a pioneering Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer and an eccentric, political radical, outlaw and originator of Afrobeat, whose musical and sociopolitical legacy spans decades and genres — with his work drawing from jazz, pop, rock, funk, soul, traditional Yoruba and Igbo music and Nigerian highlife among others.

While Kuti is a beloved icon in his native Nigeria, he didn’t receive much international attention during his lifetime. However, over the past 10-15 years, there has been a broad resurgence in his popularity and a critical re-evaluation of his life, music and influence.

Back in 2008, the Jay-Z and Will Smith co-produced biographical musical Fela! was a surprise hit off-Broadway and then later on Broadway. Since then, Beyoncé performed Fela’s “Zombie” at Coachella, he has been referred to as influencer by a diverse array of artists from Paul McCartney to Questlove and his work has been sampled by Missy Elliot, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Nas and more. And Vice President Kamala Harris has even used Kuti’s music at her and President Joe Biden’s first joint public event together.

Partisan Records recently announced Box Set #6, the latest installment in an ongoing series of expansive box set reissues of Fela Kuti’s beloved, expansive and influential back catalog. Following on from previous editions curated by Chris Martin, Erykah Badu, Ginger Baker, Brian Eno and Questlove, the sixth edition is curated by actor, producer, DJ, rapper and vocalist Idris Elba, a.k.a. Big Driis, and features 1972’s Open & Close, 1980’s Music of Many Colours, 1977’s Stalemate, 1977’s I Go Shout Plenty!!, 1983’s Live in Amsterdam and 1977’s Opposite People.

Limited to 5,000 copies, the set features artwork for each album meticulously recreated from the original vinyl pressings, alongside vintage vinyl label artwork, a 24-page booklet featuring lyrics, commentaries on each record by noted Afrobeat historian Chris May, never-before-seen photos and an introduced from Elba. And all sets come accompanied by a special 16″ x 24″ poster designed by Remi Ghariokwu, the creative force behind many of Kuti’s seminal album covers.

To celebrate the announcement is the digital release of “Statement (Edit)” drawn from the A-side title track of the album also included in the collection. Built around a laconic yet irresistibly funky groove, the song features Kuti musing on the face-off Nigeria’s military regime and the social groups, who made up the bulk of his audience: students, intellectuals and sufferheads (as he called the urban working class). It’s perfect mid-late 70s Fela Kuti pairing deep groove with urgent sociopolitical messages.

Box Set # 6 is slated for a December 1, 2023 release. Be on the lookout y’all.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

M for Montreal — M pour Montreal in French — is an annual conference and music festival which takes place over the course of four days in late November in Canada’s second largest city. Since the inaugural conference back in 2005, M for Montreal has expanded to feature a selection of over 100 emerging, buzz-worthy and/or breakout acts from across Québec, the rest of Canada and a handful of internationally-based acts playing on stages in some of Montréal’s top venues and clubs. 

The annual conference also welcomes over 300 music industry professionals to Montréal for professional programming and networking tailored specifically for folks in the industry. 

Last month, M for Montréal’s organizers announced the full lineup of artists in its 2023 Official Selection series. Following a nationwide call for submissions that drew a record number of over 600 applications, the conference’s organizers have selected 28 artists and bands as outstanding examples of emerging talents across all spectra of genre, sound and background. 

With a little over a month left until this year’s 18th — 18th! — edition, festival organizers announced the lineup for my favorite portion of the festival, M for Marathon. Organized by M for Montréal and presented by Sirius XM, M for Marathon runs across the festival’s four-day run and features 34 shows with 91 artists playing in 16 venues across the city.

This year’s M for Marathon will showcase a globe-spanning lineup with an eclectic array of emerging artists. The Francophone portion of the lineup will feature Quebec favorites Geneviève et Matthieu, pop artists Simon Kearney and Félix Dyotte and up-and-comers Les Lunatiques, Sorry Girls, Grand Eugène, Prince Amine, Ivytide, Vendou and a list of others.

The Anglophone portion of the lineup will feature Cartel Madres, who will be playing a showcase at one of my favorite rooms to catch a show in town, La Sala Rossa with Milk & Bone, dee holt and Virginie B. (I caught Virginie B at last year’s M for Montréal and she’s a superstar in the making.)

Much like previous editions of M for Marathon, this year’s Marathon will feature a number of international artists, some of whom will be making their first appearances in Québec. French artists include Al-Qasar, Blue Orchid and Suzanne Belaubre. Welsh artists include Bethan Lloyd and Mace The Great. The UK’s Otto Aday, Egypt’s Nadah El Shazly, C’ôte d’Ivoire’s Andy S., and Atlanta‘s CDSM are also on the bill.

M for Marathon will also feature the launch of two debut efforts, underscoring the festival’s mission to support emerging projects: Canailles‘ Alice will be releasing her solo debut EP, Du love à revendre with a November 18, 2023 showcase at the intimate, medieval castle-like Quai des Brumes alongside Billiane. That same night, Tango Golf Tango will launch Dark Tropical Express at Diving Bell Social Club with Otto Aday.

Festival organizers also created a curated playlist featuring the artists and bands on this year’s lineup. Check that out here:

There two badge tiers:

The M for Marathon Festival badge, which allows you to attend M for Marathon showcases: 30 shows over the course of four days. For more information and to purchase, go here.

The Pro Badge, which allows you to attend all the Official Selection showcases, opening and closing cocktails, all workshops and conferences, the curated networking activity M for Mixer, the purchase of complimentary networking options, access to a digital networking platform and all the M for Marathon showcases. For more information, and to purchase, go here. 

Full listing of bands and artists at M for Montréal’s 18th edition is below:

36?
Afternoon Bike Ride
Al-Qasar
Alex Nicol
Alice
Alix Fernz
Andy S
Atsuko Chiba
Banx & Ranx
Bethan Lloyd
Billianne
Blue Orchid
Boy Golden
Carlyn
Cartel Madras
CDSM
Charlie Houston
Choses Sauvages
Das Mörtal
dee holt
digital polyglot
DJ Clémence Giroux
DJ LaTerreur
DJ Pøptrt
DJ Silktits
DJ Trinidaddy
DVTR
Family Man
Félix Dyotte
Flower Face
Frais Dispo
 

Frieda Mari
Gawbé
Geneviève et Matthieu
Georgia Harmer
Grand Eugène
Grand Public
Hawa B
Heaven for Real
Hippie Hourrah
Ivytide
Katie Tupper
La Faune
La Niña Kiwi
La Sécurité
LaF
Les Lunatiques
Loviet
Mace the Great
Marie Davidson
Mattmac
Mélissa Fortin
Milk & Bone
Mirabelle
Nadah El Shazly
Niall Mutter
Night Lunch
Nodly
Nyssa
Ormiston
Otto Aday
Ouri

Patche
Peter Dreams
Philippe Brach
poolblood
Population II
Prince Amine
Ragers
Rip Pop Mutant
Robert Robert
Sasha Cay
Simon Daniel
Simon Kearney
Sorry Girls
Stoylov
Super Plage
Suzanne Belaubre
Sylvie
T Thomason
Tallandskiinny
Tango Golf Tango
Thanks, Honestly
Titelaine
Totalement Sublime
Vendou
VioleTT Pi
Virginie B
Willa Owen
Winona Forever
Yocto
Zouz

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms


News/Announcements: Shoutouts To Patreon Patrons And Creatives Rebuild New York

I started this site over 13 years ago. 13 years of anything is a very long time. And in the blogosphere that’s roughly 10-12 lifetimes. How have I managed to keep doing this — for this long? Well, I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do elsewhere. But I felt a strong need to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites. When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened. 

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. As long as JOVM exists, you’re going to get eclectic and diverse music coverage from my perspective. 

I’m looking forward to what year 14 holds for JOVM. And hopefully with your support, I can keep this thing going. Now, as you know, I’ve said this many times: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. After all, time is money. Effort is money. Then add all the expenses it takes to actually work. Unsurprisingly, this site and the work that makes it possible is impossible without money. It’s a simple — and often frustrating — fact of life. 

So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

  • Sash
  • Alice Northover
  • Bella Fox
  • Jenny MacRostie
  • Janene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing. 

So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved and humbled to be included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. My participation in the Guaranteed Income for Artists program has been put to good use — keeping this dream of mine going while having some of the normal financial pressures lessened a bit. There aren’t enough words to thank them — or to show them how grateful I am; but I’ll keep trying! 


There are other ways you can support. You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

You can also support my following me on the following platforms:

You can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.

I’m an Eargasm Earplugs Earinflunecer. Buy a pair, protect your hearing and save 10% by clicking on this code: https://lnkd.in/ewX8ezKZ. I do get a percentage of each sale from that discount code.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

Image

M for Montreal — M pour Montreal in French — is an annual conference and music festival which takes place over the course of four days in late November in Canada’s second largest city. Since the inaugural conference back in 2005, M for Montreal has expanded to feature a selection of over 100 emerging, buzz-worthy and/or breakout acts from across Québec, the rest of Canada and a handful of internationally-based acts playing on stages in some of Montréal’s top venues and clubs.

The annual conference also welcomes over 300 music industry professionals to Montréal for professional programming and networking tailored specifically for folks in the industry.

M for Montréal’s organizers recently announced the full lineup of artists in its 2023 Official Selection series. Following a nationwide call for submissions that drew a record number of over 600 applications, the conference’s organizers have selected 28 artists and bands as outstanding examples of emerging talents across all spectra of genre, sound and background.

This year’s Francophone lineup will feature Arielle Soucy and bless joining an eclectic array of some of the leading names of the city’s local scene, including Lou-Adriane Cassidy, LaF, Thierry Larose, VioleTT Pi, Frais Dispo, the French-language iteration of Foreign Diplomats, Totalement Sublime, zouz, Super Plage, and Innu artist Kanen, one of five Indigenous artists selected this year.

The Anglophone section of the lineup continues to spotlight Montréal. Afternoon Bike Ride, who were already announced as part of the M for Marathon section of the conference were also added to the Official Selection. The trio will also be joined by an eclectic selection of local Anglophone acts including Bells Larsen, HAWA B, Wendat singer and emcee Joseph Sarenhes, JOVM mainstays La Sécurité, and well-known local artist Elliot Maginot.

The national scene is well represented and includes Manitoba’s Boy Golden and Mattmac, Saskatchewan’s Dump Babes and Teon Gibbs, British Columbia’s Miesha and The Spanks and Winona Forever, Alberta’s 36?, and Ontario’s AVIV and Billlianne.

Many of the Official Selection showcases are only open to PRO badge holders; however, some of those showcases will also be part of the M for Marathon festival, presented by M for Montréal and open to the general public. The full M for Marathon lineup will be released soon but the lineup will include Banx & Ranx, Choses Sauvages, Hippie Hourrah and Alix Fernz.

There two badge tiers:

The M for Marathon Festival badge, which allows you to attend M for Marathon showcases: 30 shows over the course of four days. For more information and to purchase, go here.

The Pro Badge, which allows you to attend all the Official Selection showcases, opening and closing cocktails, all workshops and conferences, the curated networking activity M for Mixer, the purchase of complimentary networking options, access to a digital networking platform and all the M for Marathon showcases. For more information, and to purchase, go here.


News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms


News/Announcements: Shoutouts To Patreon Patrons And Creatives Rebuild New York

I started this site 13 years ago. 13 years of anything is a long time. And in the blogosphere that’s roughly 10-12 lifetimes. I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do elsewhere. But I felt a strong need to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites. When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened. 

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. As long as JOVM exists, you’re going to get eclectic and diverse music coverage from my perspective.

I’m looking forward to what year 14 holds for JOVM. And hopefully with your support, I can keep this thing going. Now, as you know, I’ve said this many times: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. After all, time is money. Effort is money. Then add all the expenses it takes to actually work. Unsurprisingly, this site and the work that makes it possible is impossible without money. It’s a simple — and often frustrating — fact of life. 

So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

  • Sash
  • Alice Northover
  • Bella Fox
  • Jenny MacRostie
  • Janene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing. 

So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved and humbled to be included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. My participation in the Guaranteed Income for Artists program has been put to good use — keeping this dream of mine going while having some of the normal financial pressures lessened a bit. There aren’t enough words to thank them — or to show them how grateful I am; but I’ll keep trying! 


There are other ways you can support. You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

You can also support my following me on the following platforms:

You can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.

I’m an Eargasm Earplugs Earinflunecer. Buy a pair, protect your hearing and save 10% by clicking on this code: https://lnkd.in/ewX8ezKZ. I do get a percentage of each sale from that discount code.

hip-hop by William Ruben Helms

Throughout his career Robert Glasper has become known as the leader of a new sonic paradigm with his work bridging a number of musical and artistic genres. So far, the accomplished musician, composer and producer has received 11 Grammy nominations across 11 categories and has won five. Glasper has also won an Emmy Award for his work with Common and Karriem Riggins for Ava DuVernay‘s critically applauded documentary 13th. Adding to his impressive accomplishments, the acclaimed artist has also won a Peabody Award for his composition, “Mr. Soul!”

Glasper’s work and accolades bridge all aspects of the music business, from live touring, film scores, composing and producing. His ongoing Black Radio series has become his calling card and the heart of a trailblazing community of collaborators including Yasiin Bey, Bilal, Ledisi, Lupe Fiasco, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu. Glasper is an artist at the heart of an important moment — and a movement — to champion Black music, Black people, and the possibility of a better future for all of us.

Founded back in 1981, New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club is one of the premier venues in the world. While jazz is at its core, the famed club continues to broaden its offerings to spotlight contemporary artists across all musical styles, backgrounds and cultures.

The club and its sister institutions across the globe continue to draw beloved — and massive — household names with frequent appearances from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and more.

Last Friday, The Blue Note Jazz Club and Robert Glasper announced the fifth annual Robtober, his iconic residency. Kicking off on October 4, 2023 — with two shows per night at 8pm and 10:30pm — and running until November 5, 2023, Season 5 of the residency will see the acclaimed pianist, producer, composer and songwriter performing eight distinct episodes, with a different array of renowned special guests including Yebba, Norah Jones, Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, Moonchild‘s Amber Navran, D Smoke, Yasiin Bey, Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge, and DJ Jahi Sundance.

A complete list of dates are below. Tickets are available here y’all. Don’t lose out on a legendary month at The Blue Note.

BLUE NOTE x ROBERT GLASPER “ROBTOBER”

SEASON 5

EPISODE ONE: THE ORGINIAL TRIO: TRIBUTE TO PIANO GIANTS
October 4—The Original Trio: Tribute to Piano Giants—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 5—The Original Trio: Tribute to Piano Giants—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE TWO: YEBBA
October 6—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 7—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 8—Robert Glasper x Yebba—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE THREE: NORAH JONES
October 11—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 12—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 13—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 14—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 15—Robert Glasper x Norah Jones—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE FOUR: AMBER NAVRAN (MOONCHILD)
October 18—Robert Glasper x Amber Navran (of Moonchild)—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 19—Robert Glasper x Amber Navran (of Moonchild)—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE FIVE: DINNER PARTY FEAT.
TERRACE MARTIN & KAMASI WASHINGTON
October 20—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 21—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 22—Dinner Party feat. Terrace Martin and Kamasi Washington
—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE SIX: TRIBUTE TO ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS
October 25—Tribute to Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 26—Tribute to Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE SEVEN: D SMOKE
October 27—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 28—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
October 29—Robert Glasper x D Smoke—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

EPISODE EIGHT: YASIIN BEY
November 1—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodgeand DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYCNovember 2—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 3—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 4—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC
November 5—Robert Glasper x yasiin bey feat. Chris Dave, Derrick Hodge
and DJ Jahi Sundance—Blue Note Jazz Club, NYC

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms


News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons and Creatives Rebuild New York

I started this site 13 years ago. 13 years of anything is a long time. And in the blogosphere that’s roughly 10 lifetimes. I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do elsewhere. But I felt a strong need to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites. When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened. 

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. 

I’m looking forward to what year 14 holds for JOVM. And hopefully with your support, I can keep this thing going. Now, as you know, I’ve said this many times: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. After all, time is money. Effort is money. Then add all the expenses it takes to actually work. Unsurprisingly, this site and the work that makes it possible is impossible without money. It’s a simple — and often frustrating — fact of life.

So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

  • Sash
  • Alice Northover
  • Bella Fox
  • Jenny MacRostie
  • rJanene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing.

So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved and humbled to be included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. My participation in the Guaranteed Income for Artists program has been put to good use — keeping this dream of mine going while having some of the normal financial pressures lessened a bit. There aren’t enough words to thank them — or to show them how grateful I am; but I’ll keep trying! 


There are other ways you can support. You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

You can also support my following me on the following platforms:

And you can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms
ALL39-2Download

If you’re a musician, an artist manager, an aspiring musician or an aspiring music manager, you should click on your calendar app and mark down July 26, 2023 for Music Managers Forum Canada’s Webinar: Building Buzz: Best Practices in Media and PR for Music Managers.

Music Managers Forum Canada will be bringing together three different international speakers to share invaluable insights and expertise on navigating the dynamic world of media and publishing relations in the music and entertainment industry.

What are some of the key strategies and tactics employed by successful artist managers to amplify their artists’ visibility and create lasting impact? This discussion will explore a wide range of topics, including crafting compelling press releases, building and maintaining media relationships, leveraging social media platforms, effectively managing crises, and harnessing the power of storytelling to captivate both traditional and digital media outlets. 

The panelists are:

Dalton Higgins, a Toronto-based publicist, award-winning journalist, author of six books and Toronto Metropolitan University‘s Music-Professional-in-Residence. His publicity roster includes highly acclaimed clients, who have won or have been nominated for Grammy Awards, BET Awards, Emmy Awards, The Mercury Prize, Victoires de la Musique, Juno Awards, Grammis and the Polaris Music Prize.

His book Far from Over: The Music and Life of Drake is carried in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museumcollection in Cleveland. His best selling book, Hip Hop World is carried in Harvard University‘s hip hop archive.

Higgins is a former music booker for Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre — and he has co-produced and co-hosted popular podcasts for media outlets like the CBC’s This Is Not a Drake Podcast, and Rogers Media’s Black Tea.

He teaches the university course “Deconstructing Drake and The Weekend,” a course that has been featured on CNN, New York Times, NPR, BET, Hypebeast, NME, GRMand 6ixBuzz among others.

Jack Parker is an artist manager and the Editor-in-Chief and Head of Live Music at LICKS Magazine, a quarterly print magazine widely distributed in both the US and UK.

And last but certainly not least, yours truly. 

It’ll be informative, highly informative and entertaining. The webinar is free for MMF Canada members. They just have to log into their MMF Member Portal and click on the Member Discount and Events tab. The webinar is $20 for non-members.

From my understanding, there are a few slots left, and if you’re interested in hearing me and these other super talented professionals give our thoughts on the media and the PR landscape for independent artists and music managers, you should check it out. And if you’re an aspiring musician or music manager, you need to check it out. I have a free promo code: MMF-Canada-William-Helms.

I’m looking forward to it and to potentially seeing y’all and answering some of your questions.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms
ALL39-1Download

If you’re a musician, an artist manager, an aspiring musician or an aspiring music manager, you should click on your calendar app and mark down July 26, 2023 for Music Managers Forum Canada’s Webinar: Building Buzz: Best Practices in Media and PR for Music Managers.

Music Managers Forum Canada will be bringing together three different international speakers to share invaluable insights and expertise on navigating the dynamic world of media and publishing relations in the music and entertainment industry.

What are some of the key strategies and tactics employed by successful artist managers to amplify their artists’ visibility and create lasting impact? This discussion will explore a wide range of topics, including crafting compelling press releases, building and maintaining media relationships, leveraging social media platforms, effectively managing crises, and harnessing the power of storytelling to captivate both traditional and digital media outlets. 

The panelists are:

Dalton Higgins, a Toronto-based publicist, award-winning journalist, author of six books and Toronto Metropolitan University‘s Music-Professional-in-Residence. His publicity roster includes highly acclaimed clients, who have won or have been nominated for Grammy Awards, BET Awards, Emmy Awards, The Mercury Prize, Victoires de la Musique, Juno Awards, Grammis and the Polaris Music Prize.

His book Far from Over: The Music and Life of Drake is carried in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and Museum collection in Cleveland. His best selling book, Hip Hop World is carried in Harvard University‘s hip hop archive.

Higgins is a former music booker for Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre — and he has co-produced and co-hosted popular podcasts for media outlets like the CBC’s This Is Not a Drake Podcast, and Rogers Media’s Black Tea.

He teaches the university course “Deconstructing Drake and The Weekend,” a course that has been featured on CNN, New York Times, NPR, BET, Hypebeast, NME, GRM and 6ixBuzz among others.

Jack Parker is an artist manager and the Editor-in-Chief and Head of Live Music at LICKS Magazine, a quarterly print magazine widely distributed in both the US and UK.

And last but certainly not least, yours truly.

It’ll be informative, highly informative and entertaining. The webinar is free for MMF Canada members. They just have to log into their MMF Member Portal and click on the Member Discount and Events tab. The webinar is $20 for non-members. But I also have a free promo code. So feel free to hit me up for the code and event registration link, y’all.




News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

I started this site 13 years ago this month. 13 years of anything is a long time. And in the blogosphere that’s roughly 10 lifetimes. I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do elsewhere. But I felt a strong need to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites. 

When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened. 

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. 

I’m looking forward to what year 14 holds for JOVM. And hopefully with your support, I can keep this thing going. Now, as you know, I’ve said this many times: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. After all, time is money. Effort is money. Then add all the expenses it takes to actually work. 

Unsurprisingly, this site and the work that makes it possible is impossible without money. It’s a simple — and often frustrating — fact of life. So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

Sash

Alice Northover

Bella Fox

Jenny MacRostie

Janene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing. So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved and humbled to be included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. My participation in the Guaranteed Income for Artists program has been put to good use — keeping this dream of mine going while having some of the normal financial pressures lessened a bit. There aren’t enough words to thank them — or to show them how grateful I am; but I’ll keep trying! 

There are other ways you can support. 

You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

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 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

And you can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

I started this site 13 years ago today. 13 years of anything is a long time. And in the blogosphere that’s roughly 10 lifetimes. I’ve long felt as though I had no choice but to go out on my own because I didn’t feel — or believe — that I’d get a fair shot to do what I do elsewhere. But I felt a strong need to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens, and that I didn’t see whenever I read my favorite magazine and sites.

When I started JOVM, I didn’t — and couldn’t have — imagined most, if not all of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout this site’s lengthy history to ever have happened.

With this site, I’ve managed to carve out a unique path for myself — and in the blogosphere. Because music media — and generally the media world — is an incredibly homogeneous space, the coverage that you see as a consumer and fan tends to come from a similar perspective. If you don’t believe me, look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine or website. It explains why certain artists, genres and styles are covered over others. But it also explains why you see the exact same coverage of the same artists, genres and styles, too. 

I’m looking forward to what year 14 holds for JOVM. And hopefully with your support, I can keep this thing going. Now, as you know, I’ve said this many times: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. After all, time is money. Effort is money. Then add all the expenses it takes to actually work.

Unsurprisingly, this site and the work that makes it possible is impossible without money. It’s a simple — and often frustrating — fact of life. So, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the past handful of years, there are a handful of folks I want to thank once again for their support:  

Sash

Alice Northover

Bella Fox

Jenny MacRostie

Janene Otten 

All of those folks have been generous Patreon patrons. Every and any amount really helps keeps this sort of journalism and criticism alive and ongoing. So if you’re able and willing, please feel free to check out the Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement. 

Additionally, I have to thank the hardworking folks at Creatives Rebuild New York. I’m proud, relieved and humbled to be included in their 18-month Guaranteed Income for Artists program. My participation in the Guaranteed Income for Artists program has been put to good use — keeping this dream of mine going while having some of the normal financial pressures lessened a bit. There aren’t enough words to thank them — or to show them how grateful I am; but I’ll keep trying! 

There are other ways you can support. 

You can also support by checking the JOVM shop. I sell prints in various sizes. I also have bumper stickers. Check it out: https://www.joyofviolentmovement.com/shop 

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 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

And you can hire me for headshots, portraits and events. Seriously, I’m available for that, too. You can click here: https://www.photobooker.com/photographer/ny/new-york/william-h?duration=1?duration=1# or you can contact me directly.