Category: News/Announcements

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons 

The Joy of Violent Movement has been a labor of love throughout it’s almost ten-year existence. Unlike those much larger sites and blogs out there, I think that this site is truly special: it’s one of the rare places where readers can come across personal and eclectic curation and coverage of independent music from all of the world. It’s one of the places out in the blogosphere where punk rock, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, the Desert Blues, the blues, funk, EDM, electro pop and countless other genres and styles exist simultaneously.

Now, many of you will know that I’ve run JOVM as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working in the editorial department of three different publishers across both trade and academic publishing — first as an Editorial Assistant and then eventually becoming an Acquisitions Editor. Unsurprisingly, most of the time, I had an odd, dual life: during the day, I was sort of a mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the proper time came, I’d run off someplace to change and become Superman to cover shows across town. I’d repeat sometimes 3-4 times a week for the bulk of the site’s existence.

Running a site like this has been a wild, fun ride. I’ve had experiences I never would have dreamt of — and would make my younger self envious: I’ve met some of my heroes, I’ve covered some amazingly talented artists, seen some memorable shows, traveled internationally to cover music and I’ve met some of the nicest, kindest and most open people in the world.

I firmly believe that this site offers something different and necessary — and it needs to be continued and championed. Like everything else in our world, running a site like this costs time and money. And sadly, it ain’t cheap.  So a few months ago, I joined Patreon as a way to help support my creative endeavors and this site.

I wanted to give a shoutout to this site’s generous and kind patrons:

Sash

Alice Northover

Bella Fox

Jenny MacRostie

Thank y’all so much for your support. Your support keeps the engine of this site going. Of course, I’m still asking for your assistance, donations and your love. Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

Before I forget, another way, you can help is this: if you enjoy what I do here, please pass the word on about this site.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: What You Can Do to Support This Site and Emerging Artists During COVID 19

With COVID 19 recently being called a pandemic by the World Heath Organization, the world as we know it has started to grind down to a halt. I have a loved one who currently has three of a the major risk factors that could make COVID 19 fatal, so my live concert coverage has essentially gone on hiatus until it’s deemed safe as of a few hours ago. I’ve spent so much of my life — roughly half of my life — in darkened rooms, in small clubs, big concert halls, arenas and DIY spaces, breathing in smoke machine air and hearing live music of all stripes as a fan, as a journalist and as a photographer. So understandably, I’m heartbroken: I sort of feel as though a dear friend has unexpectedly died in the prime of their lives — and the survivors are left to somehow pick up the pieces without quite knowing how.

Perhaps now more than ever, we’ll need the small yet universally human things to keep us going. We may not have sports for a while but we do have music, and I hope that this site can help you through what may very well be some very tough and dark days ahead. So if you’re getting sick of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and CNN fills you with despair, I think you can give JOVM some love every now and then. Every eyeball, every share on social media really counts for me  — and it means everything for the emerging and established  acts I’m covering. Remember, a few things here:

  • This site has long been a (mostly) one-man operation that I’ve run out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment. As I’ve mentioned countless times: JOVM has been primarily a labor of love.
  • For many of the emerging and established artists I’ve covered and planned to cover over the next few months, their careers and their finances are indefinitely stalled. This ripples across all the various industry people who support and guide their careers, down to your favorite music venue. Livelihoods, careers and lives will be at stake.

 

To that end here’s some things you can do to help out:

  • If you love and follow an independent blog, like this one keep reading, keep watching, keep listening whenever you can.
  • If you dig something, please share through word of mouth and through social media with like-minded people. Ad revenue ain’t much, but every single eyeball and every single click really matters — and it does add up in time.
  • If you’re financially able to, please become a Patreon patron to your favorite creators. Whatever you can give can help keep a creative project that you love going — especially when times are tough.
  • If they’re crowdfunding, please donate.
  • If you’re unable to do so financially, share with others. Someone in your circle or in your circle’s circle may be able to help support financially.
  • If you truly love what an artist or band does, please buy merchandise: get a t-shirt or two. Buy a CD, album or cassette tape. Buy a tour poster. Remember, there are countless related jobs and industries involved that bring that help your favorite artist or band create that album — and help them tour. Your financial help keeps that going.
  • If you can’t buy merchandise, support by streaming on your favorite digital service provider — and pass the word that way. Like I said Spotify’s rates are paltry; but it’s money and in time it does add up.

 

As I’ve mentioned over the past handful of months: JOVM is on Patreon. If you can support financially in any way, it’s appreciated. You can check the page out here: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement?fan_landing=true.

I also have a shop, where I have prints for sale. I’ll continue to do so for as long as I’m able to. That aspect of the site is dependent on the health and well-being of several talented folks, as well as US Postal Service/UPS/Fed Ex. Check out the site and if you dig what I’m offering, please order. I’ll be updating periodically with new and different offerings from time to time. Check out the JOVM shop here: https://thejoyofviolentmovement.wpcomstaging.com/shop/

Also, if you’re not, become a fan of this site on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement/

 

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Artists, if I’m missing some way that could support you in what will be very lean times, please holler at your boy. Let me know. I’ll update accordingly.)

 

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons 

The Joy of Violent Movement has been a labor of love throughout it’s almost ten-year existence. Unlike those much larger sites and blogs out there, I think that this site is truly special: it’s one of the rare places where readers can come across personal and eclectic curation and coverage of independent music from all of the world. It’s one of the places out in the blogosphere where punk rock, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, the Desert Blues, the blues, funk, EDM, electro pop and countless other genres and styles exist simultaneously.

Now, many of you will know that I’ve run JOVM as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working in the editorial department of three different publishers across both trade and academic publishing — first as an Editorial Assistant and then eventually becoming an Acquisitions Editor. Unsurprisingly, most of the time, I had an odd, dual life: during the day, I was sort of a mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the proper time came, I’d run off someplace to change and become Superman to cover shows across town. I’d repeat sometimes 3-4 times a week for the bulk of the site’s existence.

Running a site like this has been a wild, fun ride. I’ve had experiences I never would have dreamt of — and would make my younger self envious: I’ve met some of my heroes, I’ve covered some amazingly talented artists, seen some memorable shows, traveled internationally to cover music and I’ve met some of the nicest, kindest and most open people in the world.

I firmly believe that this site offers something different and necessary — and it needs to be continued and championed. Like everything else in our world, running a site like this costs time and money. And sadly, it ain’t cheap.  So a few months ago, I joined Patreon as a way to help support my creative endeavors and this site.

I wanted to give a shoutout to this site’s generous and kind patrons:

Sash

Alice Northover

Bella Fox

Thank y’all so much for your support. Your support keeps the engine of this site going. Of course, I’m still asking for your assistance, donations and your love. Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

Before I forget, another way, you can help is this: if you enjoy what I do here, please pass the word on about this site.

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons 

The Joy of Violent Movement has been a labor of love throughout it’s almost ten-year existence. Unlike those much larger sites and blogs out there, I think that this site is truly special: it’s one of the rare places where readers can come across personal and eclectic curation and coverage of independent music from all of the world. It’s one of the places out in the blogosphere where punk rock, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, the Desert Blues, the blues, funk, EDM, electro pop and countless other genres and styles exist simultaneously.

Now, many of you will know that I’ve run JOVM as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working in the editorial department of three different publishers across both trade and academic publishing — first as an Editorial Assistant and then eventually becoming an Acquisitions Editor. Unsurprisingly, most of the time, I had an odd, dual life: during the day, I was sort of a mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the proper time came, I’d run off someplace to change and become Superman to cover shows across town. I’d repeat sometimes 3-4 times a week for the bulk of the site’s existence.

Running a site like this has been a wild, fun ride. I’ve had experiences I never would have dreamt of — and would make my younger self envious: I’ve met some of my heroes, I’ve covered some amazingly talented artists, seen some memorable shows, traveled internationally to cover music and I’ve met some of the nicest, kindest and most open people in the world.

I firmly believe that this site offers something different and necessary — and it needs to be continued and championed. Like everything else in our world, running a site like this costs time and money. And sadly, it ain’t cheap.  So a few months ago, I joined Patreon as a way to help support my creative endeavors and this site.

I wanted to give a shoutout to this site’s generous and kind patrons:

Sash

Alice Northover

Bella Fox

Thank y’all so much for your support. Your support keeps the engine of this site going. Of course, I’m still asking for your assistance, donations and your love. Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

Before I forget, another way, you can help is this: if you enjoy what I do here, please pass the word on about this site. 

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons 

With the end of the month being both New Year’s eve and the end of the past decade, I thought it would be necessary and useful to post my monthly shoutout a few days before; so that people could actually see it.

This site has been a labor of love throughout its nine-plus year existence. But unlike those much larger competitors out there in the blogosphere, I think that this site is one fo the rare places where readers like you can come across deeply personal and eclectic curation and coverage of music from all over the world.

Now, as you may know, I’ve managed JOVM as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working in the editorial departments of three different publishers as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor, working in both trade and academic publishing. Most of the time, I felt like I had a dual life: during the day, I was sort of like mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the time came, I’d literally run into a phone booth to change and become Superman and cover shows. And I’d repeat that several times a week for several years.

Of course, running a site like this has been an incredibly fun ride. I’ve had experiences I never would have dreamt of, covered some amazing artists and met some of the nicest people. But perhaps more importantly, I believe that this site offers something very different and necessary that needs to be continued and championed. Much like everything else in this world, running a site like this costs time and money — and sadly, it ain’t cheap.

A few months ago, I joined Patreon as a way to help support my creative endeavors. And as I promised earlier on, I wanted to give special shoutouts to this site’s patrons:

Sash

Alice Northover

Thank y’all so much for your support.

I’m still humbly asking for your assistance, donation and your love.  Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons 

This site has been a labor of love throughout its nine-plus year existence. But unlike those much larger competitors out there in the blogosphere, I think that this site is one fo the rare places where readers like you can come across deeply personal and eclectic curation and coverage of music from all over the world.

Now, as you may know, I’ve managed JOVM as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working in the editorial departments of three different publishers as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor, working in both trade and academic publishing. Most of the time, I felt like I had a dual life: during the day, I was sort of like mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the time came, I’d literally run into a phone booth to change and become Superman and cover shows. And I’d repeat that several times a week for several years.

Of course, running a site like this has been an incredibly fun ride. I’ve had experiences I never would have dreamt of, covered some amazing artists and met some of the nicest people. But perhaps more importantly, I believe that this site offers something very different and necessary that needs to be continued and championed. Much like everything else in this world, running a site like this costs time and money — and sadly, it ain’t cheap.

A few months ago, I joined Patreon as a way to help support my creative endeavors. And as I promised earlier on, I wanted to give special shoutouts to this site’s patrons:

Sash

Alice Northover

Thank y’all so much for your support.

I’m still humbly asking for your assistance, donation and your love.  Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons

During JOVM’s nine-plus year history, this site has been a labor of love. Unlike the much larger competitors in the blogosphere, this site is one of the rare places where readers can come across deeply personal and eclectic curation and coverage of music from all over the world, regardless of country of origin or genre.

I’ve managed this site as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while maintaining a lengthy career in book publishing. I worked in the editorial departments of three publishers across both trade and academic publishing as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor. Most of the time, I felt like I had a dual life: during the day, I was sort of like mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the time came, I’d literally run into a phone booth to change and become Superman and cover shows.

Of course, I did all of that because I firmly believe that my mission — and more important, this site’s mission is important. Much like everything else in this world, running a site like JOVM costs time and money.

I recently joined Patreon like countless other creatives as a way to support my creative endeavors and as promised I wanted to give a special shoutout to this site’s first patron — my guy Sash in Berlin.

I’m still humbly asking for your assistance, donation and your love.  Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patrons

During JOVM’s nine-plus year history, this site has been a labor of love. Unlike the much larger competitors in the blogosphere, this site is one of the rare places where readers can come across deeply personal and eclectic curation and coverage of music from all over the world, regardless of country of origin or genre.

I’ve managed this site as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while maintaining a lengthy career in book publishing. I worked in the editorial departments of three publishers across both trade and academic publishing as an Editorial Assistant and Acquisitions Editor. Most of the time, I felt like I had a dual life: during the day, I was sort of like mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent and when the time came, I’d literally run into a phone booth to change and become Superman and cover shows.

Of course, I did all of that because I firmly believe that my mission — and more important, this site’s mission is important. Much like everything else in this world, running a site like JOVM costs time and money.

I recently joined Patreon like countless other creatives as a way to support my creative endeavors and as promised I wanted to give a special shoutout to this site’s first patron — my guy Sash in Berlin.

I’m still humbly asking for your assistance, donation and your love.  Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Please Support JOVM on Patreon

During JOVM’s nine-plus year, this site has been a labor of love. And unlike the much larger competitors out there, it’s one of the rare places where you can come across such deeply personal and eclectic curation and coverage of music from all over the world.

Now, as many of y’all know, I’ve managed the site as a (mostly) one-man operation out of my Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while maintaining a handful of corporate jobs in book publishing. Most of the time, I felt like I had a dual life: during the day, I was mild-mannered spectacled Clark Kent and when the time came, I’d run into a phone booth to become Superman, of sorts. I firmly believe that my mission — and more importantly, this site’s mission is important. Discovering new music takes up time and energy. And like everything else, it costs money.

I recently joined Patreon and I’m humbly asking for your assistance, your donations and your love. Check out the page for more information:

https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement

 

 

 

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

Happy 7th Birthday to The Joy of Violent Movement

I usually don’t spend a ton of time thinking about these things, because I typically have 456 different things on my mind at any given time — and I’m not particularly nostalgic;  but today is a big occasion for me and for JOVM. You see, I started the site 7 years ago today.  And when I started this thing I thought maybe I’d have a handful of friends and immediate family read it on occasion but to see that readers across several different countries including Canada, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Australia, France reading on a regular basis and knowing that so many people have decided to spend a few moments of their lives with me has been a profound honor — and a source of great pride for me personally, especially since JOVM is a (mostly) one-man operation. But perhaps more important, this site has been one of the most fun things I’ve ever done. Some of my earliest and most powerful memories are tied into music and as long as I could remember, music has been one of the centers of my intellectual and emotional life as a child and as an adult. And to be able to focus on a childhood obsession on a daily basis makes me one of the luckiest bastards in the entire world.

Of course, there’s an obvious question that should come up — namely this: well, what’s next? There’ll be more of the things you’ve come to love throughout the years but I’ve been thinking of some new features here and there, including possibly a podcast. Of course, that involves figuring out how to squeeze a 40 hour day into a 24 hour day; but I’ve done well with that so far. There’s much work to do and there’s so much music out there to cover, love and bring to your attention — with the hopes that you too will love it. So let’s get to it!