News/Announcements: Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons
Throughout the past year, i’ve found small ways to celebrate JOVM’s tenth anniversary. In the blogosphere, a decade is like 128 years. During that period, I believe that JOVM has carved out a unique place in the blogosphere as it’s one of the few places, where readers can obtain personal and eclectic coverage of local, national and international music scenes.
For most of this site’s history, I’ve run it as a (mostly) one-man labor of love, run out Corona, Queens, NYC apartment while working full-time in the editorial departments of three different book publishers as an Editorial Assistant and an Acquisitions Editor. As you can imagine, I had an unusual dual life: during the day, I was a mild-mannered, spectacled Clark Kent type. At the end of the day at one job in particular, I would change from my office clothes and transform into professional music journalist, blogger and photographer, covering shows at venues across town. I’d return home in the wee hours, upload photos or work on blog post, then get a bit of sleep and repeat.
It’s often been hard work. But as a result of this site, I’vedone things I’ve never expected or thought would have ever happened. I’ve met some of my heroes. I’ve photographed icons and beloved legends. I’ve covered some amazing talented artists from all over the world. I’ve seen some memorable shows. I’ve been able to travel internationally to cover music. And I’ve met some of the nicest, kindest and most open people in the entire world — and these people have welcomed me to their hometowns, taken me to their best spots, introduced me to their favorite people and so on.
This sort of work should — and needs — to be continued and championed as much as possible. Music is the emotional center of our lives. More than ever in this profoundly unusual and unsettling time, we have to take comfort in music, art, literature and all the other things that make us human and connect us with others. Hopefully my work here has — and will continue — to bring some joy, some escape from the bleakness of our current situation or it inspires you to do something.
Of course running a site like this isn’t easy. And unfortunately, it does cost money. To that end, I started a Patreon page last year as a way to help support my creative endeavors and this site. Check out the page for more information:
https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
You can also buy merch from the Joy of Violent Movement shop:
Because of the uncertainty of the past few months, I understand that for there will be a portion of people who cannot contribute. Believe me, I get it. So if you’re unable to do so — and you happen to dig my work here, you can do the following:
- Share posts on Twitter, Facebook and elsewhere.
- Pass the word on to friends who may dig this site and my work.
- Pass the word on about the Patreon page to those that may be able to support.
- And as always
As, I promised on my Patreon page, I also wanted to give a shoutout to this site’s kind patrons:
Sash
Alice Northover
Bella Fox
Jenny MacRostie
Thank y’all so much for your support. Your support keeps this going.