News/Announcements: JOVM Could Use Your Help/Shoutouts to Patreon Patrons, Creatives Rebuild New York and Asian Arts Initiative

I’m going to be unflinchingly honest here. A few months ago, I thought I had landed a dream job: I was going to be working for a well-regarded label and distributor, doing work closely related to my work here with JOVM. We’re talking about great benefits. Generous vacation time. And the sort of payday that would make my life and existence much more comfortable.

Me and my dearest ones were absolutely thrilled beyond measure. Finally, a lot of hard work and sacrifice has paid off! Unfortunately, it all turned out to be a horrible scam. 46 has been awesome, y’all. Sigh.

Because of this scam, my bank account is currently overdrawn. On top of that, I haven’t been able to get regular work in almost a year. Trying to get full-time work is more difficult than ever: ATS. Ghost jobs. 10,000 people applying to the same position as you within a few hours of a listing posting on a job site. Add the networking that sometimes gets nowhere. I’ve managed to get a handful of interviews, but lately, it hasn’t gone beyond the first or second round.

My landlord is threatening to evict me and my mother. I’m having difficulties continuing this site, too. Although, I’ve been able to get by here and there with a little help from my friends, as the song says, I’m financially tapped out. So I’m asking y’all for your help. If you’ve got leads for full-time, part-time, project temporary, contact or project-based editorial, writing and/or photography work, please feel free to reach out.

If you can regularly support JOVM through Patreon or through a one time donation, I will be grateful. Any and all amounts are appreciated. Seriously.

Now, as you know, JOVM turns 15 next month. Yes, 15 y’al! When I started this site, I honestly felt and believed that I really had no choice but to go out on my own. From my own experience, I didn’t believe that I’d get a fair shot to do what I’ve wanted to do on this site with another outlet.

I’ve long felt a desire to create something inspired and informed by the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a Black boy from Corona, Queens. I didn’t regularly see the environment and music I heard around me represented in the music magazines and sites that I followed and loved to read. I always felt that was odd and a significant weakness because — well, there’s quite a bit of amazing music out there that’s just not getting the love and attention it should be receiving whether nationally or internationally. 

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 startling similar perspective. Look at the editorial staff at your favorite music magazine, blog or website. Tell me what you see. And when you do see some degree of diversity, it was after many years of fighting, complaining and cajoling — and worse yet, it’s usually in a very limited fashion. It explains why you’ll see the same coverage of the same batches of artists, genres and styles with little difference and less variety. 

I’m going to be frank here: With this current administration, things are going to be extremely difficult for marginalized communities, for artists and the arts, for small, independent media outlets, small businesses and for countless others. We’re already seeing large corporations and media outlets bending the knee to fascists out of greed and fear. So it’ll be imperative upon all of you who are financially able and willing to support the work and efforts of artists, creators, writers and thinkers in marginalized groups: Yes, folks of color — especially women. LGBTQ+ folks. Indigenous folks. Latinos and latinas. Asians. Immigrants. And on and on. This is in addition to those folks who are suffering through the incalculable tragedies of climate change-driven disaster and other calamities. 

If you dig their work or you dig a specific cause, and you’re able to support financially, please give to their Patreon, their GoFundMe, OnlyFans or whatever they’re using for donations and tips. Trust me, every single dollar counts, is useful and appreciated. You’ll feel good supporting the blood, sweat and tears of decent, hardworking folks who could really use it, while teaching greedy, craven and spineless assholes some key lessons. A win in my books.

I understand that things are tough for folks. A lot of people are struggling to survive with their dignity intact. If you’re unable to give money, the other way you can support is to amplify these voices. Tell your friends about these artists, influencers, thinkers and causes, and get them to follow them, too. Extra eyeballs to the work really matters — sometimes, it’s someone else who could support through cash. Other times, it’s someone who will faithfully read or follow that person’s work. Or they’ll happily proselytize your causes and your work to others. 

To that end, with your support, I can keep this 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. 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 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. 

Of course, 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.

One-time donations are also appreciated.