Tag: 2010s

Video by William Ruben Helms

Throwback: Happy 75th Birthday, Lemmy!

JOVM celebrates what would have been Lemmy Kilmister’s 75th birthday.

1980s by William Ruben Helms

JOVM turned 10 earlier this year and to celebrate the occasion I streamed a globe-spanning, genre-defying DJ set for a collection of dear friends and colleagues. A couple of months later, I did a second DJ set, which managed to simultaneously celebrate JOVM’s decade of existence and was a dance party for my mom’s 68th birthday.

The third DJ set, which I streamed last night is focused on the classic soul sound — by beloved classic artists, as well as contemporary artists. As I told the folks, who joined me: when I started to compile the tracks for Flight 777’s third journey, I was in a dark space: I couldn’t help feeling anxious and fearful that the country would re-elect a dangerous, racist moron for another four years. Obviously, as the results got increasingly better, I began to feel an exhausted sense of relief until Saturday morning, when CNN and the AP officially called the presidential race for Vice President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. (Correction: President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris!). Most of the songs of the set took on a very different vibe and tone — and I had to make two memorable last minute additions to cover the overall mood.

So here’s four hours of soul for your soul and for you heart. I hope you’ll enjoy as much I did streaming it for friends.

Also happy birthday, mom!

Video by William Ruben Helms

Re-Post: YG and Nipsey hussle “Fuck Donald Trump”

JOVM celebrates Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election.

2010s by William Ruben Helms

Throwback: Election Day/Fuck Donald Trump

November 3, 2020 may be the most consequential election in our lifetimes — and in our country’s history. I voted last Saturday, during the first day of early elections here in New York. If somehow you haven’t voted yet, or you may be uncertain if you may vote, I’ll simply say that this: politics is local and personal. If you really want to change things, you have to start thinking about how you can change things in your corner of the world. The best way you can do that is to vote for the candidates and parties, who you believe best align with your interests and values.

To that end, I couldn’t help but think of YG’s and Nipsey Hustle’s “Fuck Donald Trump” because honestly, what else can be said besides: “Fuck Donald Trump.” Like a lot of people, I’m hoping that this braindead fool currently in office and his equally cartoonish administration is shown the door.

Video by William Ruben Helms

Throwback: Happy 70th Birthday, Tom Petty!

One of the greatest thrills I’ve had as a music fan, was somehow getting last-minute tickets through a broker to see Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers with Steve Winwood at Madison Square Garden back in June 2008. Up until, catching Bob Dylan with Mavis Staples at The Beacon Theatre, that 2008 concert was the most I had ever spent for concert tickets — and I don’t regret it for a single second. God, hearing all of great songs live.

Petty would have turned 70. And much like Prince, I doubt Petty was capable of writing a terrible song. I wanted to celebrate Tom Petty’s birthday — and i think you should, too. I’ll be playing some of his music today, and will feel grateful for all of those songs. Happy 70th Tom. Happy birthday to you, wherever you are.

Video by William Ruben Helms

Throwback: R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen

JOVM pays tribute to one of the greatest guitarists to have ever lived — Eddie Van Halen.