Tag: News/Announcements

Music Festivals by William Ruben Helms

Although it’s January and some parts of the country are blanketed in snow, Summer Festival season is around the corner. And that means Summer Festival announcement time is upon us, y’all! Let’s get to it, huh?

Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival 2024, the internationally renowned camping festival will take place between June 13, 2024 – June 16, 2024 on The Bonnaroo Farm, located in Manchester, TN, just 60 miles southeast of Nashville.

Much like previous editions of the festival, 2024’s edition will continue the festival’s long-held reputation for hosting a roster of the world’s top artists and performers performing around the clock, across more than 10 stages over the course of the festival’s four day run. Expect live music and much more through the night and into the early morning with special sunrise sets.

This year’s edition will include sets from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Post Malone, Fred again. . , Pretty Lights, Megan Thee Stallion, Cage The Elephant, Maggie Rogers, Melanie Martinez, Khraungbin, Cigarettes After Sex, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Diplo, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fisher, Jon Batiste, Dominic Fike, Parcels, Idles, Joey Bada$$, Lizzy McAlpine, T-Pain, Interpol, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Two Friends, Taking Back Sunday, Gary Clark, Jr., TV Girl, Thundercat, Ashnikko, Brittany Howard and much more. (The full Bonnaroo 2024 lineup is below.)

For the first time in the festival’s history, their What Stage (the main stage) will power up for a special Pretty Lights Thursday night headline set. Pretty Lights will also perform a second sunrise set on the festival’s The Other Stage during the weekend. Bonnaroo will also mark the only US festival performance by rising electronic act Fred again . . . this year.

This year’s edition will also feature a very special edition of the festival’s world-famous SuperJam. Taking place on June 15, 2024 in That Tent, this year’s All-Star collaboration will be “Once More With Feeling (s) — The Dashboard Confession Emo SuperJam, with performances from special guests both announced and unannounced, guaranteeing that this year’s session will be a must-see celebration of community, showmanship and unmatched musical adventure.

Additional lineup announcements, including plans for the Where In The Woods Stage, as well as the Late Night showcase performances will be announced soon.

But in the meantime, the presale begins Thursday, January 11 at 10:00SM Central Time. Fans can sign up for a presale passcode exclusively here: http://www.bonnaroo.com/tickets. A public on-sale will follow if tickets remain.

2024 ticket options include:

  • 4-Day General Admission
  • 4-Day General Admission+
  • 4-Day VIP
  • 4-Day Platinum
  • And there are a variety of camping and parking options starting at just $25 down with a payment plan

Bonnaroo’s General Admission ticket includes over 150 performances on more than 10 stages, access to the entire campground, food for purchase from over 150 vendors, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, bars, concessions, access to purchase official band and festival merch, free water stations and more amenities throughout the park and campground.

GA+ tickets include all of the above, plus unlimited access to the Centeroo GA+ Lounge, which features relaxed seating, dedicated food for purchase, air-conditioned restrooms and concierge to assist with all festival needs, a private bar with drinks for purchase plus complimentary soft drinks, a complimentary water refill station, a dedicated premium entrance lane at both gates into Center and more.

VIP and Platinum ticket holders will enjoy a number of exclusive ungrounds, including dedicated close-in and on-field viewing areas, unlimited access to VIP and Platinum Lounges, express lanes at the Festival Store, commemorative festival gifts and more. More information on VIP and Platinum tickets can be found here: http://www.bonnaroo.com/tickets.

The Festival will offer a wide range of camping and parking options at Outeroo, Bonnaroo’s campgrounds, including Primitive Car Camping, Glamping RVs, Backstage Camping, Accessible Camping, Group Camping, Community Camping and more. Premium Outeroo Camping accommodations include pre-pitched souvenir tents, cool and comfortable darkroom tents, weatherproof luxury bell tents and spacious two-person wood frame safari tents — for the ultimate Bonnaroo camping experience. Additionally, four-day on-site parking will be available for ticket holders, who won’t be camping with car parking passes granting one parking spot in the Cosmic Nomads Day Parking Lot. For details and accommodation options, check out: http://www.bonnaroo.com/accommodations.

Bonnaroo has also maintained a commitment to local and regional issues, since the festival’s beginnings. Founded back in 2009 as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, Bonnaroo Works Fund (BWF) contributes to more than 100 local, regional and national nonprofit partners benefiting the arts, education, environmental sustainability and social impact — with a direct focus on local reinvestment and asset building. Nearly $10 million in funding has been generated thus far, providing much-needed local support to Middle Tennessee, especially Manchester and Coffee County communities.

COMPLETE BONNAROO 2024 LINEUP

THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Pretty Lights (Headlining Main Stage)

FISHER

BigXthaPlug

Disco Lines

Durand Bernarr

Eggy

Geese

Gwar

The Heavy Heavy

HoneyLuv

it’s murph

Matt Maltese

Medium Build

Michigander

Militarie Gun

Nation of Language

Neal Francis’ Francis Comes Alive

Ocie Elliott

Oliver Heldens

Róisín Murphy

Say She She

Sid Sriram

FRIDAY, JUNE 14

Post Malone

Maggie Rogers

Khruangbin

Seven Lions

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

Dominic Fike

Lizzy McAlpine

Interpol

T-Pain

Svdden Death

TV Girl

Gary Clark Jr.

The Mars Volta

Faye Webster

Key Glock

Thundercat

Lovejoy

ISOxo

GROUPLOVE

David Kushner

The Japanese House

Dr. Fresch

49 Winchester

MIKE.

Larkin Poe

Shy FX

Bonny Light Horseman

Baby Queen

Mdou Moctar

Jessica Audiffred

Half Moon Run

Hamdi

LYNY

SATURDAY, JUNE 15

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Cage The Elephant

Melanie Martinez

Cigarettes After Sex

Diplo

Jon Batiste

Reneé Rapp

Parcels

IDLES

Brittany Howard

Sean Paul

Knock2

Ethel Cain

Gregory Alan Isakov

The Teskey Brothers

BADBADNOTGOOD

Teezo Touchdown

Whyte Fang

Bakar

d4vd

The Maine

Josiah and the Bonnevilles

Kasablanca

NEIL FRANCES

Tanner Usrey

Ryan Beatty

MIKE

Trousdale

Vandelux

LOVRA

Once More With Feeling(s) – The Dashboard Confessional Emo SuperJam

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Fred again..

Megan Thee Stallion

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

Two Friends

Carly Rae Jepsen

Joey Bada$$

Goth Babe

Galantis

Taking Back Sunday

Ashnikko

Four Tet

Charles Wesley Godwin

Milky Chance

Chappell Roan

Greensky Bluegrass

The Garden

Yves Tumor

The Beaches

Jake Wesley Rogers

S.G. Goodman

Libianca

TSHA

Irreversible Entanglements

Armand Hammer

veggi

New Wave by William Ruben Helms

The inaugural Totally Tubular Festival will tour across 17 markets across North America starting June 28, 2024 in Santa Barbara, CA and closing out July 27, 2024 in Cincinnati. The tour includes a July 18, 2024 stop at Pier 17.

The festival’s first lineup features a collection of artists that exploded into the pop culture zeitgeist in the early to mid 1980s as a result of regular rotation of their music videos on MTV. Because of nostalgia — and the songs were great — the sounds of the 80s and the artists, who created that song have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last handful of years.

The artists performing on the 2024 tour include:

“This is a dream lineup for those who love the music of the early 1980’s, and for those who want to relive the days when life was…plain and simply–a total party,” says Jon Pleeter, CPO (Chief Party Officer) of Totally Tubular Festival. “You wore dayglow, you wore parachute pants, you had big hair, perms and more perms, mullets, leg warmers, along with tons of buttons and lots of rubber bracelets. You wore sunglasses at night. The choruses were big, and the hooks were bigger—the party didn’t end.”

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go towards food banks locally in each market.

TOTALLY TUBULAR FESTIVAL tour dates include:

6/28 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

6/29 – Los Angeles, CA – YouTube Theatre

6/30 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre

7/3 – Phoenix – Arizona Financial Theatre

7/6 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

7/9 – Irving, TX – Pavilion @ Toyota Music Factory

7/10 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall

7/13 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre 

7/16 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheatre

7/17 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall @ Fenway

7/18 – New York, NY – Pier 17

7/19 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live @ Etess Arena

7/20 – Bushkill, PA – Poconos Park Amphitheatre

7/23 – Laval, QUE – Place Bell

7/24 – Missisauga, ONT – GCT Theatre

7/26 – Detroit, MI – Meadowbrook Amphitheatre

7/27 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center Amphitheatre

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

News/Announcements: Union Pool’s FREE TUESDAYS Winter Concert Series Lineup

Today, Williamsburg’s Union Pool announced their second annual FREE TUESDAYS concert series, the venue’s free winter concert series sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery and Amaro Montenegro that will take place (almost!) every Tuesday this January through February. Entry is based on capacity and RSVPs aren’t required — but Union Pool’s performance space is small, so you should come out early.

Every week doors are at 7.

The lineup for January is below:

Tuesday, January 9: Dark Thoughts, Savage Pleasure, and Pure Terror. RSVP here.

Tuesday, January 16: Chances with Wolves, Fatboi Sharif, and Edan (Disk Jokk). RSVP here.

Tuesday, January 23: Channel Beads, Melody English, and LST. RSVP here.

Tuesday, January 30: Los Ésplifs and Mei Semones. RVSP here.

February’s lineup will be forthcoming. So follow this space, as well as Union Pool’s calendar and Instagram for more.



 
Stay tuned, follow us and subscribe for February’s lineup!

News/Announcements by William Ruben Helms

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

I’ve had some very difficult and challenging years in my life. (At this juncture, haven’t we all?) But most of the course of 2023 has been embittering, infuriating and maddening. And as the year closes, I can only think of a handful of years, where I felt as though I limped away from the carnage, feeling angry, frustrated and dejected. Certainly, in this line of work, it’s all too easy to battle and endure feelings of loneliness and failure; to feel and believe that you’re an imposter. It’s a brutal, unforgiving and wildly interesting life that can’t — and won’t — compare to most other jobs.

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. It hasn’t always been easy and there have been moments, where recently I have wondered how I’ve managed to keep doing this for so long. What I can say is this: I’ve generally felt that I needed to go out on my own because I didn’t believe — or feel — as though I’d get a fair shot to do this work anyplace else.

Personally, I’ve long felt a strong desire — and need — to create something similar to the wildly eclectic, dynamic, global sort of environment I grew up immersed in as a young Black boy in Corona, Queens. Sadly, when I read my favorite music magazines and sites, I didn’t always see that covered or represented. Sometimes, you have to go out there and force the issue about representation, shouting and throwing a fit until someone actually pays attention. Sadly, that sort of yeoman’s work is necessary — and will continue to be so for some time.

Now, when I started JOVM back in 2010, I didn’t — and just couldn’t have — imagined the majority of the things I’ve experienced and covered throughout the site’s history to have happened.

And although 2023 has been so embittering and nasty, there were a handful of very cool things that happened, that I’m quite proud of:

I DJ’d at Clem’s twice. And if you missed those sets, you can check out the playlists:

Caption: My first paid DJ set features an eclectic four+ hour mix of Afrobeat, classic soul, a few cult favorite covers of beloved songs, contemporary purveyors of the classic soul sound, mind-bending cosmic jazz funk and house music. I’m proud to say that I had heads bobbing throughout the night — and to my knowledge, I was one of the rare DJs to have management turn me up almost as loud as the room could take. I’ll always remember that — and the nerve-wracking, exhausting fun it all was.
Caption: My second paid DJ set, playfully titled “Flight 777” features an even more eclectic four+ hour mix of music from all over the world including Bollywood, electronic dance, New Wave, post-punk, soul, funk and Latin soul.

I covered Afropunk for the first time in close to a decade. Although I’ve heard from various sources about various issues with the festival and its organizers, the overall experience was much-needed and lifted my soul. I covered that one for my dear Aussie friends, Musicology.xyz. Photos appear here:

http://gallery.musicology.xyz/afropunk-2023-day-1

http://gallery.musicology.xyz/afropunk-2023-day-2

I finally saw the mighty OSees tear the walls and roof down at Warsaw. I also covered that one for my dear Aussie friends, Musicology.xyz. Photos are available here:

http://gallery.musicology.xyz/osees

While covering acclaimed Aussie JOVM mainstay Genesis Owusu at Elsewhere, I managed to capture what was one fan’s highlight of their life. Ironically, I had been feeling particularly discouraged during that time. But finding that out kept me going. Sometimes it really is the little things, y’all.

IMG_0980
Caption: JOVM mainstay Genesis Owusu signing a bible for a fan, during his October headlining set at Elsewhere in Bushwick.

I caught the mighty Slowdive play a headlining show at Webster Hall. Their work sometimes is a warm, comforting blanket and to be in a room with that enveloping sound was wonderful. https://thejoyofviolentmovement.wpcomstaging.com/live-concert-photography-slowdive-with-drab-majesty-at-webster-hall-9-28-23/

I finally obtained a New York City-issued press card. And with that card, I shot the following:

What will year 14 hold for JOVM? Hell, I don’t really know. Plus, I turn 45 in March. So, it’s also a milestone year. My hope is always for bigger and better for the site and for y’all as readers.

Of course, with your support I can keep this unique space going. Now, I’ve said this ad infinitum through site and on my social media feeds: All work — including creative work — is impossible without money. The old adage is true: Time is money. Effort is money. And it costs money for the thing(s) that you need to actually do the work.

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, photojournalism, 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. Whatever you can give is appreciated and will help. Independent journalists and artists are small businesses. And supporting small businesses survive and become sustainable is desperately needed — especially if they’re Black businesses.

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.

Frankly, I haven’t been able to thank them enough. But I’ll be grateful for the program for the rest of my life.

There are several other ways that 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.

As the year closes, I hope that you and your loved ones will have a safe, prosperous and healthy 2024. May we all take part in the necessary work to get the world right. War, inequality, strife, poverty and all other exploitive and detrimental human systems can be over, if we want them to.

indie rock by William Ruben Helms

Founded by the members of the acclaimed Austin-based psych outfit The Black Angels and a collection of friends back in 2008 as a wholly DIY event, Austin Psych Fest expanded over the next handful of years into an international destination for the underground psych music scene. Since the inaugural festival, its organizers have sought to create a thriving center locally for the city’s independent music scene and internationally in the home of psych rock.

The event was renamed LEVITATION in tribute to legendary Austin-based psych rock outfit The 13th Floor Elevators, who reunited to play the festival in 2015.

Austin Psych Fest returned earlier this year, celebrating its 15th anniversary with a three-day throwback to its original, multi-stage, single venue format, bringing back a more intimate gathering for the Spring, while the sprawling LEVITATION will continue to take place in the Fall.

Austin Psych Fest is here to stay. And the 2024 edition of the festival will take place at the historic The Far Out Lounge during the weekend of April 26, 2024 – April 28, 2024. 2024’s edition will bring the old school vibe of the original event back outdoors and under the stars and oak trees at The Far Out Lounge’s sprawling backyard.

The upcoming Austin Psych Fest features an international slate of psych rock, dream pop and indie rock that simultaneously nods to the 1960s psych rock golden age with an eye towards the future. 2024’s lineup will feature Courtney Barnett headlining on April 26, along with Chicano Batman, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Orions Belte and more. JOVM mainstays The Black Angels will headline the festival’s second day, April 27 — and their set will feature the premiere of a new visual collaboration with TV Eye. That day will also see sets from All Them Witches, JOVM mainstays Frankie and The Witch Fingers, L.A. Witch, Japanese kraut rockers Minami Deutsch and more. The festival’s third and final day will feature a headlining set from Alvvays, and sets from JOVM mainstays Still Corners, Kurt Vile and the Violators and more. The full lineup is below.

Mind-bending liquid light and visuals will be provided by video artists Mad Alchemy, TV Eye and drip//cuts.

The LEVITATION Presale for both LEVITATION ’23 and Austin Psych Fest ’23 ticket customers went live earlier today and is here.

General public on-sale is tomorrow, December 15, 2024 at 10:00AM CST. You can check that out here.

AUSTIN PSYCH FEST LINEUP:

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 
COURTNEY BARNETT • CHICANO BATMAN 
PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS
NO VACATION • LIDO PIMIENTA
LEVITATION ROOM • TROPA MAGICA
BRAINSTORY • ORIONS BELTE

SATURDAY, APRIL 27
THE BLACK ANGELS • ALL THEM WITCHES
WITCH • FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS
EARTHLESS • L.A. WITCH • HOOVERiii
MINAMI DEUTSCH • GHOSTWOMAN

SUNDAY, APRIL 28
ALVVAYS • KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS
DEHD • YELLOW DAYS • STILL CORNERS
BLONDSHELL • MIKAELA DAVIS

& MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

Music Festivals 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.   Now, if you’ve been frequenting this site over the course of this past year, you’d recall that earlier this year, the festival’s organizers announced the first wave of artists, which featured an eclectic array of artists from across the US, Canada, the European Union and more.

The first wave of artists included the following:

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)  

The New Colossus Festival closes out the year by announcing the second wave of artists and bands comprising their handpicked lineup for 2024. The lineup includes:

airu (ES)

Big Bliss (US)

Bloody Knives (US)

Boy With Apple (SE)

Carinae (US)

Chalk (UK)

Hot Garbage

(CA)Currls (UK)

Data Animal (DE)

DIVES (AT)

Dream Nails (UK)

Earth Dad (US)

Earth Tongue (NZ)

Empty Nesters (CA)

Friend of a Friend (US)

Georgie Boyd (UK)

Hadda Be (UK)

Hause Plants (PT)

High. (US)

Hotel Lux (UK)

Hotel Mira (CA)

Keegan Powell (CA)

La Sécurité (CA)

Mary Shelley (US)

Melody Fields (SE)

MINAS (UK)

Mother Tongues (CA)

Nicole Yun (US)

Outer Shapes (US)

Paper Lady (US)

PAPISA (BR)

“partygirl” (US)

Pony Girl (CA)

poolblood (CA)

POSTDATA (CA)

Rain on Fridays (US)

Reme (ES/UK)

RIP Dunes (US)

Sara Parigi (IT)

Sarakiniko (FR)

Stuck In The Sound (FR)

Tagua Tagua (BR)

The Gulps (UK)

Them Airs (US)

Ultra Q (US)

William The Conqueror (UK)

Wince (US)

Wynona Bleach (UK)

yael s. copeland (US)

There’s an updated festival playlist featuring sections of tunes from the artists and bands playing next March. Y’all can check that out here:

There are already a handful of bands from the festival’s first two waves that I’m really excited to catch. But I’m also looking forward to discovering some new favorites over the next few months.

Festival badges are available here.

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.

Music Festivals 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.

Music Festivals 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.

Music Festivals 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