#diypunk

autumn has set in. like autumn leaves fall, i have fallen in love. yet all too soon everything will wither and the brittled pieces be blown into the darkness by cruel winter winds. all i have, all there is, in fact, is hope for our dancing pieces to meet again in the darkness by mere happenchance. if we make it to the spring, we will do as the spring sun: burn and love, and not care for the inevitable heat death of everything there ever is. our love will destroy this fucking existence.

Phane at Lucky Liquor, May 10 2025, Tukwila, WA

If you’ve been looking for an inside scoop of what’s happening in the diy music and art scene, you’ve come to the right place. And if you haven’t, I invite you to stay a while—you just might find your next favorite band, poet, or painter. With this blog, I aim to curate a space where especially interesting and under-appreciated talent can finally be recognized—with a particular focus on uplifting queer, black, and POC voices. There is a wealth of art, music, and literature out in the ether. The people at the helm of that expression deserve their flowers. If you would like to submit a song, poem, or guest blog to the Bones Gazette, there will be more details at the bottom of this post.

So who am I? 

I’m your dutiful host: MJ Bones! I am an avid lover of art in all of its forms, with a knack for writing. It was only a matter of time before I’d venture into the blogosphere. As a diy musician and artist myself, I’ve had the privilege to meet so many other talented people over the years. The grit, passion, and community mindset of diy is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in other scenes. It is truly a remarkable thing to be a part of. 

In the realm of diy, we’ve got each other’s backs. Much of the community is comprised of queer folk, addicts in recovery, and people trying to navigate life with mental illness and disabilities. Our ranks consist of some of the most vulnerable groups of people on the planet. That fact, coupled with a heavy overlap in leftist politics, makes for an innate sense of duty to protect each other. Whether you’re going hungry, kicking a habit, battling demons, or exploring your gender identity, you will always find support here.

I have so much pride in this scene and what it stands for. Diy saved my life. It continues to save my life every time I go to a show, or an art opening, or an anarchist bookstore. This world is a scary place, but there are little pockets of wonder and beauty everywhere—if you know where to look. 

So welcome, everyone, to the Bones Gazette! I hope you can find some community with me in this virtual space. Not only will I try my best to get you plugged in to the coolest shit ever, but also keep you posted on my own contributions to the zeitgeist of the underground.  Additionally, I’ll keep an ongoing reference of mutual aid organizations to check out if you or someone you love is in need. 

This brings me to the tofu and potatoes of it all: the Bones Gazette newsletter! I am beyond excited to announce that I will be publishing a free monthly newsletter to supplement this blog. The newsletter will have a more honed-in focus on featured artists, with exclusive interviews and in-depth reviews of their work. The first issue will be covering the January release of Blue Raspberry’s debut album, The Harmless Haunt—so stay tuned!

Thank you so much for reading. If you would like to submit something to the blog, email [email protected]. Make sure to specify what you are submitting in the subject line, as well as include a short bio and link to your socials with your work. 

If you would like to be considered for the monthly feature in the newsletter, or have any other inquiries, email [email protected], specifying which in the subject line.

Until next time,