Why subscribe?
Welcome to my Substack. I’m Rena Jones—an editorial writer, musician, and audio engineer with a deep commitment to exploring the truth behind today’s headlines. In an age of outrage cycles and algorithm-driven narratives, I write to offer clarity, nuance, and substance. My editorial work draws from a unique lens shaped by decades in the arts and technology, cutting through the noise to examine the deeper cultural, political, and philosophical currents that define our times.
Music has been a guiding force in my life since I first picked up the violin. That path led me to electronic composition, then a sound engineering degree from Ex’pression College for Digital Arts, in the San Francisco, CA., Bay Area, where I worked on the development of Pro Tools at Avid and immersed myself in the region’s then-burgeoning electronic music scene. I later earned a Bachelor’s in IT, graduating cum laude. As a multi-instrumentalist and producer, I’ve released six solo albums—blending acoustic textures with digital atmospheres to explore themes of nature, healing, and human experience. I’m deeply committed to the power of artistic collaboration as a means of emotional expression and shared transformation, and I’ve had the honor of working with artists such as STS9, Emancipator, KiloWatts, edIT (The Glitch Mob), Funckarma, Beats Antique, Sophie Barker (Zero 7), and Grammy-nominated artist J. Viewz.
Beyond music, I’ve always been drawn to the written word. I cover current events, media bias, propaganda, antisemitism, and the fragile state of our civic institutions—while also sharing essays on the role of art, music, and creativity in turbulent times. I heavily research these subjects, sometimes for years, before publishing.
Articles like Art Is Not a Mirror reflect the depth, care, and rigor I bring to this work. If you value this kind of independent, in-depth writing, supporting my work allows me to continue creating it.
If you’re here for the writing, welcome. If you’re interested in exclusive music content, behind-the-scenes insights, and creative deep dives, you can support me on Patreon. And if you are interested in my music, you can support me here.
Through both music and editorial work, I aim to make sense of a chaotic world—thoughtfully, honestly, and without compromise. My voice is part essayist, part witness, part cultural translator—combining historical context, investigative depth, and emotional clarity to confront complexity with courage. Let’s dig deeper together.
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
