I’m a writer specialising in arthouse cinema, alternative music, and contemporary arts and culture.

My work is regularly published in BBC Culture, The Guardian, The Telegraph, Time Out, Dazed and The Face.

I’ve contributed essays for Blu-ray releases from Arrow Films, Umbrella Entertainment and Third Window Films, and created artist bios for record labels including Partisan and PNKSLM.

I’ve hosted panels and discussions at The Barbican, The Prince Charles Cinema and The Cinema Museum, and have talked about my work on ITV, BBC Radio 1 and Arirang TV.

I also work as a music supervisor for film and TV through Nower. Our recent credits include Tim Burton’s 2024 feature ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’.

I have over a decade of experience across multiple roles in the music industry — including as a composer and performer with the band Swim Deep.

In my spare time, I like running long distances, tending to my plants, listening to ambient music, and cooking. I’m also an amateur photographer.

You can reach me at: james.balmont@gmail.com