New Music helping Haiti
The tremendously devastating earthquake in Haiti has brought forth a wonderful outpouring of donations from all corners, to a lot of fine organizations dedicated to helping these folk through the weeks and months ahead. Sometimes though, it takes a little extra prod to dislodge those few more dollars that, while so small here, can make an enormous difference in the survivor’s well-being.
That’s why musicians (including some of the regulars from around here) who regularly meet up on various sites around the web decided early on to make up an online CD of works, the proceeds from which will virtually all go to buying basic food relief for the survivors. Using the innovatory music platform BandCamp, The CD was created and made available literally within days of the disaster; BandCamp also provides an easy and efficient way for folks to pay online, and to get that money back and out to Food for the Poor. Each $20 donated buys 100 pounds of rice and beans, basic staples every Haitian needs now. 96% of all the money goes directly for food purchases; the artists involved aren’t making a dime.
There are 19 musicians who have donated contemporary/experimental/improvisational tracks for the CD; not only from the U.S. but the other sides of both oceans as well. The minimum amount to purchase and download the tracks is a mere $5.00, but you’re more than welcome to make your payment any higher amount, too. So far in just the first two days of its release a couple hundred dollars have already been raised, but of course they’d like to keep it coming.
Those of you have have already given directly to this and other relief organizations, we salute you. But if perhaps someone’s been a little slow, maybe this might help motivate them to part with just a little cash. Whatever it takes, if it brings in even a few more dollars then good things can happen.
In the old movies, when someone needed help the scrappy kids always said “let’s put on a show”! Think of this as the 21-century version of the same idea, except with scrappy new-music composers and performers.
A contemporary take on an old-fashioned benefit concert! These social music websites really provide a global path for anyone anywhere to help those in need. Very cool!
I want to echo everyone’s comments. The only way this could have worked was as a collective effort: creators, listeners, supporters and so on. In particular posting the link on sites like this! Every $20 we raised equaled 100 pounds of beans and rice. So $500 may not seem like much to some, but 2,500 pounds feeds quite a few folks in need. A positive grassroots vibe all the way round…
Amount raised has passed $500 already, $400 of that already on its way to buy food. Good job, people!
Just heard via a friend that Le Poisson Rouge has a Haiti benefit concert scheduled for Jan. 19, with Groove Collective , DJ Logic , Bernie Worrell and Dr. Lonnie Smith.
Excellent.
Thanks for helping us get the word out about this project, Steve!
I’d like to send a bit of praise Glenn Weyant’s way as well – Glenn has an admirable history of commitment to social justice arts practice
happiness runs in a circular motion . . .
Thanks for mentioning this, Steve. I’d like to do a shout out to Glenn Weyant who got this going on his bandcamp.com page and who managed to get 19 of us together in a very short period of time to do something positive with our music. Haiti is going to need a lot of help for a very long time-this is a good way to show your support for Haiti while also enjoying some new music.