Discogs has announced that they will be donating all of the revenue made from sales on January 17 to those affected by the LA wildfires.
- READ MORE: LA music community tell us about “tragic” impact of wildfires: “This will be felt for years”
The raging fires first broke out last Tuesday (January 7) and have since destroyed thousands of homes – claiming the lives of 24 people to date. At least 16 people are said to be missing, and authorities expect that number to rise as cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighbourhoods.
Among those to lose their homes include the artists Jhené Aiko, Madlib, Diane Warren, Harry Mack, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, Tim Darcy of the Canadian rock groups Cola and Ought, pop duo Brijean, 30 Seconds To Mars guitarist and musical director Stevie Aiello, and Beyonce‘s mother Tina Knowles.
Many others, including Kid Cudi, Bebe Rexha and Guapdad 4000, have shared that they had to evacuate their homes as the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires continue to spread.
The online marketplace for music collectors shared a statement on their official website revealing that all of their revenue made on January 17 will be donated directly to MusiCares – the Recording Academy’s nonprofit organisation which has been focusing on supporting artists and music industry workers with evacuation, relocation, medical care, mental health services and more during the ongoing natural disaster.
According to a press release, Discogs executive Jeffrey Smith said: “Our hearts are with Los Angeles during this unimaginable time. The resilience and generosity of the music community are truly inspiring, reminding us how powerful we can be when we come together.
Recommended
“This Friday, every record purchased will support independent sellers and small businesses worldwide while also helping a wonderful nonprofit dedicated to rebuilding and uplifting LA’s music scene. Let’s turn our shared love of music into meaningful action for those who need it most.”
Recently, Over 1,000 people within the music community in Los Angeles have been supported by Musicares following the fatal wildfires that have ravaged parts of the Californian city.
Speaking to NME about how the non-profit is supporting the community in LA, Theresa Wolters, Vice President for Health and Human Services at MusiCares, said, said: “What’s been shocking to me, going through the contact we’ve had, is just the number of people who have lost everything.”
She continued: “It’s almost impossible to describe the magnitude of the catastrophe and the loss in Los Angeles. We had no way of imagining it was going to be at the level it is now. Even what we saw Wednesday morning was horrifying.
“They’re so clearly traumatised and struggling. All they write is one sentence: ‘I lost everything – I left with my family in five minutes, and everything’s gone’.”
She continued: “I’m reading a lot of stories of parents and how they’re trying to navigate this with their children. How do they explain to their kids that everything’s gone? That’s been incredibly difficult. And when you work in music what do you take with you? Do you grab as much of your equipment and instruments as you can? Or do you just hope it’s going to be there when you get back?”
Elsewhere, Fender have announced that they are committing $100,000 to help replace instruments and gear lost to the disaster.
Taking to their official Instagram account, Fender shared a post that read: “We are devastated by the fires continuing to rage across Los Angeles – a city that many of our employees and artist communities call home. As a Southern California guitar-maker for over 75 years, we are struggling to process what our diverse and deep-rooted music scene has lost. We grieve alongside you.
“To those affected: we are committed to finding immediate and impactful ways to support you, today and in the days to come. To the first responders: thank you for your tireless fight to contain these fires and keep our city safe.”
They continued, writing: “We know how important music is – not just to an artist’s livelihood, but to every player’s health and happiness,” it states. “We are initially committing $100,000 to this effort. We will respond and help replenish requests to the best of our abilities.”
Fender have shared a form on their website in which musician can submit their details if they have “lost an instrument or gear”.
Guitar Center have also stepped forward to help those suffering from the LA wildfires. Their new program will help musicians replace their instruments or gear who have lost them in the natural disaster.
The new initiative created by the instrument company will run from now until February 28 and will see it and its Guitar Center Music Foundation offer musicians affected by the wildfires a special one-time grant that will allow them to replace their destroyed instruments or gear.
In order to qualify for the grant, musicians and programs applying will have to meet several criteria: they will have to be LA-based, may have to provide proof of loss or address and will have to set up an account to apply. The grant does not offer cash, only offering to replace instruments or gear. Additionally, there is a US$1,500 cap for each applicant.
To find out more or apply for the grant, visit here.
Elsewhere, members of the LA music community recently spoke to NME about being hit hard by the fatal wildfires that continue to burn throughout the city.
“A couple of my artists, like Keyon Harrold, had to go across town to a hotel, while a lot of people have gone to the desert,” Adrian Miller, Managing Partner of xla content + management + tech, said. “These are individuals that live and thrive in Los Angeles.”
“Witnessing the destruction of several production and recording facilities, as well as the displacement of countless families, artists, small businesses and restaurants, has deeply moved us,” Jeff Greenberg, owner and CEO of LA’s world famous Village Studios, shared. “Studios and venues are the lifeblood of creativity in this city, and losing them feels like losing a part of our collective identity. It’s especially devastating at this point to consider how many in our community have been uprooted or have lost everything.”