The wildfires that broke out in and around Los Angeles earlier this month have left many communities devastated.
The loss of life, homes, animals and agriculture hits the hardest. Artists and musicians are only part of those affected, but the loss of their work and livelihood is equally dispiriting. Here are a few ways to help with the incentive of music.
For Our Friends: A Disaster Relief Compilation by Aloha Got Soul
Aloha Got Soul, the label based out of Honolulu, Hawai’i, put out a benefit comp after their home was ravaged by wildfires in 2023. For Our Friends: A Disaster Relief Compilation is their helping hand reaching across the Pacific. Most of the 52 tracks are unreleased offerings from artists on the label and other friends in and around the Big Island. The digital album starts at $10 with all proceeds going towards a charity yet to be decided.
Love Los Angeles is an 88-track compilation led by The Album Leaf. Put together by Hit The North Records, an independent label out of LA, the digital-only album features a range of artists. The cover artwork was designed by SoCal designer, Adam Sabolick, with a fireman washed out in Dodgers colors. Every sale will go directly to the Mutual Aid LA Network. There are a number of other helpful links provided at the bottom of the album’s information box on Bandcamp.
Staying: Leaving Records Aid to Artists Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires by Various Aritsts
Another Los Angeles label is Leaving. Their output is titled Staying: Leaving Records Aid to Artists Impacted by the Los Angeles Wildfires. At 98 tracks digitally, the album features a new track from Andre 3000 with Carlos Nino and others. The compilation is also available with a parsed down tracklist as a three-cassette set, or a double-LP to be shipped in the spring. Total proceeds here will be split: 50% will be funneled to musicians and artists in need, and the other half will be offered to black communities affected. There is also a long Google Docs spreadsheet filled with artists, musicians and others in the industry you can donate to. It is being maintained by Motor Mouth Media. Check that out here.
For LA Vol 1 and For LA Vol 2 are two collections spread across the ambient, electronic, and modern classical genres. The mix is an ongoing curation by musicians Keith and Hollie Kenniff, whose own groups include Helios, Goldmund and Mint Julep. They will be donating the total sales to the organizations, We Are Moving the Needle and Give Directly. Highlights from Vol 1 include tracks by The Album Leaf, Hammock, Baths, and others. Vol 2′s main prize are three tracks from Ryuichi Sakamoto, two being live in Los Angeles. Vol 3 is being completed now and will be available in the coming weeks.
A number of upcoming concerts will also serve as fundraisers for those impacted. Coming up first is FireAid, this Thursday, January 30. Starring some of the biggest musicians, the concert will take place across two venues, the Intuit Dome and the KIA Forum. Billie Eilish, Earth Wind & Fire, Rod Stewart, Sting, No Doubt, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nick, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are only some of the acts scheduled. Usually these big-time events will inspire some last-minute collaborations. FireAid will be broadcast live across every major streaming platform.
Next, on Saturday, February 8, is I Love LA, put together by Sid the Cat. Taking place at Glendale Presbyterian Church, the event will send proceeds to the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Performers include Andrew Bird, Bright Eyes, Dirty Projectors’ David Longstreth, Delicate Steve, Ethan Tasch, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Kelcey Ayer, Kevin Morby, Lucius, Madison Cunningham, the Milk Carton Kids, Molly Burch, Strawberry Guy, Uwade, and Watkins Family Hour.
G*ve a F*ck LA is set for Sunday, February 5, at LA’s Hollywood Palladium. St. Vincent, Halley Williams, Perfume Genius, Christopher Owens, Fred Armisen, Courtney Barnett, Phantom Planet and others are scheduled to perform. The event will be hosted by Jon C. Reilly with all funds benefiting Altadena Girls, Friends in Deed, One Voice, and Pasadena Humane Society. Another show also booked at the Palladium for Thursday, February 13 boasts headliners Blink-182 and Alkaline Trio. All proceeds will go to Pasadena Humane Society, California Fire Department, LAFD Foundation, and ARC Firefighter Fund.
