The heartbreaking news of the devastating wildfires that hit California over the past few days has brought the music community together more than ever. With many artists falling victim to the restless flames, those outside the tragedy are stepping up to aid the affected. Throughout this natural disaster, non-profits have been doing everything they can to send relief to the people hit by the restless flames. GoFundMe campaigns have been launched for individuals.
The city’s two affected areas, Palisades and Eaton, are known as musical hubs. Modern music legends have flocked to these areas to find solace from work and the busy LA scene. Legends from across genres and eras resided in the areas that experienced the devastation. Hip-hop artists like Madlib and Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith were affected, losing their homes to the flames. While artists like Kid Cudi, Cher, and Machinedrum were able to evacuate, others didn’t have the same warning.
As of today (January 17), the scope of the damage is still being estimated, but the most recent news shows that winds are slowing down. Glide has put together some links for those seeking help during these challenging times. Here are some highlighted GoFundMe campaigns for specific artists, while others include generalized fundraisers from non-profits. If you feel inclined, please use these links to show your support for the victims of these wildfires.
MusiCares campaign: https://donor.musicares.org/page/lafirerelief
Spreadsheet of Musicians affected by the fires here.
If you are a member of the music industry and are looking for help, Sweet Relief Music Funds is accepting applications for assistance and donations here: https://www.sweetrelief.org/naturaldisasterfund.html
Sweet Relief has also teamed up with California venue Paappy & Harriet’s, who will be donating $1 of every ticket sale towards relief. You can check out the venue’s upcoming shows here: https://pappyandharriets.com/live-music/
Madlib – https://donorbox.org/madlibrebuild
The multi-faceted icon Madlib lost his equipment and family home during the wildfires. LOVElikeWater, a non-profit, set up this fundraiser for the producer. In an Instagram post, the producer said he lost “decades of music and equipment in the devastating LA fires.
Chris Shiflett – GoFundMe
Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett was another victim of these fires. His house was destroyed during the natural disaster, and he is asking for support with health insurance and temporary housing.
Dawes – GoFundMe
The fires affected the brother duo of Griffin and Taylor Goldsmith. Giffin’s house was lost, Taylor’s home studio was lost, and his living house was significantly damaged. The duo took over the Jimmy Kimmel Live for a moving performance of their classic “Time Spent in Los Angeles” supporting MusiCares. There is an option to donate directly on the YouTube video, which you can find here. Dawes shared their story in an Instagram post, “Eight years of memories in this house. Twenty years of gear.”
Empress Of – GoFundMe
Lorely, known as Empress Of, lost her family home. The wildfires affected her mother’s home, a hub for the entire family. With no time to pack, almost all their belongings were lost. Lorely shared a post on her Instagram telling the story of the home that was lost. “My mom bought this house as a single mother and a nanny. I learned how to sing in this house. It’s a loss for me, but I can’t imagine what she feels.”
Zachary Cole Smith – GoFundMe
The wildfires affected DIIV member Zachary Cole Smith and his family, including his pregnant wife and young son. Their home, baby supplies, and music gear were all lost during this time.
The Amazing Music Store – GoFundMe
The Amazing Music Store is a cornerstone of the California music scene. During the evacuation, Owner Patrick Hildebrand was unable to recover personal photos. Hildebrand is still teaching music lessons over Zoom and is already looking to rebuild the store that meant so much to the community and himself.
Fat Tony – GoFundMe
Hip-hop artist Fat Tony was among the victims of these fires. He lost his Altadena home to the fires and has launched a GoFundMe for support. Any surplus from the campaign will be donated to the Pasadena Humane Society.
Larry LaLonde
Primus Guitarist Larry LaLonde took to Instagram to talk about the effects of the fire. “As the losses in this fire trickle into my brain, it feels like being hit with a bag of rocks over and over, but the people around us make me feel like the luckiest mother fucker on the planet to have these people in my life.” There is currently no donation campaign for the LaLonde family.
Adrian Smith
Legendary Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith and his family safely evacuated the fire before it reached their home. Natalie Dufrense-Smith, the heavy metal icon’s wife, shared footage of the smoke billowing from their neighborhood on Instagram. “We are safe, our neighbor finally left and is safe… The neighborhood?” read Dufrense-Smith’s post.
Jeffery Paradise – GoFundMe
Poolside frontman Jeffery Paradise called the Palisades home, but the fire took his home and recording studio in the recent tragedies. “It’s all gone. Every piece of gear. Every guitar. Every flier I saved. Every record I dug for. It’s all gone,” explains Paradise on the GoFundMe page linked above. Anyone who would like to donate can reach out to the band to receive some merch from the band. More information on the T-shirt can be found on the band’s Instagram.
One Response
That is not Chris Shiflett’s go fund me. The link is to another Christopher, his wife is Cara ant Aimee and he doesn’t have cancer. Do your research.