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Music News

Friends and Community Members Launch Fundraisers For Musicians Affected By L.A. Wildfires

Tim Darcy of the Canadian bands Cola and Ought, Zachary Cole Smith of the L.A. band DIIV, and pop duo Brijean are some of the many Los Angeles residents who have lost homes in the fires.

Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Firefighters watch the flames from the Palisades Fire burning a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Friends and community are rallying to support musicians facing devastating losses in the Los Angeles wildfires.

Tim Darcy, of the Canadian rock groups Cola and Ought, lost his home in the Eaton Fire. A GoFundMe has been launched to support the musician and his partner Amy Fort.


"Amy and Tim are two of the kindest, most generous, talented, special, beautiful people. Let's come together and help them recover from this devastating event. We know they would do the same for us," states the GoFundMe.

Nearly 180,000 people are under evacuation in Los Angeles as fires rage in several neighbourhoods. Many musicians are sharing fundraisers for friends, collaborators and loved ones affected.

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Pop duo Brijean lost their home and music studio in the same Eaton Fire as Darcy. A GoFundMe is raising 70K for the couple. Fundraisers have also been set up to support rapper Anthony Obi, who releases music as Fat Tony, as well as Zachary Cole Smith of rock band DIIV, who lost his music gear with his home.

Musicians' advocacy group UMAW shared resources from Mutual Aid LA Network, with information about shelter, animal boarding and where to find free items.

MusiCares (which has pledged $1 million with the Recording Academy in aid for music professionals affected) is encouraging musicians affected by the fires to get in touch at musicaresrelief@musicares.org or 1-800-687-4227 for possible access to emergency funds.

The fires have also forced cancellation and postponement of major events including the Oscar nominations announcement. Find a full list here. Head here for a list of organizations providing relief for music industry workers.

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Yung Kai
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Yung Kai

Concerts

Yung Kai Sails Into Toronto, Florence + The Machine Screams for Montreal: Canadian Concerts of the Week

Plus, Vancouver indie rockers Said The Whale celebrate 20 years with a hometown show, RAYE brings her acclaimed new album to Laval and Toronto and more.

In support of his debut album, Stay With the Ocean, I’ll Find You, Yung Kai is hitting up Toronto to play a sold-out at show at The Mod Club. While the B.C.-native kicked off his career on TikTok — thanks to the success of his viral hit “Blue” — he has grown his audience IRL, expanding his fanbase across Canada and beyond.

Also this week, Vancouver indie rock band Said The Whale plays a hometown gig to celebrate their 20th anniversary and rising Toronto-born pop singer Tiffany Day celebrates her sophomore record with an album release show in Toronto. Then, U.K. singer RAYE heads to Laval and Toronto, in support of her latest album, This Music May Contain Hope and Florence + The Machine creeps into Montreal and Toronto to play songs from their latest record, Everybody Scream.

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