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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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Canada Announces $600 Million Investment in Music and Media Amidst Online Streaming Act Controversy
Photo by Tech Daily on Unsplash
Streaming

Canada Announces $600 Million Investment in Music and Media Amidst Online Streaming Act Controversy

As the U.S. government and major online streamers like Spotify and Apple Music push back against the so-called "streaming tax," the Canadian federal government will make its own investment to "provide stability and immediate support to Canada’s audio and audiovisual sectors."

The Canadian government is stepping in to support Canadian music and media amidst debates around the Online Streaming Act.

This morning (June 3), the government announced that it will offer immediate financial support for music, audio and audiovisual media with a $600 million yearly investment. The release says funding will "provide stability and immediate support to Canada’s audio and audiovisual sectors and keep our culture accessible and affordable for all Canadians."

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