Those
of you who follow this blog (Hi Dave, hi Keith) might remember that
this time last year I was busily engaged in putting together an EP
of original music with the idea of raising money for Syrian refugees
–
http://jmguitartuition.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-big-xmas-idea-2013-songs-for-syria.html.
Well,
we managed it, and once again many thanks to all those involved.
Didn't manage to knock Simon Cowell's latest chew toy off the Number
1 spot, but we still finished the job and got everyone's tracks
released on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/songs-for-syria-ep/id786780236
So,
this year, it's bigger and better. Everyone has either written a song
or contributed to some one else's – we've got everything from
guitar pop to blues, orchestral metal to a synthesiser based Robot
Love Opera along with the most badass fusion of metal, banjo and
opera that you ever did hear (no, I'm not exaggerating).
I've
also chosen a bigger and better-known charity – UNICEF, who are
recognised worldwide as the leading organisation for children in over
190 countries. So there's a nice symmetry- kids as young as 11 or 12
writing songs to help kids of a similar age in war-torn Syria or
Ebola-hit Sierra Leone, and in the process gaining skills, experience
and confidence.
We've
also got more established local musicians (myself included) donating
tracks, a very good artist fiend of mine has donated us a cover –
all on a budget of literally £0. So with no overheads, all the money
goes straight to UNICEF.
Now,
of course all the good intentions in the world will count for nothing
unless we can get this stuff out there. Mainstream local media
outlets have so far ignored this story, so we're going to have to do
it ourselves. You don't need to send money, you don't need to do
anything apart from tell people. We've got a Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/lmcxmas,
so go “like” us and share with absolutely everyone you can – we
also have a Twitter hashtag #winterwonderland2014.
The album will be around about the £5 mark when it comes out and
really does showcase a huge range of local talent, so if you were
going to shell out for whatever X-factor winner releases, do yourself
a favour and buy this too (or instead...).
The
goal we've set is to sell a thousand copies – a thousand copies at
£5 each means £5000 for UNICEF. That's an awful lot of Ebola
treatments. That's an awful lot of clean water treatments. That's
lives saved. AND you
get a pretty damn good album for your trouble. Check out the link for a free track from Dave The Rock Band: https://soundcloud.com/jm-guitar-tuition/because-of-you
So
I implore absolutely everybody who reads this – spread the word. We
can make a difference.
