20 Methods You Can Assist or Donate to the Ukraine Disaster With Music
The outpouring of assist and assist to the Ukraine since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded in late February has been actually astonishing to this point, each in Europe and overseas. With round the clock asylum facilities arrange in Poland, Bulgaria, Czechia and Romania, donation facilities for meals, garments, private merchandise et cetera trucking provides into Ukraine day by day and hundreds of residents opening their properties to asylum seekers in neighboring international locations, everybody has shifted into assist mode as shortly as attainable.
There have even been tales of individuals renting AirB&Bs in Ukraine with no intention to go to simply so the house owners might use the cash and others sending Cryptocurrency to mates to transform in each Ukraine and Russia as banks and monetary establishments like Visa and Mastercard degree financial sanctions on the space. However should you’re a bit farther away or don’t have as many assets to offer, how can one assist the trouble? The reply, as is so usually the case, is music.
Musicians within the EDM and bass music scenes stepped as much as maintain the entire world entertained throughout COVID and in addition raised huge quantities of cash for charities who had been attempting to assist these in want through the disaster. Whereas we’re simply on the cusp of that nightmare ending, artists have stepped up as soon as once more, even these within the embattled areas and who’ve already misplaced all the pieces to shelling from Putin’s forces in their very own cities or have been conscripted into navy service, to make music and donate the proceeds to assist. It’s actually inspiring, so the least us followers can do is to hear, go to occasions and buy mentioned music, no? Fortunately, there’s no scarcity of artists who’re doing charity releases for Ukraine and in addition those that are quietly donating all their proceeds to charity. There’s virtually no finish to the alternative ways we because the EDM neighborhood can assist. The next listing is only a few of them.
Ukraine Assist Compilation Albums
Proper now that is most likely the preferred technique to give to varied charities supporting the Ukraine; a great deal of labels, promo corporations and even particular person persons are placing collectively bit comps with massive names and elevating massive bucks. Right here’s just a few we like, however test your favourite label or artist and chances are high they’ll be concerned in one in every of these:
ШЩЦ/SHITS Numerous Artists 01
ШЩЦ actually interprets to “Shits” and is a brand new label out of Ukraine who determined to dedicate their first compilation album, initially launched in 2019, to the protection effort in Ukraine, doing a income match program and thus 200% of proceeds going to the Ukraine Civil Protection Fund. The restricted version DVD is at present offered out however these wanting to assist can buy the streaming album, which options tracks from 23 Ukraine-based artists of various genres from hip hop to experimental electronica. The label can also be promoting t-shirts whose proceeds may also go to the identical fund. The acquisition choice on the ШЩЦ Bandcamp web page is title your individual value, so that you may give actually any quantity and get some sick music in return. The label additionally lists their e mail on the location so should you’re involved in inquiring after the DVD or different methods to assist, they are often contacted there.
Collectively With Ukraine
That is doubtless one of many largest drum & bass compilations ever, with a whopping 136 tracks from 149 artists and that includes some cheeky alt bass music from acts like Subp Yao, Modestep and Om Unit, this extremely inventive and numerous album got here collectively extremely quick. This hyperspeed coordination was spearheaded by two promoters: Rhys Bainham and Vlad Baremchuk and the mega-album launched lower than every week after the primary invasion. It has already raised over 100,000 {dollars} and all proceeds right here go on to the Ukrainian Purple Cross Society, which desperately wants all the assistance it could get tending to wounded and displaced households. When bought on the Collectively With Ukraine Bandcamp web page, the digital album comes with mp3 or wav downloads and 30 items of authentic cowl artwork from undertaking artwork director Uno. The entire thing’s solely £12, so greater than price it.
Fundraiser V/A – We Are Invincible
Ukrainian dance music label Hall Audio have put collectively a compilation album made up completely of tracks from Ukrainian artists. Launched simply earlier than the primary Russian invasion, the label determined to re-brand the comp and dedicate all proceeds to serving to households and charities affected by the struggle. Largely home and straight beat-based, this compilation showcases the extraordinary expertise of Ukrainian artist with a great deal of minimal, experimental and techno type that many EDM followers exterior of Ukraine and Japanese Europe might not be aware of. This compilation additionally appears to be very purposefully organized, telling a narrative and taking the listener on a sonic journey, a’la all the most effective experimental-tinged electronica albums. Now it additionally tells the story of the Ukrainian peoples resilience and the significance of saving the valuable artwork of this nation. The 24-track album could be bought on Hall’s Bandcamp web page.
РАЗОМ ЗА УКРАЇНУ/Collectively for Ukraine
To not be confused with Collectively With Ukraine, this compilation is one other enormous one put collectively shortly from Kiev-based label Normal Deviation and the considerably clandestine “Chernobyl-based” imprint, Mystictrax. Whereas it’s unlikely this Mystictrax is definitely working out of a “closed scientific laboratory in Chernobyl” and “learning the paranmal audio exercise across the phenomenon of black holes,” quite a lot of the music on this comp definitely sounds prefer it comes from someplace equally chaotic and dystopian. Given the state of affairs across the space in the meanwhile, it’s virtually plausible.
In Collectively for Ukraine, we get our first tastes of the erstwhile gabber style, extra loopy experimental east-of-Urals funk and a few actually magical home tracks. Along with that, with this compilation we see our first energetic donations to LGBT causes in Ukraine. If Russia wins this combat, the LGBT neighborhood in Ukraine can be beneath critical risk, so it’s nice to see Normal Deviation and Mystictrax coming with this degree of foresight. Income from this and different releases by each labels will go to The ‘Return Alive’ Fund, serving to on the Ukrainian entrance, Nationwide Financial institution of Ukraine Fundraising Account for Humanitarian Help, ‘Ukraine Pleasure’ Fund for LGBTQIA+ troopers and LGBTQIA+ folks affected by the struggle and ‘Голос Дітей’ Fund, serving to youngsters affected by the struggle. The album is purchasable on Normal Deviation’s Bandcamp web page.
EXHALE: Collectively for Ukraine!
For an providing just a little extra recognizable to US followers, rave techno goddess and Exhale Information label head Amelie Lens rallied her troops to drop EXHALE: Collectively for Ukraine! Simply a few weeks in the past. Proceeds right here go on to the Ukranian Ministry of Social Coverage, the federal government physique channeling as many funds a assets as they’ll to probably the most affected areas of the battle. This album, like all Lens’s work, is unsurprisingly and unapologetically ravey and techno-tinged, that includes tracks from herself, Ahl Iver, Sarah Landry, Nico Moreno and Frazi,er, to call only a few. This album additionally took the time to essentially conscript tracks that had been impressed by the heavy power of this battle, so no punches pulled right here. Simply uncooked, rave techno and an intention to assist in one of the best ways musicians like Lens understand how. EXHALE: Collectively for Ukraine! could be bought on Bandcamp or Soundcloud, the place there’s additionally a hyperlink to donate on to the fund.
Particular person Artists Supporting Ukrainian Charities
Whereas the massive compilation albums are getting quite a lot of press and elevating a great deal of cash for the trouble of serving to Ukranian residents, there’s a great deal of particular person artists who’re attempting to champion the trigger in their very own methods as effectively. Each little bit counts, as they are saying, and within the case of those bits, we will uncover some cool new music whereas serving to out. As soon as once more, there are too many to listing, however listed here are 5 cool artists donating money and time to the humanitarian effort in Ukraine and you’ll too, simply by listening.
Rezz and Subtronics – Puzzle Field
Wager you didn’t know that each these EDM monsters are Ukrainian. Terror techno queen Rezz and Cyclops label head Subtronics teamed up for this observe to boost consciousness and funds for the charity Voices of Youngsters Ukraine. The observe was launched as a joint effort on Cyclops and Deadbeats in early March together with a restricted version t-shirt on the Deadbeats web site (at present offered out). Rezz and Subtronics apparently teased the collab previous to the invasion of Ukraine however shortly made it a press release piece for the battle, and its creepy, surreal, Noticed-like vibes appear to suit completely with the surreal nature of the state of affairs within the embattled EU state. Hyperlink for the t-shirt is listed above in case Deadbeats determine to do a second run, and followers can get the observe right here or donate on to Voices of Youngsters right here.
Rido – Can You See Me Respiratory
The Czech D&B producer, composer and renaissance man referred to as Rido tends to march to the beat of his personal very well-crafted and syncopated drums, so he’s deigned to launch his charity observe on his personal Bandcamp so he could be certain the funds go to the place he feels they’re wanted most. “Can You See Me Respiratory” is a heart-wrenchingly stunning, classical violin-laced observe Rido whipped up proper after the primary invasion. Buy proceeds go to the Czech group Člověk v tísni – SOS Ukraine and the observe is listed for €2 euros on Rido’s Bandcamp, so it’s a really reasonably priced donation as effectively.
VovKING – Futurist Drum & Bass Pattern Pack
This one’s for the producers! Ukraine- primarily based D&B producer and one half of the melodic and dancy RAM, Viper and Unhealthy Style duo Tapolsky and VovKING has determined to donate all proceeds of his newest royalty-free pattern pack to charities serving to humanitarian efforts within the Ukraine. His promo firm even waived their charges to verify as a lot cash goes to assist as attainable. Since going solo, VovKING’s stuff has change into increasingly more experimental and futuristic, so this massive pack of pattern stems guarantees infinite prospects. Get it right here.
Sally C – Huge Saldo’s Chunkers 002 EP
Berlin-based home artist Sally C was on the brink of launch the second installment of her Huge Saldo’s Chunkers collection of EPs when the battle in Ukraine started. The primary one in 2020 was a large success, to Sally C determined one of the best ways she might assist was to donate proceeds to charity from this second instalment, which releases this month on April 22. With the vinyl and CD copies already offered out three weeks earlier than the drop, it appears she was proper that this launch would generate quite a lot of assist cash. Proceeds from this funky home EP will go to the neighborhood fund being raised by her favourite Kiev membership, ∄ and to Bridges Over Berlin, a charity in Germany serving to LGBTQIA+, BiPOC and different marginalized asylum seekers from Ukraine. Pre-order the digital Huge Saldo’s Chunkers 002 on her Bandcamp web page.
Erica Synths Donating from {Hardware} Purchases
There are virtually infinite labels and artists donating their proceeds to the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, however Latvian premium synth producer Eric Synths has heeded the decision as effectively, having generated over $50,000 for assist organizations as of the top of March. Should you’re in search of some new gear, Erica occurs to be among the finest synth corporations for EDM on the market, and what a bonus to have the ability to donate on the identical time. If that weren’t sufficient, Erica’s efforts are partnered by Noise Engineering, so should you’re a producer you may doubtlessly donate twice: as soon as along with your gear and as soon as should you use Noize as you engineers. Discuss an environment friendly use of assets these of us within the music trade would use anyway. Noise and Erica’s efforts are half of a bigger undertaking referred to as Musicians for Peace, which is sending donations to Stand With Ukraine although the Latvian web site ziedot.lv and consists of plenty of modules on the Erica web site. Noise can be matching donations as much as $10,000.
Purchase Ukrainan (or Russian)
Should you’re like quite a lot of us and wish to attempt to get as a lot assist straight into the fingers of Ukrainian artists who could also be caught within the battle, a few of whom, while nonetheless attempting to gig and produce, are actually actively enlisted within the navy. Some are nonetheless attempting to assist their households who’ve fled to neighboring international locations and a few have even misplaced properties and family members to bombing.
It’s that actual for a few of our favourite EDM artists proper now, and issues are additionally fairly dire for Russian artists. At this level with all of the propaganda and misinformation techniques firing on either side, it’s onerous to make heads or tails of who helps Putin’s agenda, however many Russian artists don’t, and since corporations like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, main banks and even smaller cash switch companies like Sensible and Revolut have pulled their enterprise out of Russia as a kind or financial sanction, artists who don’t have anything to do with Putin’s agenda are actually locked out of their very own cash and so they can’t straight ask for assist as a result of present controls on free speech during which, in response to one Russian artist residing exterior of Russia, one can’t even say the phrase “struggle” with out presumably being in bother.
The next listing consists of some methods to get funds to each Ukranian and Russian artists who’re struggling within the battle by buying or supporting their music, nevertheless on the Russian facet, we advocate not contacting artists who’re residing in Russia straight on platforms like Instagram or TikTok for their very own security and the protection of their households. For the Ukrainian artists and labels we’re listed, many of those are additionally within the class above of donating funds to charities, so should you’d prefer to know what you’re supporting, reaching out on social media or their Patreons is okay.
Big Spreadsheet
Just about for the reason that battle started, Bandcamp arrange an open GoogleDocs spreadsheet of all of the Ukranian artists who’ve on-line releases and assets that followers can donate to or buy. That is the most effective place to take heed to new music of all genres and purchase Ukranian. Additionally anybody who is aware of of artists who want a hand is invited so as to add names and emails to the listing. There’s some fairly cool stuff on right here, each EDM and in any other case, and the admins of the spreadsheet are monitoring for authenticity. Test the entire listing right here. We’ve included a observe beneath from one in every of our favorites on the listing, experimental breakbeat/jungle/multigenre artist €omfortle$$.
Artist Patreons
That is one technique to circumnavigate a few of the tough financial pratfalls of donating to struggling artists on either side of Putin’s strains, as Patreon often deposits straight into financial institution accounts, PayPals and even Crypto accounts. Should you’ve been pondering of supporting a Ukranian or Russian artist’s Patreon, now’s the time to do it. Under are just a few we all know might use the assistance.
Teddy Killerz – Everybody’s favourite murderous plushie neuro trio is comprised of two members from Russia and one from Ukraine, in order that they’re in a really distinctive place however doing amazingly effectively at maintaining with gigs and content material. They’re additionally working to assist their different Ukrainian and Russian artist brethren as a lot as they’ll. Should you’re a neurohead and need nice content material or merch, subscribe to one of many TK Patreon tiers right here. Additionally you should definitely take a look at their new album and podcast on Eatbrain.
Ukraine Dancing – It is a Patreon account that posts unique mixes, tracks and tutorials from a wealth of Ukranian dance artists and which has pledged to assist carry consciousness and donate proceeds to humanitarian efforts. Podcasts and different information belongings are additionally on this account, so it’s an excellent place to get information from the entrance straight from a Ukranian supply. Related to the worldwide KissFm radio present and podcast. Subscribe right here.
Agressor Bunx – Gotta go neuro as soon as once more, and it’s no shock, actually. Neuro has all the time had a stronghold in Japanese Europe and Russia and naturally the Ukranian brothers Agressor Bunx are amongst neuro followers’ faves. The AG boys have a singular function on their web page the place they may provide suggestions and assist to aspiring producers on WIPs in addition to unique mixes and a great deal of different goodies. Subscribe right here and take a look at their most up-to-date album beneath.
Crowdsourcing – That is the place connecting with artists on social media is perhaps one thing extra actively-thinking followers can do. See in case your favourite label is doing something to assist artists within the Ukraine or if artists have one thing up for themselves, and if not, anybody can begin a GoFundMe. Listed here are a pair we discovered serving to artists affected by or conscripted into the battle:
Peace for Ukraine, a collective of musicians elevating cash for the charity Distasters Emergency Committee, primarily based out of the UK. Learn extra and donate right here.
Assist Assist Misplaced Ukranian Musicians, began by a classical pianist in Europe. Learn extra and donate right here.
Occasions and Livestreams
In fact as soon as of probably the most enjoyable methods to assist with the humanitarian wants in Ukraine and different affected areas is to go to occasions that are donating to the trigger. There have already been plenty of fairly profitable occasions held by the likes of DJ Magazine in London Entire Pageant in Berlin and Musicians United in Portland. A lot of artists, labels and promotions corporations are additionally placing on livestreams so followers can donate straight whereas the livestream is going on, whereas Bandcamp and Beatport are gearing up for extra low cost donation days. These are only a few occasions world wide, however you should definitely test what’s taking place in your metropolis and maintain an eye fixed out for extra livestreams developing out of your favourite artists and labels.
Collectively With Ukraine, April 15:
Organized by the identical promoters who put collectively the compilation album, the day-long Collectively With Ukraine occasion will function artists from mentioned album suck as London Elektricty, SCAR, Halogenix, Jumpin Jack Frost and Makoto, amongst others. Proceeds can be cut up between the Ukranian Purple Cross Society and Music Saves UA charities. Tickets are fairly affordable for such an enormous lineup and could be bought at EventBrite.
Stand Up for Ukraine – World Social Media Rally, April 8 and 9 The worldwide assist and consciousness group World Citizen has conscripted the assistance of music and social media’s brightest stars like Billie Eilish, The Weekend, U2 and Madonna for a worldwide pledging drive. Completely different than a livestream or in-person occasion, followers can be handled to pop-up and impromptu performances, giveaways and different treats from the collaborating artists in a push to get as many pledges as attainable to assist. Be taught extra right here.
Although there have been murmurings about stop hearth talks, the battle between Vladimir Putin’s forces in Russia and the Ukraine nonetheless appears to be very a lot energetic. Even when there have been a cease-fire right now, the necessity for aid and rebuilding will doubtless go on for months after the battle ends. These are only a few methods to assist via music, however please additionally contemplate donating to your favourite charity or volunteering for aid organizations. For much more artists, labels and music to find and assist, take a look at the large listing DJ Magazine has going as effectively and watch your favourite artists and labels for once they name for assist. Right here’s hoping for a fast finish to the battle and extra organizations, promoters, labels, et al to step up.