January 15th, 2025
What a week it's been out here in Los Angeles. The devastation has been more immense, and farther-reaching than anyone here could ever have imagined. I'm not exaggerating when I say each day that passes, I learn about another friend or colleague who has lost their home. It's just incredible. As anyone who has experienced a natural disaster knows, you feel overwhelmed. If you've been displaced, you are overwhelmed trying to figure out what's next. If you are fortunate enough to be spared, you are overwhelmed with anxiety, wondering if you'd be next, mixed with the need to help. It was right in the middle of that feeling when I received the most wonderful email from Paul Steele and our friends at Triple8 Management. It was a helping hand reaching out from two thousand miles away and it was just what we needed, a mix of compassion and practical information, put together by an amazing group of people with big hearts who wanted to help, and I'd like to share it with you all now. Thanks so much to Paul and everyone who helped create this list.
I'm certain everyone knows someone affected by the LA fires, possibly you yourself. Over 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders. I am saddened and overwhelmed seeing the images.
In an effort to do something, anything, I'm putting together a list of possibly helpful links that have been shared online all in one place.
If you have a GoFundMe for you or your friend or colleague, send it to me, please.
Judy Miller Silverman put together a Google Doc for music industry people that are affected by the fires. We will do our best to donate to as many of the GoFundMe's in this Google Doc as we can over the next week. Feel free to send around to get people added to it! Email Judy for additions: judy@motormouthmedia.com
Zoe Gillespie from Capitol is using her brand network to activate brands for free stuff and connect with the people that need it, via a Google Form, here.
MusiCares Foundation is offering financial assistance to anyone 3+ years in the industry:
musicaresrelief@musicares.org
1-800-687-4227
Mutual Aid LA put together a very large list of shelters, donation drives, meals, animal boarding, charging stations, etc here.
Housing:
- AirBnb / 211 LA teamed up to offer Temporary housing for wildfire-impacted individuals
- Kevin Casini made a Google Doc of LA Hotels assisting with housing folks, here.
- Furnished Leases broken down by suburb, here.
Transport:
Lyft - free rides up to $25 (Code: cafirerelief25)
Uber - free rides up to $40 (Code: wildfire25)
Family Time Centers is doing free mental health therapy to anyone directly impacted by the fires.
www.familytimecenters.com
818.821.6012
I believe Backline is doing something similar for touring crew.
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund:
https://www.sweetrelief.org/naturaldisasterfund.html
Regarding sending donations if you are able:
This organization was referenced a lot online as one to support:
www.supportlafd.org - Support Los Angeles Fire Department on the front lines of the fire fighting with PPE, tools, supplies, food
With MusiCares giving money directly to folks, worth supporting: https://musicares.org/?form=donate
These are the highest rated orgs on Charity Navigator that are local to the region - all 98%-100% rating:
Community Organized Relief Effort
Pasadena Community Foundation
California Community Foundation
Entertainment Industry Foundation
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
Pasadena Humane
Direct Relief
The LA Times had a large list of orgs with information about them.
It Takes a Village With Dan Pearson and Lakeside Entertainment Group
In this installment of It Takes a Village, we are featuring Dan Pearson of Lakeside Entertainment Group. Dan was an early believer in What's In-Store Music, and we have been working closely with him and his team for the past seven and a half years. During that time one of the things we've admired is the wide variety of opportunities he provides his clients. Radio, syncs, TV, live performances, streaming, social media, A&R, and more. Dan and his team provide all of the label services that are needed to compete at the highest level and advance the profiles of their clients. Some of their recent independent success stories include having LANY, Lawrence, Charlotte Sands, Olivia Lunny and others on the Mediabase and Billboard TOP 40 charts over the past two years.
"Lakeside was launched in 2016 as a Label Services and Management Company. We are currently entering into our tenth year! I would consider our superpowers our passion, persistence, and the ability to turn a "no" into a "yes"!
I think our team is best at creating meaningful opportunities for our clients regardless of how established they may already be.
There are so many things I like about what we do. The relationships with our clients at radio, the labels, managers, and across the industry mean the world to me and in many cases go back 20+ years. Being able to work with so many people I consider friends and loyal partners every day is not something I take for granted. I also really love working with all different kinds of musicians, songwriters, and artists, but especially developing artists. The process of taking a band or song and introducing it to a mass audience, and then hearing that song at sporting events, on the radio or tv, or in-stores is a very proud and special feeling!"
- Dan Pearson
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
ft. Vince Gill
"Green Light"
On DPD
Newly Added to The Hit The Gym Spotify Playlist
Circle The Earth
"Maniac On Mute"
DRMAGDN
"Say Less Be More"
What's In-Store Music has added a new Spotify playlist called What's In-Store Music Hits The Gym. It features the fantastic artists and songs placed in the Planet Fitness program. Please enjoy responsibly.
What's In-Store Music Artists have been heard in these fine locations!
David Kushner
"Darkerside"
On Virgin Music Group
Band of Silver
"Lifting The Curtain"
"'Lifting the Curtain' is about exposing someone for their lies and manipulation. I pulled inspiration from several people from different points in my life, though not all of those ended in a dramatic reveal."
- Band of Silver
Submit Your High Energy Top40, Dance, EDM, Alternative, or Latin Dance Song
Here For The Planet Fitness Playlist!
Added at Planet Fitness
408
"Over The Edge"
RadWulf
"No Stopping"
Click the banner to download the app!
On The Moves
Keep an ear out for these terrific songs playing overhead in stores everywhere.
PTtheGospelSpitter ft. PreacherMan
"Save Your Soul"
408
"Over The Edge"
Stars Go Dim
"Mama Don't Lie (Alright)"
Melanie Pfirrman
"Okay"
Blanca
"Even At My Worst"
almost monday
"Jupiter"
Click the banner to learn more!
Video of the Week:
Cage Willis
"Wonderin' Why"
Don't Believe In Ghosts
"Brooklyn Baby"
Out & About with kylekelly
At Hotel Ziggy on January 7th, 2025 in West Hollywood, CA
Tuesday, January 7th, was a night to remember in West Hollywood, as WFNM (We Found New Music, w/Grant Owen) presented another terrific showcase at Hotel Ziggy. Standout performers included Ariana Molkara, a very groovy MAEJOY, and the main event, our client, kylekelly! Kyle's mix of confidence and vulnerability was perfect, and the audience ate it up. Songs like "My Little Heart" (currently playing overhead in stores) and the newly released "Priscilla", received great responses from the audience. It was fun to watch this kid take command of the room that way at such an early stage in his career. Thank you to producer/manager, Jeffery David, for turning us on to the fantastic new artist.
Have a great week,
Scott Emerson