After graduating from the
University of Massachusetts Amherst, the five members of
Sasha & the Valentines briefly dispersed. Throughout college, the quintet formed an orbit of musical projects to play university parties. Time spent apart inspired singer
Sarah Addi to begin writing her own songs and developing a haunting, velvety vocal depth. I was out in Hawaii working on a farm, and all I wanted to do was play shows, remembers drummer
Billy Hickey. Separated from my gear and my friends, that time away made me realize, Alright, I m going to go do that.
JB Bergin grew up with Hickey.
Austin 360
With increased vaccine availability, large shows slated to return to Austin next month and a slew of touring concerts on the books for fall, there s a light at the end of the tunnel for music industry backline employees. But many of the people who run lights and sound and provide other unseen support work for the concerts we enjoy are still out of work.
The nonprofit group Musically Fed works to combat hunger through donations of unused backstage meals. They have pivoted during the pandemic to find ways to feed unemployed stage crews. The organization has teamed up the trade nonprofit, the Touring Professionals Alliance to create the Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen.
Nashville-based Zander Insurance is supporting the disaster relief efforts of Team Rubicon with a $60,000 donation.
Most recently, Team Rubicon, a veteran-founded disaster response organization, was on the ground in Texas providing food and water to families without power for more than a week. The organization also provided aid and assistance in Nashville when the deadly tornadoes swept through in March 2020.
In December, Zander held a campaign to give back a portion of its ID theft protection sales to Team Rubicon to recognize Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. This donation marks the eighth year that Zander raised funds to support a nonprofit in December.
The Country Music Association is launching a new platform to support musicians in need. CMA is expanding its Music Industry COVID Support initiative t.
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