Uncontainable Fires Ravage Los Angeles's Audio Sector

Uncontainable Fires Ravage Los Angeles's Audio Sector

In the wake of the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, several organizations have come together to provide aid and support to the music community, which has been significantly impacted by the blazes.

Among the affected are renowned audio professionals, celebrities, and industry pros who have lost their homes and tools of their craft. Singer-songwriter and actor Mandy Moore reported that her house, while still standing, is unlivable due to the wildfires in Altadena. Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Griff and Kit, who are expecting their first baby in a matter of weeks, have lost their home in the Eaton Fire. Moore's husband, Taylor Goldsmith, and his brother Griffin, who had built a recording studio in the back of the house, lost their studio, every instrument, and piece of equipment due to the wildfires.

Award-winning mixer, engineer, and producer Bob Clearmountain, whose house was just off Sunset Blvd., about a mile from the Pacific Ocean, reported that his home and studio were a total loss due to the Palisades Fire. Clearmountain, who recently upgraded his studio for Dolby Atmos and had been working on immersive album mixes, is among the many professionals who have lost their livelihoods to the fires.

Harbor Studios, a residential facility that has hosted several celebrities, has been destroyed by the Palisades Fire. The studio, originally established by Weather Report founder Joe Zawinul and rebranded as Harbor in 2021, was home base for scoring composer Paul Dinletir, whose film credits include Avatar and The Avengers.

Griff, a touring musician, has lost his entire arsenal of drums and percussion due to the Eaton Fire. Hundreds of thousands of residents remain under evacuation orders or warnings due to the wildfires, which have affected several communities, with over 10,000 structures estimated to have been charred. The Palisades Fire has scorched over 20,000 acres and is currently 8% contained, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena is only 3% contained and has laid waste to more than 14,000 acres, almost equal to the size of the borough of Manhattan.

In response to these devastating losses, several organizations are actively offering support. The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, a key organization providing assistance to musicians and music industry professionals affected by the wildfires, is helping those who lost homes and instruments. The fund has been bolstered by high-profile fundraising efforts, including a $215,000 auction led by Rock & Roll icon Steve Perry to aid fire victims in Altadena.

Help On The Way LA is another initiative raising critical funds through benefit concerts and auctions involving notable artists. Proceeds support organizations like Sweet Relief and community programs such as the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which assist children and families impacted by the fires. The Pasadena Boys & Girls Club has been actively providing relief focused on wildfire-affected children and families, including support for smoke remediation and community training.

These organizations collectively offer financial aid, instrument replacement, and community support to help audio professionals and others in the music community recover from the devastating losses caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles. They are encouraging those affected by the fires to reach out to them for assistance with immediate expenses and to replace musical instruments. Zach Brandon, the studio owner, is determined to rebuild Harbor Studios, demonstrating the resilience of the music community in the face of adversity.

1. The recording studio that Zach Brandon owns, Harbor Studios, was destroyed by the Palisades Fire, but he is determined to rebuild it.
2. The award-winning mixer, engineer, and producer Bob Clearmountain lost his studio, which he had recently upgraded for Dolby Atmos, due to the Palisades Fire.
3. Hundreds of thousands of residents are under evacuation orders or warnings due to the wildfires, and over 10,000 structures have been estimated to have been charred.
4. Among the affected artists is singer-songwriter and actor Mandy Moore, whose house in Altadena is unlivable due to the wildfires, and her husband's and brother-in-law's recording studio was also lost.
5. Help On The Way LA is raising critical funds for organizations like Sweet Relief and community programs such as the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club through benefit concerts and auctions involving notable artists.
6. The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is providing support to musicians and music industry professionals affected by the wildfires, with high-profile fundraising efforts like a $215,000 auction led by Steve Perry to aid fire victims in Altadena.

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