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| Safe and Sounds launch: Now and Yen |
Open the newspaper these days, and you are more often than not hit with a stark reminder that Mother Nature is flexing her claws and exercising her power over mankind: tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes, and, for us lot in Nottingham, summer arriving freakishly early.
Now, whilst the latter may be one of the more pleasant natural occurrences, if we look not so far back, we will quickly be reminded of those that have caused unimaginable devastation to our friends across the globe: the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March of this year, the earthquake in New Zealand only a month before, and the tornadoes that have just devastated Alabama and the southern US states, violently declaring tornado season open. Even the events in Haiti of well over a year ago feel cuttingly fresh.
All of a sudden, British weather seems to be something of a longer straw.
A group of enthusiastic locals have decided to do something to help out. Spurred on by the devastation seen in Japan, DJ Tom Harris (Hankydecksterous) recruited some mates and other music types to form Safe and Sounds; a Nottingham-based collective committed to raising awareness and a whole lotta dough for those affected by natural disasters.
Things get going at the launch party, this Friday May 6th, at Bad Ju Ju Tiki Bar on Broad Street.
Hannah Boylin caught up with organiser, Tom Harris, to find out a little more…
So tell us, what is Safe and Sounds all about?
We just all feel that there is something that we can do to in some way help those who have been affected by disasters of nature – collectively we share a passion for music and the idea grew of putting on a series of events to help raise much needed cash.
Your first event, on May 6th, is called ‘Now and ￥en’, with all proceeds going to the Japan relief. But why Japan? And why now?
Although it was nearly two months ago now, and peoples’ attention quickly shifts to more immediate headlines, the devastation that was caused by the disasters in March cannot simply be swept under the carpet: people out there are still living in unimaginable conditions… Plus it’s Japan’s Golden Week, a celebration of their nation and culture – so we wanted to put an event on to coincide with this week. Although they may be finding it hard to celebrate anything at the moment we can celebrate them, and hopefully raise some money for them at the same time.
Give us an idea of what we can expect on May 6th?
We have been overwhelmed at the response from Nottingham's music scene – we 've put together a line up with plenty of established names including the likes of The Elementz, Kam Tru, Soulbuggin' and BBC 1Xtra's Illmana to name a few. There'll be something everyone can pull some shapes to from 8pm until 2am and at one of the best venues in town!
Will we be seeing more of Safe and Sounds in the future?
We have bigger things planned, which we hope will involve more of the amazing musical and creative talent that Nottingham has to offer. We're looking for artists, venues, agencies and anyone else looking to get involved down the line… and have already secured the interest of some big Nottingham names so watch this space!
We certainly will! And how do we get involved?
Just search for 'Safe and Sounds' on Facebook or have a look at our website www.safeandsounds.org. You can also email me using tom@safeandsounds.org – and of course get your party head on and join us this Friday (May 6th) at Bad Ju Ju for our launch party, Now and ￥en!!
Safe and Sounds: Now and Yen takes place at Bad Ju Ju on Friday 6 May 2011. Click here for the Facebook event.
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