It has only been a few days since the massive 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck and artists from across the musical landscape are already finding ways to help.
Lady Gaga is leading the way, imploring her fans (called "Little Monsters") to purchase a "Pray for Japan" bracelet. The bracelet, in the style of the popular "Livestrong" rubber wristbands, can be pre-ordered for five dollars on Gaga's official site. All money received from the sale of the prayer bracelet will go to relief efforts in Japan. (The website does not specify exactly which organization will receive the funds.) For those that want to donate more than five dollars, Gaga's site offers several options for purchase that can be accompanied with extra donations from $5 on up to $100.
Even musicians who do not have the far-reaching fame of Lady Gaga are finding ways to help. In Charlottetown, on Canada's Prince Edward Island, halfway around the world from Japan, a group of musicians banded together to put on a relief aid concert. Local acts Milks and Rectangles, Christian Ledwell, Meaghan Blanchard, Cory Roper and Morgan Palmer, The Manifolds and VanWoes and Ryan Merry performed at Timothy's World Flavour's on Saturday, March 12th. Five dollars was the suggested minimum donation and all the money received at the door was donated to the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. To most of those reading this, a show on Prince Edward Island may not be relevant, but it's a reminder of how powerful music can be. In less than 24 hours, these artists were able to collaborate and organize an event.
Were you not able to make it out to Prince Edward Island? Are rubber wristbands not your thing but you still want to help? Visit redcross.org to donate.