The fire last week in Oakland has been a huge shock to the artist community here in the Bay Area with ripples far beyond. Sadly, as is often the case, it took a tragedy of this magnitude to start a dialogue about the issues and conditions that precipitated it.
I first discovered electronic music in the ‘90s through the Bay Area warehouse party scene. Later I moved back to Sacramento where I started making music myself and playing my first shows at underground parties. I owe a lot to the community and history of this area and it’s disheartening to know that fewer and fewer artists have the opportunity to benefit from this richly diverse community.
This Wednesday I’ll be participating in the Oakland United event at the Fox Theater. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Gray Area Foundation For The Arts Oakland Fire Relief Fund. Christopher Willits, whose Overlap Studio is based in Oakland, and I will be collaborating on a short DJ set and a lot of other local artists will be playing as well.
I’ve created this poster to promote the event and as a tribute to the victims of the fire. We will be selling prints at the show and online afterwards, proceeds of which will go to the Fire Relief Fund.
I hope you can support in whatever way you are able; more information about the event and the relief fund can be found at Oakland United.
To donate directly please visit Grey Area.
