It’s not often Australia’s underground music scene becomes synonymous with the orphan crisis in Africa… After all, the two are worlds apart right? Well, not according to the DJs and promoters of the Dub for La No Che fundraiser. The charity event is set for this Saturday 15th March at Hermanns Bar, and will see the crème de la crème of Sydney’s dubstep, dub and reggae scenes putting on a massive show, with all proceeds going directly to the La No Che orphanage in Tanzania. Yep, Sydney’s electronic music scene has indeed become an unlikely ally in this cause, and despite hectic work schedules, all DJs are playing on a voluntary basis.
And it’s an impressive lineup to say the least. Spread across two rooms, the fundraiser will host Mark Pritchard from the Warp Records crew, Sub Bass Snarl, Firehouse, Bec Paton and Some Freak from 2SER Radio, along with Lorna, Garage Pressure and Basslines from FBI Radio, Victim from Void, Westernsynthetics from Subcontinental Dub, Zero Dub, Kodama and Eli from Southern Steppa, Insurgent and Double Robin from DSS and Sakura from the Collective. How these two worlds collided is an inspiring little tale of altruism and word of mouth, with music being the proverbial bowtie. Co-organiser Rhyece O’Neill firstly heard about the orphanage from fellow music-lover Jess White.
“Jess is a good mate from high school, and he has consistently supported causes of the oppressed,” says Rhyece, who goes under the name of DJ/producer Westernsynthetics. “And over the past few years he has dedicated most of his time and energy to the La No Che orphanage.” During a volunteer stint at the orphanage in 2006, Jess saw firsthand the difference the orphanage was making. Since commencement in 2003, the La No Che Orphanage has provided a home for children of Tanzania who’ve been orphaned, predominantly by AIDS. La No Che offers them the shelter, education, food, medical supplies and the love that no child should do without.
While Jess returned from the orphanage a year ago, the warm, big-hearted orphans of La No Che were always in his thoughts. He used his passion for music as a vehicle to raise money for La No Che, organizing two massive shows in his hometown of Melbourne. By the end of 2007 he headed back to the orphanage with 15 other volunteers and over $10 000 in funds. These funds are contributing towards overall improvements like running water and electricity, but more money is needed for basic things like school and medical supplies. And that’s when it became Sydney’s turn. Rhyece teamed up with dubstep promoter DJ Victim and got the ball rolling over a beer at a local pub.
“Usually every gig is about making money back on an as yet relatively unknown style of music, paying for the big international DJs who we bring here,” says Victim, who runs the monthly VOID Dubstep nights. “But with Dub for La No Che we are able to give something back to those who really need it.” And locking in one the biggest line-ups from Sydney’s underground music scene simply took a few calls. “We are really lucky to have some of the biggest DJs in Sydney supporting the cause as well.” Luke and Seb from Sub Bass Snarl are certainly no strangers to music fundraisers. They have been proudly organizing and supporting countless music fundraisers since their inception in 1991. “I believe music has a strong power to unite, educate and motivate people and should be used for this whenever possible,” says Luke. “The entire continent over there is seriously in need of help on all levels. And although the problem might seem insurmountably large…. A significant difference can be made through sponsoring children or donating to non-political, non-religious accountable relief organizations. Or of course by coming along to this party and having a great night while also helping those in need!”
Dub for La No Che Fundraiser kicks off at 8pm at Sydney’s University’s Hermanns Bar. Tickets can be purchased on the door for $15, with all proceeds going to the La No Che orphanage. Click here for further information on La No Che Orphanage.
