The LA music community needs our support now more than ever before.
As of January 15, the LA fires have killed 25 people and forced more than 180,000 to flee their homes. Among those affected, over 300 musicians and music industry professionals have lost their homes and studios.
Grammy winners, orchestra players, and indie artists alike now face rebuilding their lives and careers from scratch.
Notable Losses Across the Music Scene
And, musicians were not immune to that, either.
The tragedy claimed a piece of music history at Belmont Music Publishing.
Here, the company lost its entire inventory of 100,000 rental scores by composer Arnold Schoenberg. These weren’t just copies. Orchestras worldwide used these edited versions for their performances. So, while the original manuscripts stay safe in the archives, the loss hits hard.
Other musicians in the classical music community also lost their homes, instruments, and sheet music collections. This includes members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the UCLA early instruments ensemble, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
Bennie Maupin, the saxophonist who gave Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters their signature sound, also lost his home to the fires. So did Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Schiflett, and Bob Clearmountain (who mixed hits for The Rolling Stones and David Bowie).
Today’s musicians weren’t spared, though.
Producer Madlib lost his home and the decades of music stored inside it. Hip-hop artist Fat Tony and pop duo Brijean saw their homes and studios burn in Altadena. DIIV’s Zachary Cole Smith had to run with his pregnant wife and toddler, leaving his gear behind.
Empress Of also lost her family home, while The Postal Service’s Jimmy Tamborello saw his house and studio reduced to ash.
The fires hit independent artists just as hard. Brandon Jay, who wrote music for Orange is the New Black, lost both home and studio. Grammy-nominated producer Heavy Mellow faces the same struggle.
And some artists, like Amber Ryann, barely had time to grab their computers and basic needs before running.
Disrupted events
The fires have also forced many events to be postponed or canceled.
The Weeknd and Rod Wave canceled local concerts, and Beyoncé postponed a major announcement.
Hollywood felt the impact, too. The Critics Choice Awards are set to be resheduled, and the Oscar nominations announcement was postponed to January 23.
Emergency Support Already in Motion
Music industry groups jumped into action within days of the fires, launching programs to help musicians rebuild their lives.
Here are some of them:
- The Recording Academy and MusiCares have pledged $1 million to support affected artists and music industry professionals.
- The Guitar Center Foundation has launched an instrument replacement program. They’re accepting applications until February 28, 2025 from musicians who lost gear to the fires.
- The Musicians’ advocacy group UMAW is sharing resources from Mutual Aid LA Network, to connect people with what they need most: places to stay, pet boarding, and daily essentials.
How You Can Help
The Los Angeles music community needs both immediate assistance and long-term recovery support.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Support Musicians Directly: Individual fundraising campaigns offer direct help to affected musicians. These campaigns have been proving helpful as they give people from different countries a way to help out.
For an updated list of all affected musicians and their donation links, check out this spreadsheet.
- You can also donate directly to organizations:
- MusiCares continues accepting emergency fund applications through [email protected] or 1-800-687-4227.
- The American Red Cross also accepts donations online, by phone (800-733-2767), or by texting REDCROSS to 90999.
- Donate Supplies: Several locations are accepting essential items:
- YMCA Koreatown: Accepting unopened food, clothing, blankets, and pet supplies
- Bike Oven: Collecting hygiene products, N95 masks, pet food, and sleeping bags
- All Power Books: Needs shelf-stable food, water, masks, and basic toiletries
- A1000XBetter: Taking non-perishable foods and gently used clothing
If you have the resources to help, now is the time to contribute.