Many who depend on live entertainment and musical events for a living continue to struggle to make ends meet in these very crucial times. We call them the working musicians who belong to the informal sector and have also lost their source of livelihood because of this pandemic. Many of them are senior citizens and living with illnesses or disabilities while having no means to get medical assistance nor earn to provide for their families. How do we help them?
Independent band TOYO launched a fundraising jam series last July through its latest single “Stay Home (We Shall Overcome)” with the creation of a Go Get Funding campaign via https://gogetfunding.com/stayhome-for-workingmusicians/. The band partners with KayaKap, a volunteer group that aims to help the community of working musicians, primarily those who are in their senior years, with disabilities and critical illnesses, and in dire need of financial support.
The final leg of “Stay Home” fundraising jam series will happen on September 30, 7 p.m. via FB Live, featuring powerhouse acts headlined by Kayakap volunteers Skarlet Brown of the “Manila Girl” fame (Pu3ska, Brownbeat All Stars) and songwriter Rom Dongeto of Buklod. One of the event highlights will be the turnover of the raised funds to project beneficiary Kayakap. Completing the exciting lineup of performers are The Youth, Pig Dog and US-based Rage United.
“Stay Home (We Shall Overcome)” is a rock ballad inspired by the call around the world to flatten the curve by staying home. It began as a melancholic song that channels the experiences of people who are facing the pandemic alone and away from their families. As the song progresses, it reveals a more timeless message that shows us that if we give importance to every human life, everything will be alright because love will prevail and we shall overcome this crisis together.
An original composition of songwriter and bassist Erwin Cuenca who fronts TOYO, “Stay Home (We Shall Overcome)” is a collaboration with the band’s guitarists now US-based Clint Aquino and frontliner Doc JV Belarmino. The song materializes virtually while being separated from each other, translating a vision into action by making this musical piece a catalyst to raise funds for those who are badly affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
TOYO is joined by seasoned musicians Mark Galang on keyboards (Jose at Musika) and Allan Abdulla (A for A) on drums. “Stay Home (We Shall Overcome)” is produced and mixed by Direk Yeyi Abulencia of 9×9 Studio Music Production. Listen to the single and watch the music video of “Stay Home (We ShallOvercome)” on TOYO’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyKFgyfIWq4
