The economic impact of COVID-19 has been disastrous for many people, and musicians have been badly affected by it too. Companies like Bandcamp have launched initiatives to ensure that independent and DIY artists receive a bit of extra money during the pandemic, and Native Instruments, the Berlin-based music technology company, has responded with their Community Drive initiative.
Artists including Peaches, Sia, Laurel Halo, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, and Miquela have all contributed a sound pack for the music community to work with. The packs include audio stems, samples, and production kits so that musicians can remain creative during quarantine. The packs are free to download, but Native Instruments are encouraging donations as part of the compaign, which will be shared across seven charities that help artists.
The charities they are donating to are The MusiCares Covid-19 Relief Fund (USA), Musicians Without Borders (NL), Keychange (EU), Black Trans Femmes in the Arts (USA), KUUMBA in Motion (USA), In Place of War (UK), and Heart N Soul (UK). Native Instruments is kickstarting the campaign with a €100,000 donation of their own.
In total, the Community Drive includes over 200 samples, 67 loops, 35 kits, and 58 presets. Other artists involved are Take a Daytrip (the production duo who’ve worked with Travis Scott, Lil Nas X, and more), Just Blaze, Richard Devine, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kimbra, DJ Dahi, BT, Philomene Tsongui, and Junkie XL.
“I wanted to take part and give and support all the artists I’ve worked with, that I’ve collaborated with, that I’m inspired by, that I love, who are struggling right now,” Peaches says in a statement. “So I made presets for Massive and Monark, and they’re dark and they’re nasty and I love them. I also learned a lot, so that’s really cool! So, check ’em out, donate as much as you can so we can get back to making inspiring, creative music, and fighting the good fight.”
“We‘ve always aimed to make the word feel smaller through music – to connect people in unexpected ways with a wide spectrum of sounds,” adds Take a Daytrip’s No Idle Crew. “Now in a time when many disadvantaged communities need help most—when communities can’t come together as they should because of this virus – we wanted to use the sounds of our No Idle community to help bring financial support to those who need it so desperately during these dark days. Music is how we heal and we hope these sounds help direct funds to aid those affected by COVID-19.”
You can download the packs at Native Instrument’s Community Drive.