Sunday, November 24th, 2019 – Moore Theatre
Seattle Area non-profit SMASH - Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare - announced their second annual benefit concert, a tribute to the music of Neil Young. SMASH is a nonprofit organization that keeps the Northwest’s music community healthy by providing health education, advocacy, and access to preventative healthcare. SMASH’s 2018 benefit was a great success and featured the first reunion by Seattle legends Mother Love Bone in over eight years. The event received kudos from publications like Rolling Stone and Stereogum.
“Being a musician doesn’t come with health insurance and a 401k. It is a labor of love,” says SMASH co-founder Ian Moore. “It’s hard to balance living costs with paying for routine doctor visits. Musicians often prioritize sparking emotion through making art over self-care. SMASH is our way of supporting the health of those local musicians who give us so much.”
The benefit concert covers a selection of Neil Young’s greatest hits catalog. It features musicians like Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), Chris Ballew (Casper Babypants, Presidents of the USA), Ron Nine and Kevin Whitworth (Love Battery), Carrie Akre (Hammerbox, Goodness), John Roderick (The Long Winters), Dave Alvin, Shelby Earl, The Naked Giants, Ian Moore, LeRoy Bell and Terry Morgan (LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends), Christy McWilson, and Shaina Shepherd (Bearaxe).
The house band includes drummer Michael Musburger (The Posies), bassist Rebecca Young (North Twin), guitarist Tim DiJulio (Stereo Embers, Flight To Mars), keyboardist Paul Hiraga (Down Pilot), and guitarist Bruce Fairweather (Mother Love Bone, Low Bar Ramblers).
“SMASH is an organization started by musicians to benefit musicians,” says Seattle musician Ben London. “Time and time again, we see our favorite local musicians strapped with healthcare issues and bills. It is heartbreaking. We can all agree that music brings joy and richness to our community, and we want to make sure to help out those making that music who give us so much through their art!”
Photos by Niffer Calderwood
The SMASH Benefit 2019, which will celebrate Neil Young and provide vital services to maintain the health of the Seattle music community, seems like an amazing event. Seeing groups like SMASH make an impact is encouraging. Similar to how assignment help services assist students in efficiently managing their workloads, events such as these demonstrate how supportive programs may benefit creative communities.