Proceeds will go to The Japanese Red Cross Society and Tokyo charity Peace Boat

 

Singapore, 21 June 2011 - Multi-platinum selling band Simple Plan recorded their version in Canada. On the other side of the world, young 11 year old guitar prodigy Yuto Miyazawa laid down his guitar solo in Tokyo, Japan. In Ireland, the lead singer from the critically acclaimed band Sweet Jane recorded her vocals at a Dublinstudio. And somewhere in between-at Singapore's Ocean Butterflies Studio-over 40 artists from all over the globe did their part by recording an Asian themed version of Coldplay's "Fix You" to benefit the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami that shook the lives of so many on March 11, 2011. The sale proceeds of the this track will go towards the Japanese Red Cross Society http://www.jrc.or.jp/eq-japan2011/ and Peace Boat

http://peaceboat.jp/relief/ a Tokyo based charity which is helping with the country's rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts. "We would like to thank [everyone] for the outpouring of support we have received from the international music community. All of your support has mattered significantly to us in Japan," says Haji Taniguchi, Chairman of Music Publishers Association of Japan.

 

The unprecedented event took place over a period of just 36 hours during the recently concluded Music Matters conference and Music Matters Live with HP music festival, which was held in Singapore from May 26th- 28th. "The net result, in my opinion, is a sonic masterpiece of loving art, born from the hearts and souls of all the participants, for the sole purpose of helping to relieve the suffering of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011," said veteran Los Angeles based producer Joseph Curiale, who not only oversaw and mixed the final version, but had a personal attachment to the outcome since he was actually in Japan when the earthquake struck.

 

The concept for the single was conceived by Branded, the organizer of both the conference and music festival and Universal Music Group. The Coldplay track was contributed by Universal Music, who will also be intimately involved in promoting and marketing the track. Festival sponsors HP were also a core company involved right from the start of the project and who seeded a number of the bands with HP products whilst on their way to Singapore.

 

"As the world's second largest music market and number one in the Asia-Pacific, Japan has always been an important territory for us, so it's important for us to address the aftermath of the tragedy. The global music industry has always been integral in international disaster relief efforts and this is our chance to contribute something to help our friends in Japan," said Jasper Donat, President of Music Matters.

 

Now in its sixth year, Music Matters is a four-day, five-night entertainment industry gathering held in Singapore www.musicmatters.asia a global outlook that offers a business gateway to Asia-Pacific, the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami tragedies were close to home and mind as the conference took shape. "Universal Music is committed to the Asian region and is pleased to be part of continued relief efforts for the Japanese people. We will contribute all our receipts associated with this project and are working closely with markets in the region to distribute the track for the benefit of the appointed charities and for Japan," said Sandy Monteiro, President, Universal Music Group (SEA).

 

For Music Matters' sponsors HP, it was especially important that the charity single move forward smoothly so that relief efforts can continue for Japan's earthquake victims. "Our thoughts continue to be with the people who are rebuilding their lives in Japan. Through this collaboration, music and technology is cutting across borders to unite everyone who wants to lend a helping hand in rebuilding Japan. We would like to thank the artistes for coming together to record this and hope the song will be a source of inspiration for everyone," said Robin Seow, Vice President, Marketing, Asia Pacific and Japan, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard.

 

All the performers gave their time willingly and for free in aid of this cause and those who could not be there physically sent in their sections digitally to the producer, Joseph Curiale, who then added them to the mix. Ocean Butterflies offered free use of their recording studios. The American-born Japan-based producer, composer and artist Curiale volunteered his time to produce and arrange the track. He was helped by co-producer Zennon Goh, associate producers Jeff Miyahara in Tokyo and Simple Plan's Sebastien Lefevbre who recorded Simple Plan lead singer Pierre Bouvier in Montreal Canada. The video was produced by Ed Bean and Scott Murphy at Siren Films. "This experience has been so extremely rewarding," said Simple Plan's lead-singer Pierre Bouvier. "Its great to see that by bringing together a small group of people we can actually make a difference. We're looking forward to seeing how this song inspires others to get involved in the rebuilding of Japan."

 

The track incorporates Japanese instruments like the Koto (national instrument of Japan) and Shakuhachi (Japanese end-blown flute) and features everyone from emerging Asian artists like Singapore music ensemble 53A and Sixx, to music prodigy and guitar whiz Yuto Miyazawa, regional sensations Car Sick Cars (China) and Pentagram (India), as well as established international superstars Simple Plan and Canadian sensations These Kids Wear Crowns and Saidah Baba Talibah. "There were significant logistical challenges in producing this new recording of 'Fix You'. It required many vocals being sent from a variety of countries in advance, and our having to create an international music mosaic from a distance," said Joseph Curiale.

 

For 11 year old guitarist Yuto Miyazawa, the track also had special meaning. "I am honored to take part in this wonderful project and very thankful for all of the help and support given to Japan. Ganbarou Nippon! (Stay strong Japan!)", he said.

 

For one of the charity recipients, "Fix You" will inject a much-needed impetus to the disaster relief efforts. Said Peace Boat Director, Yoshioka Tatsuya: "Peace Boat has been working in Ishinomaki, one of the worst-hit cities, since March 16. It's now three months since the earthquake and tsunami yet many are still living in shelters or are living in their ruined homes without access to hot food. Japan's hot summer is approaching and the affected areas are still strewn with mud and rotting fish and health hazards are increasing. There's so much work to be done and it is too big for Japan to handle alone. We're so appreciative of the support, solidarity and love that have been shown to the people of Japan from all over the world."

 

"Fix You" was released to a limited audience on Friday 27 May 2011 at the Music Matters conference via the Music

Matters app www.mobileroadie.com/apps/musicmatters.

 

The track is now available worldwide and the sale proceeds will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross Society and Peace Boat in Japan. "The devastation in Japan is something I can only imagine to comprehend but I have lost people close to my heart too. Singing those lines in Fix You came from that place of loss and hope. And the belief that we must protect the human spirit especially at its time of need. I can't think of a better song than Fix You to do that," said Aarika from the Singaporean band Sixx.

 

Japan Still Needs Our Help

Watch the video here and spread the word

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiFJiy6kwDA

 

PURCHASE THE TRACK & DONATE

For a current list of distributors you will be able to purchase the track from, download the list here.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1231925/Fix%20You%20Distribution%20List%20SEA%208Aug.pdf

 

THE PERFORMERS & MUSICIANS

For a complete list of all the artists that contributed to the track "Fix You" please refer to Annex A.

 

For Music Matters For Japan studio photos & information please use this link:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1231925/MM4JAPAN_PHOTOS.zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Branded

Branded is a leading Asian media and entertainment brand marketing agency.

Branded has successfully partnered brands with a number of the world's leading entertainment attractions including: Walking with Dinosaurs, the Rolling

Stones, Coco Lee, Black Eyed Peas, Jamie Cullum, We Will Rock You, James

Blunt, ARTHK, Chicago the Musical and even Barney the Dinosaur.

 

Branded also has unique experience in the media and technology space having been the exclusive sales agent for the CASBAA Convention since 2003.

Branded also created the MediaWorks event in partnership with Haymarket

(the publishers of Campaign). For further information, please refer to www.

digitalentertainment.asia

 

 

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world's leading music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 77 territories. Its businesses also include

Universal Music Publishing Group, the industry's leading global music publishing operation.

 

Universal Music Group's record labels include A&M/Octone, Decca, Def Jam

Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Disa, Emarcy, Fonovisa, Geffen Records,

Interscope Records, Island Records, Lost Highway Records, Machete Music,

MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Polydor Records, Show

Dog - Universal Music, Universal Motown, Universal Music Latino, Universal

Republic and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal

Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which includes the last 100 years of the world's most popular artists and their recordings. UMG's catalog is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal

Music Enterprises (in the U.S.) and Universal Strategic Marketing (outside the U.S.). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, its new media and technologies division; Bravado, its merchandising company; and Twenty-First Artists, its full service management division.

 

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Peace Boat (Japan)

Founded in 1983, Peace Boat is a Tokyo-based international non-governmental and non-profit organization with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The organization works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment through global educational programs, cooperative projects and advocacy activities on global peace voyages.

 

As part of our wider peace building activities, Peace Boat has carried out emergency relief operations for the past 15 years, delivering emergency assistance and raising funds, as well as coordinating the dispatch of experienced logisticians, interpreters and volunteer teams to affected areas all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Japanese Red Cross Society (Japan)

Japanese Red Cross is a member of global Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

 

Since the earthquake and tsunami, Red Cross have dispatched about 800 medical teams, 500 psychosocial support teams, and distributed more than 132,000 blankets and other relief items. Red Cross is one of the major national fundraising collecting bodies. 100% all funds donated directly to Japanese Red Cross will be transferred to the Distribution Committee, which is formed around the local governments of the disaster-affected prefectures. These funds will be distributed directly among the affected population.

http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/index.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A

 

Performers

 

No.	Country	Band	Artist
1	Singapore	Sixx	Aarika Lee
2	Singapore	Sixx	Kevin Lester
3	Singapore	53A	Sara Wee
4	Indonesia	Polyester Embassy	Elang Eby
5	Indonesia	Disconnected	Arie Ardiansyah
6	Indonesia	Disconnected	Muhammad 'PJ' Panji Prayoga
7	Taiwan	AV Okubo	Lu Yan
8	Taiwan	KoOk	Leslie Liang
9	Taiwan	Silverbus	Foo Li
10	China	Car Sick Cars	Shouwang
11	China	Car Sick Cars	Helen Feng
12	Japan	-	Yuto Miyazawa
13	Japan/Germany	Pitchtuner	Johannes Marx
14	India	Pentagram	Vishal
15	Denmark	-	Sunny Gottlieb
16	Belgium	-	Jay-J
17	Belgium	-	Katerine Agoustakis
18	Belgium	-	Nelson Morais
19	Canada	Simple Plan	Pierre Bouvier
20	Canada	Simple Plan	Sebastien Lefebvre
21	Canada	-	Saidah Baba Talibah
22	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Alexander Johnson
23	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Joe Porter
24	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Matt Vink
25	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Joshua McDaniel
26	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Josh Mitchinson
27	Canada	These Kids Wear Crowns	Alan Poettcker
28	USA	Evaline	Richard Perry
29	UK	Franko	Rich Craker
30	UK	Franko	Tommy Bastow
31	UK	Will and the People	Will Rendle
32	UK	Will and the People	James Keo
33	UK	Will and the People	Jim Ralphs
34	UK	Will and the People	Charlie Harman
35	UK	Goober Guns	Tim Hardwick
36	UK	Goober Guns	Ian Hardwick
37	Ireland	Sweet Jane	Lydia Des Dolles
38	Australia	Ball Park Music	Jennifer Boyce
39	Australia	Ball Park Music	Sam Cromack

 

 

Musicians

 

No.	Country	Instrument	Name of Artist
40	USA	Keyboards	Joseph Curiale
41	Malaysia	Drums	Gary Gideon
42	Malaysia	Bass	Andy Peterson
43	Malaysia	Guitar	Shamril Salleh
45	Japan	Koto	Osamu Kitajima
46	Shakuhachi	Shakuhachi	Bruce Huebner