Just some of the musicians who have donated songs for the website Songs4Haiti.com. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0918465)

LOCAL musicians are virtually rubbing shoulders with artists from around the world via a charity website which will raise funds for Haiti.

Songs4Haiti.com has been set up by local musician Darren Parsons by way of the charity International Association for Human Values.

The songs, which have been given free by the artists, can be downloaded from the website once a donation has been made. Music of many genres is up on the site, from rock to hip-hop and jazz to ambient chillout. There is something for everyone and songs will continue to be added after the launch, so those who have donated can keep checking back for new additions.

The website will go live today and the fund-raiser has attracted artists from all over the globe.

Darren explained how the project came about.

‘A few weeks ago a friend from IAHV asked me if I could do a gig to raise money for Haiti, but I didn’t have a band together. I was collaborating with somebody on a recording, though, and I wondered whether our song could be used somehow to raise money for Haiti. I mentioned the website idea to Phil Bartie, a really talented local musician and producer now living in New Zealand. He suggested using JustGiving.com to take donations, and that he’d be up for giving a few songs to the cause.

‘Phil was definitely a catalyst.’

With having a small collection of songs and a simple and secure method of accepting donations, Darren said the idea snowballed.

‘I registered Songs4Haiti.com and set about collecting songs while finding somebody to help with the website.’

Darren has been hard at it, with the project going from conception to launching in just three weeks.

‘It’s been pretty hectic but a lot of fun… and I’ve learnt a lot. I wanted to get songs from as many countries as possible, as well as from local artists.

‘I also wanted to get as many styles/genres as possible so that there was something for everybody, of any age or musical persuasion. I asked friends in Guernsey, and some had contacts in the UK and other countries. It’s amazing how many people have recorded studio quality songs at some stage in their life, or know somebody who has. I also posted adverts on a forum for users of studio recording software… there are some professional producers on these forums as well as beginners.’

Darren said the project had cost nothing. Everything has been donated. ‘The server space was offered by a previous employer, the website was put together in record time by two really skilled guys, Russell Isabelle and Patrick Cunningham. And the songs were all donated. I’d like to thank all the musicians and songwriters who said yes, and special thanks to those who said yes before I even finished explaining the idea.’

Local artists such as Asylum Seekas have donated songs. The local hip-hop crew submitted a track called Magical Words.

‘It really is world-class,’ said Darren, adding that the band are also really excited about a track they have done recently with Nessi G.

‘Jimi Riddlz said it was probably the best thing they’d ever done. They’re just finishing mastering the song at the moment and it should be on Songs4Haiti in a couple of days.’

Other local acts include Nemesis, Dave Fuller, Alison Castel and Paul Tongs, Autumn Curtis Summers and Thousand Points of Hate.

www.songs4haiti.com