Look To The Stars News: Neil Finn

Neil Finn Leads Concerts To Help Samoan Tsunami Victims

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn joined his brother Tim and a host of performers from the South Pacific for a special concert to raise funds for victims of this month’s devastating Tsunami in Samoa on Monday night.

Held at the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, the show was organized by Samoan rappers Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster. Also on stage were the cream of Kiwi performers, including Dave Dobbyn.

“You won’t see this combination probably anywhere else, ever again,” said the Finn brothers. “One of the nice upshots of this united effort is that you get a bill that is incredibly diverse and eclectic.”

The concert tour headed to Christchurch on Tuesday night, and will visit three other cities, ending in the capital city of Wellington later this week. A further concert will be held in the Samoan capital of Apia on October 31. Over $250,000 has been raised so far, but as the concert organizers say, much more is needed.

“It’s pretty dire,” said Scribe. “I think they need something like $190 million to really rebuild, which is a phenomenal amount of money. I don’t know if we can raise $190 million with this concert – but every bit counts.”

“There is Samoan influence [in New Zealand] on culture, music, arts, fashion – it’s immense,” added Neil Finn. “So it’s no wonder we relate to their dilemma.”

Neil Finn To Headline Charity Concert For Samoan Relief

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A concert featuring Crowded House’s Tim and Neil Finn – and a host of other New Zealand-based musicians – will take place in Auckland later this month to raise money for victims of last week’s Tsunami in Samoa.

The Finn Brothers will be joined by Dave Dobbyn, Bic Runga, Elemeno P, Nesian Mystik, Che-Fu, King Kapisi and many more at Auckland’s Vector Arena on October 19. Also performing will be New Zealand Hip Hop stars Savage and Scribe, who both lost family in the disaster.

Aid agencies such as the Red Cross, World Vision, The Salvation Army and UNICEF are still seeking donations for the massive clean-up required after last week’s devastating disaster that killed over 180 people.

Tickets for the concert are NZ$25 and are available through Ticketmaster New Zealand.

Neil Finn Gathers Musical Friends For Charity Album

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Crowded House singer Neil Finn is behind a new charity album that aims to raise money for Oxfam.

The double album, to be called The Sun Came Out, was recorded during the musician’s Seven Worlds Collide charity concerts in January and features contributions from Radiohead’s Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Soul Coughing’s Sebastian Steinberg, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Germano, and Wilco members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone.

“7 Worlds Collide is a great project – I hope The Sun Came Out is a huge success,” said Jeremy Hobbs, Director of Oxfam International. “Not just because it’s a unique musical experience but because each CD sold will make a difference – raising money to fund Oxfam’s work to fight poverty.”

The album is due for release on August 10. Information can be found here.

Kylie Minogue Leads The Stars In Australian Charity Concerts

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 120,000 people attended the Sound Relief fundraising concerts in Sydney and Melbourne on Saturday, March 14, to raise money for victims of devastating fires and floods in Australia.

The concerts have raised over AUS$5 million to go towards the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Fund Appeal and Queensland flood relief efforts, with some of the world’s greatest entertainers turning on performances of a lifetime for a good cause.

Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Taylor Swift, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn and Crowded House, and Kasey Chambers were just some of the artists that entertained the crowds, which included celebrities such as Toni Collette, David Wenham and Shane Warne. Kylie Minogue appeared at the Melbourne concert with a special rendition of I Still Call Australia Home, and the Sydney concert was closed by Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb, who performed Islands In The Stream and a wide range of Bee Gees hits. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin also joined Aussie legend John Farnham on stage for a duet on You’re The Voice.

“I was ready and I think the cause is so great – it’s essential,” said Barry Gibb, who flew in from the US the day before the concert. “I think we all need to be incensed about what happened and I think we need to care and I think we need to make the statement, so [that’s why] we’re here.”

Prince William and Prince Harry also made their first ever Australian address – via video – telling the crowds that they could “only imagine” what victims were going through and asked people not to forget the “amazing efforts” of the emergency services.

“It was a day for the ages, an event like no other that will live in the hearts of many Australians for generations to come,” said concert organizers, who went on to say that it was the biggest paying audience at any Australian concert or charity event ever. Millions more heard the concert on television and radio.

Among other bands to perform on the night were reunions of Hunters And Collectors, Icehouse, Split Enz, and Midnight Oil.

Kylie Minogue To MC Australian Bush Fire Relief Concert

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop star Kylie Minogue is to MC one of the Sound Relief concerts to benefit victims of Australia’s bush fires.

The concerts – to be held in Sydney and Melbourne on March 14 – will raise money for families of the 210+ people who lost their lives in last month’s fires, as well as the thousands left homeless. The Melbourne concert has already sold out – making it the largest paid concert event ever held in Australia, with 78,000 expected to attend – and extra tickets have been added to the Sydney concert.

Minogue will fly to Melbourne from India – where she is currently filming a Bollywood movie – but is not expected to perform musically at the event.

“The lineup is without doubt a once in a lifetime one, but it’s truly impressive how much the Australian public has gotten behind this. It speaks volumes of the passion of our great country – helping a mate in trouble,” said Sound Relief co-organizer and music promoter Michael Gudinski. “To me, Kylie is Melbourne. Her attendance is the cherry on the top of an already phenomenal lineup. She’s our girl.”

All profits from the Melbourne concert will be donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal, while half of the proceeds from the Sydney concert will go to the Premier’s Disaster Relief Fund Appeal in QLD to aid the victims of the Queensland floods.

Acts expected to perform at the shows include Coldplay, Jack Johnson, Kings Of Leon, Neil Finn, Kasey Chambers and many others.

Tickets to the Sydney show are $75 and are available from Ticketek.

Seven Worlds Collide For Oxfam

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Here’s a series of events that our Southern Hemisphere readers will want to mark in their diaries for the New Year: Neil Finn is holding his Seven Worlds Collide concerts to benefit Oxfam in January.

The concerts – which will feature Radiohead’s Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Soul Coughing’s Sebastian Steinberg, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Germano, Wilco members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone, and New Zealand musicians Liam Finn, Don McGlashan and Bic Runga – will be held at the Powerstation in Auckland, New Zealand, on January 5, 6, and 7.

It is the second time the Crowded House frontman has held his Seven Worlds Collide concerts. He introduced the concept in 2001, and released a successful live album of the events. This time round the star-studded band will repeat the exercise for Oxfam.

“Many of us have had previous connections with Oxfam,” said Finn. “We are working with them on this album not only to highlight the great work they do but to hopefully make some money for them as well.”

Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director Barry Coates added “We are honored to be working with Neil and so many other talented and committed artists on this project, many of whom have supported Oxfam over a number of years. At a time when the number of people living in extreme poverty is growing, funds generated from this project will be urgently directed to those in need, providing opportunities and hope for a better future.”

Tickets for the events cost $98.70 and are available here.

SurfAid CD Helps Tsunami Victims

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new CD raising money for some of the areas of Indonesia still recovering from the Boxing Day Tsunami tragedy went on sale exclusively in New Zealand last week.

SurfAid – The Music has been produced by SurfAid International, an organization that aims to improve the health and self-reliance of communities in remote geographical locations regularly visited by traveling surfers.

The new CD features songs specially donated by acts such as John Butler, Bob Marley, Liam Finn, Neil Finn, The Black Seeds, and a special duet between Crowded House and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

The organization was set up in New Zealand in 2000 by Dr Dave Jenkins, and now has bases in California, Indonesia, and Sydney. The new CD – which is being endorsed by Kelly Slater – is hoped to raise awareness of the situation in Nias and the Mentawai Islands, off Sumatra, Indonesia, where SurfAid runs a community development program for health, disaster preparedness, as well as water and sanitation programs. 100% of the proceeds from the CD will go towards these programs.

The CD is currently available in music stores and Quicksilver outlets in New Zealand, as well as online through The Loop.

Kiwi Stars Record Charity Song

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of New Zealand’s best known international stars have recorded a new song to raise money for children in need.

Anika Moa, and Opshop have joined together for a version of Dave Dobbyn’s award winning song Beside You to raise money for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, a charity that provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger in New Zealand.

“Everyone was there with the best of intent,” said Jason Kerrison, lead singer for Opshop. “It’s all about helping children with special needs, and knowing this helps you drive yourself and be there in the best capacity.”

The trust was established four years ago by Hinewehi Mohi, whose daughter Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy, and has since gained support from stars such as Hayley Westenra and Neil Finn.

“When you see the effect that music has on kids going through the centre it’s pretty profound,” Kerrison told TVNZ.

The single will start getting airplay on New Zealand radio this week and will be available for sale from New Zealand retail giant The Warehouse and for download from December 8.

Moa and Opshop will also perform the song with Dobbyn when they take part in the annual summer Winery Tour which begins on February 6.

Neil Finn's New Album Gets Crowded For Oxfam

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:15:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Crowded House frontman Neil Finn has invited a host of well known musicians to join him in recording a new album for charity.

Finn has invited the core band – and a few special guests – from his 2001 Seven Worlds Collide series of live shows and accompanying live album to create a new album at Roundhead Studios in Auckland, New Zealand, with proceeds going to support Oxfam.

Guests confirmed so far are Radiohead’s Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien, The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, Soul Coughing’s Sebastian Steinberg, multi-instrumentalist Lisa Germano, Wilco members Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone, and New Zealand musicians Liam Finn, Don McGlashan and Bic Runga.

The album will be recorded over Christmas and New Year, and will be accompanied by live performances at Auckland’s Powerstation on 5, 6 and 7 January 2009.

Previous participants in Finn’s Seven Worlds Collide shows include Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam in 2001.

Kiwi Stars Hold Charity Auction

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

World class rockers and sports stars from Down Under have donated items to a new online auction benefiting an organization that helps disabled and disadvantaged individuals develop their skills and abilities to contribute to their communities.

Past and present members of the All Blacks – New Zealand’s national rugby team – have stepped up to the mark with Olympic medalist Sarah Ulmer and Crowded House’s Neil Finn to take part in the auction, which is rasing money for the Gracelands Trust, an organization based in the North Island of New Zealand.

Founded and developed by Robyn Klos, the Gracelands Trust has developed from a small service supporting people in Te Awamutu to now offering programs throughout the greater Waikato region. It is based on a personal optimistic philosophy that it is possible to harness professional skills and knowledge with community resources and goodwill to provide a people-centered service, where everyone benefits.

The auction includes items such as a Finn Brothers poster signed by Neil and Tim Finn – both born in Te Awamutu – as well as an All Black jersey signed by Colin Meads, a rugby ball signed by Zinzan Brooke, and a cycling shirt signed by Sarah Ulmer.

Anybody interested in the auction – which can be accessed via TradeMe – had better be quick… it ends August 26 and 27.

It's Never Too Crowded For Charity

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:35:18 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Half of the band is American, yet they originated in Australia, and the lead singer is a New Zealander. Veteran pop band Crowded House can truly be considered as one of the most international music groups ever to grace the airwaves. And even though they are currently halfway through a world tour to promote their latest album, they still find time to be part of a new collaborative CD to raise money for Oxfam.

“The Cake Sale” (CD /MP3) is a new record featuring a loose and expansive collective of musicians and writers, including Crowded House founding member Nick Seymore, who have combined to create a 9 song CD of previously unreleased recordings. Profits from the album, which also features Nina Persson from The Cardigans, Damien Rice, and Snow Patrol, will go to Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, as well as to their overseas program work. It was released in Britain in September, where it has already raised almost $300,000, and was made available in the US on October 16.

Crowded House formed in 1984, as a result of the demise of an earlier band called Split Enz. Ex-Enz singer/songwriter Neil Finn, and drummer Paul Hester, joined bass player Nick Seymore to form the new band, then travelled to Los Angeles. There they were signed to Capital Records. Over the next 12 years, the band released four albums, and garnered a loyal fan base with a strong repertoire of hits on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, “Weather With You”, and “Four Seasons In One Day”.

In 1996, the band called it a day, and played a final Farewell To The World concert to 120,000 people in front of the Sydney Opera House. Proceeds from what many regard as one of the most emotional gigs ever all went to the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

The following years saw the members of the group pursue new musical directions. Finn released two solo albums, and also travelled to Africa with Oxfam, a trip that resulted in him becoming an Oxfam Ambassador. In 2005, he was part of Oxfam’s Big Noise program, an international petition of more than 10 million signatures which called on decision makers to change unfair global trade rules so that people in developing countries have the chance to work their way out of poverty. He has since been part of a number of concerts to raise money for Oxfam, and also took time time entice his fellow New Zealanders to be a part of Oxjam in October 2007.

“You can do something,” said 49 year old Finn. “You can use your voice and tell the world that we won’t stand for people living in poverty any more. It’s not just about charity, it’s about justice. So stand up. Get singing, get playing. Make as much noise as you can and support Oxjam.”

Finn, who was awarded an OBE in 1993 for services to New Zealand music, also supports other charities in his native country, often contributing to celebrity auctions. One of the most popular of these is the annual auction held for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, New Zealand’s only dedicated music therapy centre catering for special needs children. In 2005, the hand-written lyrics to his most popular songs raised $15,000 for the charity.

In February 2007, Neil Finn played a charity show for Scope, England’s largest organization for people living with cerebral palsy. The concert was held at Stowe School in Wales, and also featured Aussie rocker, Jimmy Barnes. The event was followed by a celebrity auction featuring items donated by Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Elton John, and Australian cricketer, Shane Warne.

2007 also saw the reforming of Crowded House as a band, with the release of their new album, “Time On Earth”. The album, dedicated to the memory of drummer Paul Hester, went straight to the top of the charts in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, and was in the top twenty in many parts of Europe. One of the first gigs the band played together to promote the album was Hyde Park Calling, a benefit concert festival held in London on June 23 and 24. Organized in conjunction with Hard Rock Cafe, it was the first concert in the second annual Ambassadors of Rock Tour, a global concert series featuring top artists and bands, benefitting charities worldwide. The London concert, which also featured Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell, and Aerosmith, raised funds for the Nordoff-Robbins Foundation, a charitable organization that provides music therapy to autistic children, and Global Angels, a charity that acts as an umbrella fundraising mechanism for children’s projects throughout the world.

A few weeks later, Crowded House played at the Live Earth concert in Sydney, closing the show in memorable fashion, despite a power failure that meant most of their set was played in the dark.

“It feels right to us that the band should re-emerge at this time,” said Finn before the Live Earth concert. “We aim to make this show as vital and spirited as what has come before.”

More information about “The Cake Sale” album, which Hot Press describes as being “the album other charity records aspire to be”, can be found at www.thecakesale.com, and the official Crowded House website can be viewed at www.crowdedhouse.com.

Look To The Stars News: Neil Finn

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