1. Tell us about Lost Monkey Studio and how you came to partner with The Pixel Project on music campaigns such as the YouTube Cover Carnival and how you are helping with the campaigns.
Mike and Michelle: One of our label artists wrote a song that represents hope and new life for women who are suffering or have suffered violence. He really wanted to donate the proceeds of this song to help end violence against women, and we ended up finding The Pixel Project. All of the hard work, motivation and passion Regina and her team have shown, has made us proud to be partnering with them. Lost Monkey Studio has since worked on the Youtube Cover Carnival campaign with Music for Pixels, and donated studio time, mixing/mastering and production for the winners of that contest.
2. Why is ending Violence Against Women an important cause for you?
Michelle: Ending violence against women is an important cause for so many reasons. But the one closest to my heart is that I’m also a survivor. It hits close to home for me and so many women out there. My mother, my girlfriends, their mothers, sisters, etc…it’s everywhere. The list goes on. I know we can’t fix everything, but we can chip away at it, one person at a time. We need to educate people, and let people know that they’re not alone.
3. Both of you have worked with many talented artistes for many years. In your opinion, how can music help in the fight to end violence against women?
Mike and Michelle: Music is great way to spread the word. I think a lot of people gravitate towards music for comfort, release, inspiration, love, frustration, etc. Music provides a platform to display stories, messages, and imagery that can help us in emotional ways, and inspire us. Music is a universal dialogue and it’s something we can all come together and unite through.
4. Why do you think more artistes should get on board music-based campaigns to raise awareness about violence against women?
Mike and Michelle: Music, as an art form, reaches people on a very emotional level. It can stir up joyful or painful feelings of the past, hope or fear for the future, even feelings you were never aware of. Songwriters and performers have the ability to speak to people on that level. Not only do their words get heard by people but when someone bonds with a song they can feel like it’s theirs and many times want to share it with others.
5. In your opinion, how can we encourage young men and boys to take an interest in and step up to help stop violence against women?
Mike and Michelle: We learn by example. Not all of us have a great, immediate family role model in that respect. But we have to be aware that our kids are watching us. When their role models at home are making these mistakes and they hear nothing about how violence is wrong from their community, then they are more likely to think “i guess this is just the way it is.” Conversations are important. Our young men and boys need to know this is not what everybody does. Our job is to teach them how to be responsible and respectful adults.
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Give back while giving joy:
Searching for an affordable gift that is both empowering and uplifting for someone in need of that extra encouragement and good vibes to kick off the new year? Check out our “16 For 16” digital EP featuring 5 songs aimed at lifting the spirits and empowering survivors of Violence Against Women worldwide via all major online music stores including iTunes, Amazon, Google Music, Spotify and many more. Prices range from US$4.95 to US$6.45 depending on region and retailer and 100% of the proceeds go towards keeping The Pixel Project’s programmes and projects running. Just click on the buttons below to be taken to the EP’s download page in your preferred online music store:
