As part of The Pixel Project‘s “Music For Pixels” campaign, we encourage artistes taking part in any “Music For Pixels” programme, be it as an Artiste of the Month or as a YouTube Cover Carnival contestant, to speak up about why they are using music to say NO to violence against women.

Today, we interview Columbian YouTube artiste Christian Varela who submitted his cover of One Direction’s “Little Things” for our Valentine 2013 YouTube Cover Carnival contest which ends at 9PM EST, 14 March 2013.

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Cristian Varela is a sixteen-year-old musician from Bogotá, Colombia. He has been playing guitar for the last ten years along with taking voice lessons over the last year. He has been in his rock band for two year and is currently doing covers of songs and working on original compositions.  His dream is to be a great guitarist and singer recognized not only in Columbia but all over the world. I had a rock band for two years.

1. Tell us about yourself and why you decided to take part in the YouTube Cover Carnival.

 I have been reading about the Pixel Project and your work to stop violence against women.  I felt that I could help spread this message through music and one of my covers on youtube.  That is why I decided to submit my video and join the Pixel Project to spread the message to end violence against women.

 2.  Why is ending Violence against Women important to you?

I think it’s important to stop violence against women because my own mother has been a victim of violence and I know with certainty how sad and painful it is to live in this environment.  I am aware that many women in the world are also victims of violence.  I believe that, as a man, I have a duty to spread this message to my friends and family

3.  In your opinion, how does music help in efforts to end violence against women?

Music is the means by which all types of messages are transmitted to all the people of the world. Day by day, millions of people receive messages that convey the music they hear. If, through the music and through different musical genres, I can create and transmit messages to help stop violence against women, then I have accomplished a great contribution.

4.  In your opinion, how can musicians help encourage people to take an interest in and step up to help stop violence against women?

I think that musicians have the ability to convey messages of love and affection with their songs. As musicians, they have some power over their fans that listen to them, and can therefore send messages of encouragement directly to large audiences.