It’s hardly a secret that working in music can be a tough gig. Besides being an obscenely difficult industry in which to find stable work, often musicians and those working behind the scenes, such as recording engineers, are forced into jobs without the benefits many of us take for granted.
When a performer is injured or becomes ill, there’s no sick leave or paid time off to ensure their families are taken care of. There’s often no union or governing body for musicians and engineers to turn to, and even benefits like health insurance, dental, and superannuation can be rare.
No one understands this better than musicians, so Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has partnered with members of Jimmy Eat World and Paramore to do something about it by launching the Sweet Stuff Foundation.
Homme’s band is currently on hiatus after embarking on an extensive world tour in support of their well-received …Like Clockwork and he’s paired up with some of his musician buddies to launch the charity, originally founded in 2013, to help fellow musos.
“The mission of the Sweet Stuff Foundation is to help our musical community and their families with the vital elements often overlooked during periods of illness and disability,” the organisation’s mission statement reads.
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“Things like transportation to medical treatment, assistance with childcare and tuition, income assistance, the ‘last wishes’ of a lifetime, and special treatments not covered by insurance. The healing power of music is also a vital form of preventative medicine.”
“That’s why the Sweet Stuff Foundation’s two prong approach is also committed to providing assistance for music lessons, instruments, and musical collaborations for children. To help foster an atmosphere of creativity & introduce a healthy outlet via music, so that the ‘Sweet Stuff’ will continue for generations to come.”
The Sweet Stuff Foundation was formed in 2013, but only recently started generating publicity, largely thanks to shout-out on the official Foo Fighters Facebook page. According to CoS, to raise proceeds, the charity will be auctioning off various items in the coming months, including a signed guitar from the 2014 Grammy Awards.
