Hear and Now - behind the new charity project.

Anyone remember Hear n Aid? The charity single and album? It was awesome.

2020 sees a similar idea, a single recorded by some of today's metal musicians in aid of the charity "The Center for Disaster Philanthropy's (CDP) Global Recovery Fund for COVID-19". Roxy caught up with Corners of Sanctuary guitarist and lead guy in the project Mick Michaels this week to find out what the single is all about.

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1. Tell us about the "Hear n Now" project... Who's involved?
Mick Michaels: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us about the Hear ‘n Now project. We are very excited about what’s happening here and appreciate everyone’s support.

Hear ‘n Now is a multi-artist collaboration that has brought together a number of musicians and industry people for the release of the song “No Road to Ruin.”
"No Road to Ruin" features the donated talents of:
Steve Grimmett of Steve Grimmett's Grim Reaper - vocals
Patrick Kennison of Lita Ford/Heaven Below - lead guitar
Chris Natalini of Blood Feast - vocals
Ed Mischke of Spiritual Sickness/Veronica Freeman - lead guitar
Frank Cross - vocals
Danny Gomez of Gothic Slam/Messonic - vocals
Alex Olivetti of Threatpoint - lead guitar
James Pera of Corners of Sanctuary - bass
Mad T of Corners of Sanctuary - drums
Mick Michaels of Corners of Sanctuary - guitars, keyboards, songwriter, producer, vocals
Billy Loney - backing vocals
Producer Bill Metoyer of SkullSeven Studio, L.A. (Slayer, Fates Warning, Armored Saint) - post production/mastering
Recorded (base tracks) and Mixed at Magic Ears Studios, PA
Press/Promotions by March Baby Media (US), Infecting Cells PR (Canada) and Keep it Metal Promotions (US)
Record label: Heaven and Hell Records (US)

2. Whose idea was it to do this excellent project?
Mick Michaels: My good friend, Billy Loney, of Keep it Metal Promotions, contacted me in early April about his wanting to put together a group effort project to do a song that would feature several different artists. In the span of a couple of conversations, the basic idea was formed. We threw around a few project names and Billy settled on Hear ‘n Now. Billy asked me to write the song we would use and from there it was a matter of rounding up and inviting the artists to participate. The amazing thing is how fast it all came together. The support right from the beginning was incredible. We are so grateful for everyone’s time and participation. It really has been a group effort.

3. The production is great, who's responsible?
Mick Michaels: all the base instrument tracking; rhythm guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, were recorded by Corners of Sanctuary at Magic Ears Studios outside of Philadelphia. Lead guitar work and vocals were recorded at each artist’s current location respectfully. All tracks were then sent to Magic Ears Studios for the final mixdown process. Post production and mastering were then sent off to Bill Metoyer at SkullSeven Studio in L.A. Again, this has been a major group effort and we can’t be happier as to how it all came out.

4. This is a response to the Covid19 outbreak and the problems it’s
causing for musicians and of course worldwide. How has it affected those within the project?
Mick Michaels: This is a response to the how this global situation has affected each of us as individuals and as a world community…whether we realize it or not, every aspect of our lives has been impinged upon. What affects one affects us all. We all must take responsibility and ownership of the state of the world. It’s by working together that we can make real and lasting change…together we can make a difference. Hear ‘n Now is an example of that…of what can be done if people put down their idea of what is different and focus on what we all share and experience together.

Artists and musicians are no different than anyone else. We are all in this together.

5. Proceeds go to "The Center for Disaster Philanthropy's (CDP) Global Recovery Fund for COVID-19"?
Mick Michaels: Well, the song is available for free at https://heavenandhellrecords.bandcamp.com/album/no-road-to-ruin. So there’s no proceeds only donations being collected. The team at Keep it Metal Promotions chose the CDP as the relief effort Hear ‘n Now would support. What we’re experiencing is global and their efforts work on a international scale. Since the all artists who participated in the project were from all over, as well as their fans, the thought was to have an organization that worked globally as well. When you go to download “No Road to Ruin,” Heaven and Hell Records have set up a donation button at the point of download. So everything can be done at one spot and with a only click or two.

6. Are they any plans to do more with the project?
Mick Michaels: The immediate plan is to get the word and the song out to as many people as we can, that’s why it was decided right from the start that the song should be a free download. People have the choice as to whether they want to make a donation or not, but regardless, the song is still free.

Discussions have already started about the possibility of another song release with additional artists joining the project. There are already a number of people who have signed on if that does happen. We will see but it would definitely be great to do for sure and you can count me in without a doubt.

7. Do you have any advice for bands and musicians who are going through the Covid19 crisis?
Mick Michaels: Stay strong and remain positive. We all need to keep believing that tomorrow will be a better day. Really, that message is for all of us…something we can remind each other every day, including ourselves. It’s easy to get down on things, it’s human nature, especially when it is all around us, all the time. But we are on the upswing and things will get better.

For artists…stay productive and do what an artist does…create. With so much thought and so many emotions swirling around, as artists, we have an unlimited resource to tap from. Use that resource to make things happen and create. For me staying busy has been a major distraction and has kept me optimistic. Take care and be safe!

Thanks for the opportunity to share with you and your readers about Hear ‘n Now!

Hear ‘n now: An Artist Initiative
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HearnNowAnArtistsInitiative