Niagara band E- klec- tik tackles autism with single
Niagara rock band E- klec- tik has made it a mission to take on autism.
Fronted by Mike Richards, whose 15- year- old son Dalton was diagnosed with autism six years ago, the group has re- recorded its debut single Know Your Place and uploaded it to online music service Bandcamp at $ 1.25 per download. Of that, 75 per cent of sales will go towards the St. Davids Lioness Club for the purchase of special needs dogs for people with autism.
“They’re like $ 22,000,” says Richards. “They were able to do two this year, which is awesome, but we want to help them to do more.”
Richards wrote Know Your Place from his son’s point of view, and was the band’s first single in the summer of 2015: “Stop this rocking to and fro / People think I’m putting on a show.” It has endured, and was re- recorded to be part of the band’s upcoming debut album.
“We got asked by a few stations to make it radio- ready,” he says. “So it got changed up.”
He’s “extremely happy” with the new version, and even played it for his son at a recent gig.
Formed in 2013, E- klec- tik has been a rock mainstay in the region, earning a best new band nomination at the Niagara Music Awards. At the same time, Richards has been active in the local autism community, forming the annual Singing Out For Autism concert fundraiser.
His efforts were borne out of frustration after his son was diagnosed at age nine, and the lack of clear, easy- to- access guidelines on how to get help. He joined local group Super Heroes of Autism Niagara and was soon the group’s vice- president.
For the single, the band will perform a fundraising show for Sessions on the River at Chris Curry’s Fort Erie recording studio in late January or early February.
To purchase Know Your Place, visit www.eklectik1.bandcamp.com.