Connecting everyone through music

Framingham Wines, Creative Kids Trust and MusicHelps might be three different groups, but they all have one thing in common: a passion for music.

In a year which has had its challenges, the three groups have now more than ever all seen a value in what music can do for others.

MusicHelps general manager Peter Dickens said the Covid-19 crisis had effected Kiwi musicians and industry workers in an ‘‘unfathomable way’’.

Dickens said the charity provided wellbeing services and emergency financial support to Kiwi music workers and support for community projects that use music to help people in need.

‘‘We believe in Kiwi music people and the importance of them. We also have a passionate belief that music can be more than just a pastime, that it can be used in ways that can make a fundamental difference to come of the major issues that face us,’’ Dickens said.

Dickens said they had been ‘‘incredibly active’’ this year.

‘‘Pretty much every one of our welfare and support services has seen a major, major up tick,’’ he said.

‘‘That’s as a result of not just the complete cessation of live music and events, but it’s also put into sharp relief the effect that international touring has on the local market as well and how important it is in sustaining

Kiwi music worker jobs.’’

Framingham Wines have recently committed to making a donation to MusicHelps from every bottle of wine sold within New Zealand, a move Dickens said meant a lot to them.

The winery takes a lot of inspiration from the music scene, Framingham winemaker and musician Andrew Brown said.

‘‘Framingham takes a lot of inspiration from the music scene, especially those that have stepped up and out of the mainstream, musicians that haven’t been afraid to give it a go. In many ways we take that attitude into our winemaking,’’ Brown said.

The original wine cellar has been repurposed as a unique underground creative space that was home to pop-up gigs and a band room for local musicians to gather and practice.

The winery had hosted numerous events including an annual grape harvest concert.

This year, the concert which was to be headlined by The

Beths, had to be cancelled, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Framingham marketing manager Bridget Glakin said the team were ‘‘gutted’’.

‘‘The Kiwi music industry needs help and it’s clear music can also play a key role in helping New Zealanders everywhere through this challenging time, the decision to partner with MusicHelps was very obvious.’’

And while The Beths did not manage to make the first gig, they did make it to Framingham last week.

‘‘We had to limit it at 100 tickets, but it was great. The Beths are incredible people, for them it was like coming back to the start of the Covid journey.’’

Framingham managing director Tom Trolove said Framingham has been looking for a cause to support for a long time.

‘‘I think it’s great at this time to give back to a group that’s having a tough time. A lot of people are and it’s quite hard to decide what to do.

‘‘I can’t reach out and help airline pilots for example, but we can reach out and help the music industry.’’

MusicHelps also supported a local charity, Creative Kids Trust.

Creative Kids Trust coordinator Sara Rogerson said MusicHelps had been incredibly supportive in helping the trust, which had been operating since 2015, grow.

‘‘MusicHelps has been wonderful right there from the beginning.

‘‘From the foundation, we’ve been growing, and we’ve been flourishing. And their [MusicHelps] money has been used to help several different music therapy programmes with children with developmental needs,’’ Rogerson said.

Music Helps was the official charity of the Aotearoa Music Awards. If people wanted to support the charity they can text music to 2448 to donate $3.

SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF Once a wine cellar, an underground area at Framingham has been repurposed as a “unique underground creative space” which is home to pop-up gigs and a band room for local musicians to gather and practice.