Raising funds for the Support Act ‘Roadie fund’ with loud music and good times

The pandemic hit many industries very hard, and one that was almost impossibly decimated was the arts. But while the artists at the front of house made a lot of headlines, one of the industries that didn’t get so much attention was behind-the-scenes… the crew who get our stages and venues bumped in, lit, rigged, bumped out, and transported.

“Absolutely love the idea of this & we are more than happy to donate our time, let's do it! Count us in!” Winchester Revival.

On Sunday, August 7, starting from 5pm at The Zoo Brisbane, COUNT ME IN: Fundraiser will be taking the stage to raise a donation for CrewCare’s ‘Roadie Fund’, with artists The Winchester Revival, Low Lying Clouds, LAVELIN, and The Goodnight Shadow Machine.

We had a chat to Shani Bliesner, who works across many areas in the Brisbane music scene, from being an Artist Manager, a Stage Manager, and building up her career as Stage Crew and an aspiring Sound Technician while working at festivals, music venues, and within local production companies. While organizing events is nothing new to her, COUNT ME IN is a passion project combining her love for events and her love for working on stages as crew.

Why CrewCare? Can you tell us a bit about how crew have been affected by the pandemic?

I saw first hand during the Pandemic some of my close friends and crew members lose work with no way to replace that income, the Entertainment Industry was one of the last industries to return and is still struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 virus to this day.

LAVELIN. Image credit: Gabi Rankine.

Job Keeper allowances weren’t available for so many crew members, as well as not being eligible for government-funded financial aid or grants that were so readily available for other industries. CrewCare raises funds for the Support Act ‘Roadie fund’. The two organisations work closely together to raise awareness of the social issues affecting live music crew, whilst directing many to Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline and Crisis Relief Grants to assist crew members in crisis.

COUNT ME IN is a passion project for me, I am in a position where I can create an amazing event with the support of local artists to raise a donation to contribute to the ‘Roadie Fund’ as well as raise awareness of an organization (CrewCare) that is trying to bring public awareness to both the roles of Live Music Production specialists (crew workers) and trying to create better working environments and mental health support for anyone working in live music production.

Is the effect on the crew working conditions ongoing?

Now the pandemic has created a highly stressful environment for the crew. People who have spent their whole lives working in the Entertainment Industries left to be able to work and have an income in other industries. Now with the return of events, the industry is struggling to find crew and often deals with being understaffed, as well as the risk of events being cancelled, the health risks of potentially contracting COVID while working and the overall effect all these stresses are having on the mental health of the crew members.

Why is mental health such an unspoken issue in the sector?

I can’t speak for everyone when it comes to why it’s such an unspoken issue as I am not an expert in their area, however, I believe it is the same as all other industries that over the last years have started to become aware of mental health and introduced mental health plans into their working environments.

For Crew Members an average day consists of working hard in any weather condition for incredibly long days and for days on end, which is both mentally and physically exhausting as well as being one of the most fun and rewarding jobs any of us could ever want. However, the industry is so full on and behind the scenes that I believe it’s taking longer for mental health awareness campaigns to be noticed. It’s thanks to organizations like CrewCare that there is now a support network available to get the help needed and reduce the impact the job has on crew workers mental health.

What’s happening at the Zoo on the 7th, and how is this going to help the sector?  

Low Lying Clouds

COUNT ME IN is bringing 4 local bands that have most generously donated their time to support CrewCare and raise a donation through ticket sales. Rock band Winchester Revival, Nu Metal-inspired Low Lying Clouds, Girl-band LAVELIN, and emerging Indie-Rockers The Good Night Shadow Machine are all performing with doors opening at 5PM.

Not only are the proceeds of ticket sales going straight to CrewCare, but the Sunday show hopes to bring a bit of a relaxed afternoon for Brisbane bands, crew, and fans to come and take a mental health break. The goal is to bring awareness of CrewCare as an organization and maybe have a chat between sets about what they are trying to do for their sector.

The donation to CrewCare will assist them to continue to organize scholarships for aspiring crew members, create workshops, and with Support Act create a better future both mentally and physically for all Live Music Production Specialists.

Find out more about CrewCare at www.crewcare.org.au