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Of the many creatives whose homes or work places were struck by the fires in Los Angeles early this year, Dawes were especially impacted. As a way to raise money to help rebuild the community, the band has announced an all-star benefit concert on the first anniversary of the wildfires that destroyed more than 40,000 acres.
Scheduled for Jan. 7 at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, “A Concert for Altadena” – named after the community that was hard hit — will feature Dawes joined by a wide range of musician friends: Brad Paisley, the Killers’ Brandon Flowers, Stephen Stills, Jackson Browne, Mandy Moore, Aloe Blacc, and Jenny Lewis among them. Alt-rock veterans Everclear and the multi-genre collective Ozomatli will also play their own sets.
Proceeds will go toward the Altadena Builds Back Foundation, part of the Pasadena Community Foundation. “It’s gonna be a heavy night,” the band said in a statement, “but it’s going to be a beautiful one too.” Additional guests for the show may be announced in the near future.
After the fires began, Dawes’ Griffin Goldsmith lost his home in Altadena, and his brother Taylor’s home studio and much of the band’s gear were destroyed in the same area. At the Grammy Awards shortly after, Dawes teamed up with Paisley (along with Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, John Legend, and St. Vincent) for a cover of Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” to honor their ravaged city.
Last Friday, Jonathan Rinderknecht, a 29-year-old accused of starting a fire that led to the massive Palisades Fire, pleaded not guilty to charges of destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire. A jury trial is currently schedule for mid-December.
