A couple of weeks back Musicoin's video coordinator Daniel Lawton filmed the first Musicoin Community Session with the Taihg Foundation in Canterbury, UK. There was a story behind the video and hope you will be interested to hear about it.
In 2012, I was running an acoustic youtube channel called ACTV (Acoustic Central TV). One day in Canterbury I was about to record a local band called Coco and the Butterfields. While waiting for the band to buy their coffees, I noticed a homeless busker called Daniel Lloyd also known as Taihg. The talent was obvious so while waiting for Coco and the Butterfields I decided to go over to Taihg and ask whether or not he would be interested to perform for my youtube channel. He accepted, he went on the perform one of the best original songs I'd ever heard. At the time I had lots of videos that I needed to release before uploading Taihg's performance. Two weeks after recording Taihg's performance I received a message from one of the members of Coco and the Butterfieds telling me that Taihg sadly passed away. They asked me if I could upload the video so there family could see Taihgs amazing performance. I uploaded and sent to his family, and a few days later it was clear to see how much people loved Taihg and how many people's souls he touched on the streets of Canterbury. The videos started to receive thousands of views and kind, loving comments were rolling in to give their condolences and their love for the performance from Taihg. I noticed a few comments and they were telling me to add the song to iTunes to raise money for his Daughter. This was a great idea, the song was added to iTunes and what happened next blew my mind. After a few days, the song broke into the top 100 UK charts. The track rose further and over took the likes of Lady Gaga. Taihg's track 'Guiding Stars' also broke into the singer/songwriter chart reaching number 8, which was placed above Ed Sheeren at the time. Taihg's track raised a considerable amount of money for Taihg's daughter.
Here is the original performance of Taihg's Guiding Stars...
Here is the video of Taihg's and Hugo Wenn's Memorial...
Taihg's good friend Jules Madjar was a big player in raising funds in the name of Taihg. He made a tribute album for Taihg with musicians around Canterbury raising even more money. Taihg's family decided to put donations towards a charity which is now called the Taihg Foundation. There motivation in doing the charity was that in Canterbury, they face increasing social challenges, particularly homelessness and mental health issues within our local communities. They believe that music can be a great leveller, presenting a wealth of opportunities – as an outlet for emotions, as a healer, as an opportunity for making friends and being part of a team as well as for building confidence. On these principles
The Taihg Foundation was formed. The charity are passionate about helping people to get involved with music through listening, playing as part of a group or learning a particular instrument for themselves. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience and play music. Many people are not fortunate enough to have access to musical instruments or ways to help them to learn and discover. Their mission is to provide music workshops as well as individual and group lessons on a variety of instruments and to loan instruments to facilitate access to learning, in order that they can help less advantaged groups, such as the homeless or those with mental health issues, to access and experience the enjoyment and benefits of learning to play music. Jules Madjar now spearheads the charity carrying on Taihg's sprit in a positive and meaningful way.
Around a month back I saw a video showing the work the Taihg Foundation were doing and I was inspired by their work to provide music to people that would not normally have a chance to perform. As I was at Musicoin at the time I thought it would be great to tell them about blockchain and Musicoin and help monetise their charity as they are struggling for funds. I believed Musicoin could be a great platform to help raise money for the charity so I offered to record a mini film demonstrating the work they get up to. The atmosphere was great, the room was filled with happy and loving people that were all benefitting from the power of music, this made recording the film broadcasting their work very easy indeed. In the video you will see Jules's passion and love for helping his local community and these are the types of people Musicoin would love to give a bigger voice to.
This is just one of many benefits blockchain has brung to the world and there is sure to be many more.
Here is the video
Here is The Taihg's Foundations Musicoin page. You can donate by tipping the charity.
https://musicoin.org/nav/artist/0x4f0ccf140191f4a8e10b0cab2bebe66880d2ac0f
You can also donate by listening to this track that has been uploaded by Musicoin. What better way to donate to charity... listening to music and no money coming out your wallet.
https://musicoin.org/nav/track/0x90ab8790ee0da5fccd3c2e26d6d526e64f90253d
Article by
Daniel Lawton
UK Ambassador and Video Coordinator