New York party HEADS KNOW launches fund for independent artists

New York-based party and dance music platform HEADS KNOW has launched a new fund for independent artists, promoters, and journalists.

The HEADS KNOW FUND will offer financial support to those in the dance music industry who need it, by distributing grants on an “as-needed basis”.

The platform will commit “at least 10% of net profits” from merch, ticketed events, and music sales towards funding, and also pledges to crowdfund by taking donations through PayPal.

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Culture journalist and HEADS KNOW founder Arielle Lana LeJarde said the fund was created to support its community and those who helped to pioneer music styles and lead movements in dance music.

“I wanted to start this fund because there should be a pool of funds ready to help our elders before it’s too late,” she explains.

“In the last several years of being really involved in the community, I noticed so many of our pioneers launching GoFundMes and felt like we should be doing more to make sure they’re okay while they’re still here.”

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Grants will be distributed between “electronic music and hip hop pioneers” facing financial hardships due to medical expenses, natural disasters and other emergencies, as well as journalists and promoters looking for financial support to complete projects.

“I also want to use this fund to help freelance culture journalists and independent promoters because I know first-hand how tough it is to survive,” Arielle says. “Music history is a pillar of HEADS KNOW, and we’d also be nothing without our community.”

Find out more about the HEADS KNOW FUND here, and donate to the crowdfunder here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X