Another generous Chilliwack musician is doing his part in raising money and awareness for a national charity.
Singer-songwriter Ted Kim (who goes by the band name of Dear Father) released a two-song EP on May 15 with proceeds going to Canadian Mental Health Association.
Kim’s album called At Home features original songs ‘Try’ and ‘Nightmare.’ They are some of many songs he’s written during the COVID-19 pandemic, and also his two best pieces.
Both are acoustic songs and while ‘Try’ has a positive feel with lyrics like “Things are gonna get better if you try,” his other song ‘Nightmare’ has a much darker tone about his struggle with self quarantining.
It’s as a result of writing more honestly and be less critical of his work lately.
“I feel like when you do this the words just flow out easier, instead of trying to figure out what you’re trying to say but in different words, so it doesn’t feel so sad,” Kim said. “I know my music isn’t the happiest and I’m OK with that because at least I am honest.”
The Canadian Mental Health Association is a cause he’s been passionate about for quite some time and he’s hoping to raise $1,000.
“Depression [and] anxiety affect my daily life, and I have a lot of close friends that struggle with the same problem,” he said. “I’ve been trying to promote and do as much as I can for them, especially right now as there is a big influx in depression due to quarantine.”
Kim was also part of another fundraiser song released by friend and fellow Chilliwack musician Kellen Saip whose song ‘We Are All In This Together’ features 18 other artists, including Kim. Proceeds from the song are going to Music Heals Charitable Foundation.
READ MORE: Chilliwack musician releases new song to raise money for music therapy charity
Additionally, Kim is part of a compilation CD along with eight other Fraser Valley artists called Artists in Isolation. It was produced by Sonny Rozsa from Yellow House Studio and you can catch ‘Try’ on the album.
READ MORE: ‘Artists in Isolation’ album puts much-needed money in Fraser Valley musicians’ pockets
‘Try’ was mixed and mastered by Rozsa while ‘Nightmare’ was mixed by Kim.
To download the songs and donate to the charity, go to dearfatherofficial.bandcamp.com. The top person to donate will win a Dear Father T-shirt, stickers and pins.
“There is no minimum donation. You can even download them for free, however because the album music is for charity, I do ask people donate something. Every dollar does help,” Kim said.
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