It’s been full speed ahead for the Vernon artist known as Windmills.
The multi-faceted musician has been moving at a faster-than-normal pace since it was announced he was selected as a top 12 finalist for the prestigious PEAK Performance Project.
And now with his third full-length album about to drop, Windmills is giving back to his community.
On Oct. 16, the artist (born Cory Myraas) will perform all the songs off his new album Measures, being released three days ahead, in the commons area at Vernon Secondary School. All proceeds from the concert are going to the JESS (Jessica Eaman Ski Scholorship) 4 Kids fund, a charity named after the cross country ski coach at Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre who died in a car accident in 2012.
Windmills, whose family is Norwegian, wanted to help this particular charity because of his background. JESS 4 Kids helps raise awareness and money for underprivileged children to get on the trails cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
“Winter dominates a lot of what I identify with, and I grew up on the ski hill from the age of seven onwards,” he said. “To be able to give this experience to the youth in my community and carry on Jess’ legacy, it’s almost overwhelming. It’s my hope with this campaign and benefit in honour of JESS 4 Kids that we give these kids an opportunity to get out in the wild, explore the hills, and find out something about themselves.”
Since being announced as a PEAK finalist, Windmills has been all over the place. He performed at the Shambhala Music Festival in Salmo this summer and then attended the PEAK bootcamp, which consisted of a week of training and seminars taught by some of the music industry’s top players.
Hosted by Vancouver radio station The PEAK, the project, which is designed to educate, promote, develop and hopefully launch the careers of up-and-coming artists, is in its last year in B.C. and since starting in 2009, has changed the lives of more than 100 musicians around the province.
“It’s unbelievable how everyone at the PEAK Performance Project comes together to invest time and money in these artists. The experience was profound,” said Windmills. “I’m humbled that I was chosen for the final year.”
The public voting phase of project opens Oct. 16 and supporters can vote for their favourite artist on the PEAK website starting that day at http://bc.peakperformanceproject.com/vote/ until Oct. 23.
“The voting goes towards our final score, and every vote gets me that much closer to my goals, and is an amazing boost for my development as an artist,” said Windmills.
The Vernon musician has also launched an indiegogo campaign (www.igg.me/at/windmills) to raise funds for the remainder of his album costs, with 25 per cent of all proceeds raised going directly to the JESS 4 Kids fund.
At last count, Windmills had already raised 63 per cent of his campaign goal.
“We jumped up $600 in the last five days, which blows my mind,” he said Monday. “People are really getting behind both causes. Some are contributing $50 for a $10 digital album. It’s extremely humbling.”
Deadline for the campaign is Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m.
“My hope is that anyone at the benefit concert who still wants to contribute can get involved with 2.5 hours left after the show,” said Windmills.
Opening for Windmills at the JESS 4 Kids benefit at VSS is local band Amistad.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All of the proceeds from the concert and a silent auction, with items donated by local businesses, will go directly to the JESS 4 Kids fund.
Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults with advance sales available at Triumph Coffee, VSS, from Amistad members and Windmills (windmillskeepmoving.com).
