Help Katie Malco and Mt. Yonder etc replace music gear

Katie Malco is organizing this fundraiser.

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I share a practice space in Birmingham with some friends - my own band members, and all their other bands Mt. Yonder, To The Wall, S.T Manville, Howard James Kenny, The Broken Oak Duet as well as a professional drummer (James Burgess). On Weds and Thurs last week the building that contained our lock up unit with all our gear inside caught on fire. The fire was so huge it was declared a major incident. The smoke could be seen from the M6 and Coventry (the next town) and caused huge disruptions.

Once the fire was under control, a demolition crew was dispatched to tear down the building. We had only a few minutes to salvage a fraction of our beloved instruments from the flooded unit before the building was demolished.

A great deal of our guitars, amps, pedals, drums and shared PA system have been severely damaged or destroyed. Much of what was salvaged is in need of repair. We also loved the place so it was very emotional to see it burnt to rubble. My drummer has been playing music there for 18 years. It’s a heavy loss.

Photos on the news show the extent of the damage, and I’m just so glad none of us were inside at the time of the fire, though losing sentimental musical items is of course completely heartbreaking.

My first ever guitar was in there, my mum bought it for me and I’ve had it since I was 14. I cried my eyes out when I heard the news that it might be gone forever. As it stands, it is heavily damaged and in need of repair.

Our collective losses total a massive figure, which we know we will never be able to recoup or raise. However we've calculated a minimum number of £17,000 which would replace just some of what has been lost or damaged. This is of course still a huge long shot, but even raising some of this would go a long way to helping us get back to playing and touring. I am touring later this year, as well as playing festivals with my band, so we're desperately trying to replace gear in time to make the shows work.

Anything you can spare to help us get back on our feet will be so so gratefully received.

Thank you so much for reading.

Katie Malco

Mt. Yonder, S.T Manville, James Burgess, Howard James Kenny, The Broken Oak Duet