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Guest Post from PledgeMusicMatthew Leone of Madina Lake speaks passionately about the important work of Sweet Relief because he’s experienced it firsthand. After a tragic incident put him in a coma, Matthew says Sweet Relief became a literal lifeline in several ways as his artistic lifestyle kept him from being able to afford health insurance. We recently asked Matthew about Sweet Relief’s work in his own life, the plight of the poor artist and how we can all get involved.Sometimes the best way to hear about a charitable organization is not to ask its mission statement or values or even statistics but to ask the person why they are involved personally. So I’d love to start there. Where does your passion for the work of Sweet Relief come from?While ‘passion’ is an inextricable motivating factor inspiring me to do this work, it’s only part of a bigger circumstance that compels me to do it.I spent 2005 through 2010 touring the world with my band Madina Lake, nonstop. It was the exact opposite of glamour — decadence, sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll — that common perception dictates. It was constant, hard blue-collar work in a nomadic atmosphere, devoid of home, family, friends and comfort. For over 90% of touring musicians, it’s the lowest paying job you can do. Health insurance is at the bottom of the “Luxuries” list.In the summer of 2010 in Chicago, while on break to write an EP for Pledgemusic, I was the last to leave a writing session at my brother Nathan’s loft. Two steps out of his building I heard a gut-wrenching scream for help. I chased the voice across the street and vaguely saw her a block down the dim-lit street, soaked in blood, pinned down by her 6 ft.-plus, muscular husband, while he strangled and punched her. I sprinted, gathering speed for momentum — Clocking in at 5’6", I exercise my right not to exercise. I needed the edge here — and barreled into the assailant.I managed to rescue her, but in the process, I was put into a coma for five days and woke up with one-third of my skull removed. When Sweet Relief Musicians Fund found out about it, they immediately leaped into action. They set up a fundraising hub and spread the news pervasively, optimizing the generous donations from the most loving souls in the world. What they did next is what blew my mind.After multiple brain surgeries and a year of physical rehabilitation, they kept an open line of communication with me throughout my whole recovery. They negotiated my medical bills down, oversaw my financial assistance options and made sure that I had everything I needed to regenerate my brain, enabling a highly unlikely but full recovery.That’s an amazing story. It’s also sad to hear that benefits are so hard to come by.The vast majority of musicians have no health insurance because they can’t afford it. Even the bands signed to a major label, with a single climbing the radio charts, video bangin’ on TV, selling out 2,500 cap rooms in some territories. We had all of that, and we were broke the whole time.I represent the perfect example of this plight. Everybody loves music and the experience of live music, but people don’t realize the reality behind the performance that you and your friends will remember forever. Now more than ever, our musicians and their crews, venue workers, families need our help.Since we don’t realize the reality, can you educate us a bit more? What else would you want people to know?Related articles
