The SIMS Foundation

12/21/2022

Confronting Music’s Mental Health Crisis

Thanks for sharing the challenges facing our music community and about SIMS Foundation services for the music industry Pitchfork.

In 2021, the Journal of Psychiatric Research published a peer-reviewed report titled “Mental health issues among international touring professionals in the music industry”—based on a pre-pandemic survey of 1,154 individuals—that showed “greatly elevated” rates of clinical depression and stress in comparison to the general population, and levels of suicidality that are five times the average rate of the U.S. population.

Experts and artists including Santigold, Jeff Tweedy, and Denzel Curry trace a web of pressing issues while imagining the paths forward.

12/21/2022

During the holidays we hope you find time to take care of yourself. Take a break, recharge, and check in on your friends and family. And know that we are here for you if you need us.

There is also still time to give the gift of mental health by making a donation to SIMS in honor of a loved one.

Make a difference in our music community this holiday season and visit simsfoundation.org/donate

12/19/2022

Making a living in the music industry is tough and seeking help can be challenging. Starting the conversation about wanting help is often the hardest part. While we work tirelessly to destigmatize emotional issues and to redirect focus on wellness, there is always more work that can be done.

We invite you to join us in our efforts to support music and the humans that create it, to support emotional wellness for our music community, and to support our work at SIMS Foundation.

Show Your Love - Donate Today!
www.simsfoundation.org/donate

12/16/2022

How the Music Community Is Fighting the Drug Overdose Epidemic

Overdose prevention and harm reduction save lives.

Watch our social channels for our 2023 substance use recovery training sessions that include how to administer Naloxone.

Naloxone nasal spray is safe, simple to use, and life-saving. Artists like Animal Collective, Pearl Jam, and Twin Shadow are working to make it available at every concert venue. But it isn’t going to be easy.

12/16/2022

As you finish up your holiday shopping, remember that supporting SIMS through Amazon Smile is as easy as 3 clicks! Head to smile.amazon.com, select SIMS Foundation, and continue shopping. Each purchase made will benefit SIMS and our mission to support the music industry!

12/15/2022

Stay Connected! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest SIMS news and happenings! https://simsfoundation.org/newsletter-signup/

If you missed December’s newsletter, you can find it here: bit.ly/SIMSnewsletter. Check it out and learn how you can give gifts this holiday season that give back to our music community.

12/13/2022

Join us for a special holiday themed SIMS Saturday at BLK Vinyl on December 17th. Not only will you be supporting a small, local business during the holidays, you can enter the raffle to win prizes including signed albums and boxed sets. Enjoy beverages from Independence Brewing Co. and Nine Banded Whiskey while you shop. Every dollar spent in store will be matched and donated to SIMS Foundation!

12/12/2022

A world-wide mental health crisis, low wages, gig work, and the skyrocketing costs of living in Central Texas make it nearly impossible for music industry professionals to survive.

But there is some good news.

The last few years have changed the way we all look at mental health and our destigmatization efforts at SIMS are leading to more open conversations. As a result, we have more people finally reaching out for the help they need, and that has likely been needed for a long time.

For SIMS, this means we have more people in need of services than our funding and staff can provide. This is where you can help!

With your year-end gift, we can help even more of the music community in need. Thank you for choosing to be a part of the SIMS family and for helping ensure our music community has the tools it needs to survive, and thrive!

Donate at SIMSFoundation.org/Donate

12/07/2022

Our December newsletter is out!

Learn more about the Safer Together overdose prevention and harm reduction initiative in partnership with Travis County District Attorney's Office, Red River Cultural District and Communities for Recovery, and the recent Alejandro Escovedo concert benefiting SIMS.

Now is a great time of year to show your love for the music community by supporting local businesses that give back to SIMS, gifting SIMS merch, or supporting SIMS when you shop on Amazon.

You can also donate to SIMS in honor of a loved one or make a recurring gift that gives to SIMS year-round. Visit simsfoundation.org/donate to learn more.

Read more here: https://mailchi.mp/simsfoundation/newsletter-december2022

12/06/2022

We are honored to continue our partnership with JuiceLand on their Feel Good, Do Good program to raise awareness and funding for SIMS Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from the Oatmilk Mocha and Matcha Lattes will be donated to SIMS.

Stop by JuiceLand and grab yourself a treat to support the music industry today!

12/02/2022

When you gift SIMS to your loved ones for the holidays, you’re also giving back to our music community. Every purchase made helps provide mental health and substance use recovery services to the music industry, and their dependent family members.

Shop for your holiday gifts at SIMSFoundation.org/Shop

12/01/2022

Today's press conference with the Travis County District Attorney's Office focused on the overdose crisis and the concert tonight to raise awareness for prevention. Overdose deaths in Travis County are a public health crisis & must be treated like one.

Join us at 8pm at Mohawk Austin for Safer Together: Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Save Lives.

Free show, six bands, donations accepted for SIMS Foundation to support our mission and work.

12/01/2022

Limited Poster Availability Alert!

For those that missed the opportunity to purchase a poster at the Alejandro Escovedo & Friends show at Cat's Cradle, an additional 30 more are now available. Cost is $30 plus shipping and proceeds will benefit SIMS. First come, first served. Email [email protected] to order. Anyone local to NC can pick up in person in Wake Forest (Triangle area) and avoid shipping fees.

Be Good to Yourself - Mental Health for NC Musicians

12/01/2022

Austin leaders and Sims Foundation band together for 'Safer Together' benefit show

Join us tonight for the Safer Together: Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Save Lives benefit concert at Mohawk Austin.

This free event, created in partnership with the Travis County District Attorney's Office, Red River Cultural District and Communities for Recovery, features six bands and will raise awareness and funding for SIMS.

If you are unable to attend and would like to donate you can text SIMS to 44321, PayPal to [email protected], or visit https://simsfoundation.org/donate/

https://austin.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/da-office-sims-foundation-red-river-cultural-district-overdose-benefit/

Austin is certainly proud of its music scene, but the music industry requires more care than it gets in many areas. One public health issue it disproportionately faces, both in the Live Music Capital and anywhere else, is one of the hardest to address: overdose deaths.

11/30/2022

We want to say THANK YOU to everyone that participated in by supporting our music community and our mission. Without your support we could not do what we do!

There's still time to donate before the end of the year. Text SIMS to 44321 or visit our website:
https://simsfoundation.org/donate/

11/29/2022

Giving Tuesday encourages radical generosity around the world as part of our daily lives. Give back. Give generously. Support the causes you care about.

One of the many ways you can give back is by supporting our work at SIMS Foundation.

Founded in 1995, SIMS is here to ensure our musicians, music industry professionals, and their families have access to the mental health and substance use recovery services they need to survive, and thrive.

Make a direct impact and donate today. Your support enables us to continue our work to strengthen our music community and, for that, we are truly grateful. We can’t do it without you!

https://simsfoundation.org/donate/

11/28/2022

is tomorrow!

This global day of giving is an opportunity for our friends, families, advocates and community partners to help further our mission.

Whether you donate now, or before the end of the year, funds raised will support SIMS and our work providing accessible and affordable mental health and substance use recovery services to the music industry and their dependent family members.

You can make an impact whether you donate $5 or $500. Every little bit helps!

Spread the word and support our work!

https://simsfoundation.org/donate/

11/23/2022

During this season of giving thanks, we want you to know how incredibly grateful we are to all of you - our music community, friends, partners, and advocates.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our music industry. We couldn't do it without you!

11/21/2022

During this season of gratitude, we invite you to celebrate with us on November 29th. GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that celebrates and uplifts grassroots generosity.

Whether it be helping a friend in need, volunteering your time, or making a donation to your favorite nonprofit organization, it all makes a difference!

When you donate to SIMS Foundation, you are helping ensure that everyone in our music industry has access to the affordable mental health and substance use recovery services they need.

Join us and support your music community!

https://simsfoundation.org/donate/



GivingTuesday

11/17/2022

We want to give a huge THANK YOU to Tina Rose and The ABGB team for organizing and hosting the Stomp Your Feet for SIMS Tribute to Gary Primich to benefit SIMS.

We also want to thank all of the musicians who shared their time and talent to play tribute to Gary, an Austin harmonica legend, and to everyone that attended or donated to support our work.

With the help of the music community and ABGB partners, we were able to raise over $3000 for SIMS and our services for the music industry. We are so lucky and honored to have such a supportive community and are grateful beyond words! ❤️

11/16/2022

Announcing the second annual Safer Together: Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Save Lives event on Thursday, December 1st at Mohawk Austin.

The Travis County District Attorney's Office has partnered with SIMS Foundation, Red River Cultural District and Communities for Recovery as part of an ongoing strategy to reduce the number of overdose-related deaths in the area.

Safer Together will raise awareness and donations for SIMS so we can continue our work providing mental health and substance use recovery services to the music industry.

The event is free and donations made at the door and the event will benefit SIMS!

🚨JUST IN🚨 Red River Cultural District, The SIMS Foundation, and Communities for Recovery have partnered up with Travis County District Attorney Garza’s office to bring you the second annual "Safer Together: Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Saves Lives" at on Thursday, December 1st.
Safer Together is an event to raise awareness and funds for SIMS, whose mission is to help reduce substance use issues while supporting and enhancing the wellbeing of the music community at large.
The event is free and we will be collecting donations for SIMS at the door.
Outside Stage:
Night Drive
Trouble in The Streets
Holy Wire
Inside Stage:
The Pinky Rings
Hotmom
Sad Cell
Artwork by

11/16/2022

Great video clip of Alejandro Escovedo sharing how and why SIMS Foundation was started 27 years ago.

SIMS was founded by Alejandro Escovedo, Austin Rehearsal Complex (ARC) co-owners Don Harvey and Wayne Nagel, Sims Ellison’s father Don Ellison, and attorney Walter Taylor in 1995.

We will continue this life-changing work as long as we are needed and are so grateful to the NC music community for the support! ❤️

11/15/2022

Some great shots of the Alejandro Escovedo show, benefiting SIMS Foundation, last night at Cat's Cradle in North Carolina!

As one of our co-founders, he has been with us from the start and continues to give the gift of his time, talent and energy to support accessible and affordable mental health services for our music industry.

11/14/2022

Tonight at Mohawk Austin! Benefiting SIMS! See you there!!

11/14/2022

We are so incredibly grateful to Alejandro Escovedo and all of the musicians, organizers, and supporters that came together last night at Cat's Cradle to raise awareness and funding to bring SIMS Foundation services to the North Carolina music community. It was a magical night!

A HUGE Thank you to SIMS co-founder Alejandro Escovedo for headlining the show and for the heartfelt and beautiful overview of SIMS Foundation and how we were founded due to the passing of Austin musician Sims Ellison in 1995. We are beyond grateful for your passion, vision, and ongoing support.

Thank you to the band and all of the performers including Chris Stamey, Mitchell Blake Easter, Doug Davis, Rob Ladd, Lynn Blakey Music, Caitlin Cary, Libby Rodenbough, Rachel Kiel, Leah Webster, Jonathan Byrd, Jess Klein and Mike June!

We also want to thank Frank Heath, Andy Young and the entire Cat’s Cradle team for welcoming us into their space and for putting on an amazing show and great evening.

None of this positive movement forward would have been possible without the folks from Be Good to Yourself - Mental Health for NC Musicians. We want to thank Ed Bumgardner, Rob Slater and the late Chris Garges. Without their desire to help musicians in North Carolina access affordable mental healthcare, SIMS would not be so close to making SIMS Foundation – Raleigh happen. And a big shout out to Mike Allen, Suzanne Golden, Joachim Gawryolek and Bill Traurig for all of their time, energy and support helping SIMS along the way, and on the ground in Raleigh. We are so appreciative of the positive energy and support!

Thank you all for helping make a difference in the lives of our music community! Because of all of you, we are one step closer to making SIMS Foundation - Raleigh a reality!

11/09/2022

This weekend! Wind down your weekend, support local musicians, and support SIMS Foundation!

Sunday Sessions at South Congress Hotel is back November 13th from 6-9pm in the Lobby Bar.⁠

Featuring acoustic performances by Arya, Daniel Fears, and Peyton Stilling Music + DJ sets by Jamie Dred.⁠
⁠
Free + open to the public, brought to you by our friends at New Waterloo and Deep Eddy Vodka

https://southcongresshotel.com/on-rotation/sunday-sessions

11/08/2022

Ticket giveaway from 95.7 FM That Station for the Alejandro Escovedo and his all-star band show on 11/13 at Cat's Cradle!

Enter now at thatstation.net for a chance to win a pair of tickets to help support the expansion of the The SIMS Foundation to North Carolina and see Alejandro Escovedo and his All-Star Band at Cat's Cradle on Sunday, November 13!

11/03/2022

Our November newsletter is out now!

Inside we discuss gratitude, Giving Tuesday on 11/29, and more. And that, without you, we couldn’t do what we do. We see you and we appreciate you. You can and do make a difference!

You can learn more about our partnerships with JuiceLand and KTonic Kombucha, and how to get your hands on the As One beer brewed in collaboration with Marvis Dixon (Marvis the Middleman), Urban Jungle Brewing, and St Elmo Brewing Company.

And get up to speed on upcoming events in Austin, New Orleans and North Carolina.

With the holidays coming this might be a good time to get a jump on holiday shopping with SIMS merchandise or in making an end of year donation so we can keep on providing critical services for our music community in 2023 and beyond!

https://mailchi.mp/simsfoundation/newsletter-november2022

11/02/2022

SIMS cofounder Alejandro Escovedo is playing a benefit show for us on 11/13 at The Cats' Cradle of NC.

Get your tickets and get ready for a great night of music, all in support of mental health!

Art by@skilletgilmore

https://catscradle.com/event/alejandro-escovedo/

“Hot off the cold steel press : a big Eastern Towhee for a big benefit show for the The SIMS Foundation and Be Good to Yourself - Mental Health for NC Musicians to support musicians mental health. Gonna be a super night.”
4 color, 18x24. Skillet Gilmore

We have an all star band for this special benefit on November 13th at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina. Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey, Robb Ladd, Doug Davis Music, Lynn Blakey and Caitlin Cary. Hope to see you there!

10/28/2022

Check out the latest podcast from Pause Play Pod and K*T Austin about the high costs of living in Austin and the lack of financial support for our music community, and music in general.

We appreciate the spotlight on the challenges our music industry is facing and agree that more needs to be done!

Posted • Austin is becoming too expensive for residents in the music industry. And it’s not clear that the music scene will survive on its own.

The city has made strides in supporting the live music scene by creating the Live Music Fund. There are also quite a few nonprofits that provide support — , , , the , the list goes on.

But is this support enough to maintain the music scene? Will we let the market decide the fate of the ecosystem? What are possible strategies to sustain the industry?

Hosts Miles Bloxson () and Elizabeth McQueen () focus on these questions in Season 4 of . In the first episode, they talk to professor Charles Carson about why the United States doesn't treat commercial music as an art form worthy of government support.

Download and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Photo:

10/27/2022

Saturday night at The Lost Well benefiting SIMS Foundation!

10/25/2022

For those in or near North Carolina, don’t miss Alejandro Escovedo on 11/13 with a lineup of local North Carolina music legends at this benefit for Be Good to Yourself & SIMS Foundation.

Alejandro Escovedo headlines with an all star band of Chris Stamey, Mitchell Blake Easter, Rob Ladd and Doug Davis Music.

Jonathan Byrd, Jess Klein and Mike June open!

Tickets here: https://catscradle.com/event/alejandro-escovedo/