Downtime Uniting Artists And Causes

my downtime

Read The Exclusive Interview On MTV ACT Here.

Life as an artist is not as easy as it looks. They spend hours perfecting their music and recording albums; hours setting up their equipment, playing shows on stage, and traveling to the next state; hours of interviews and then hours and hours of nothing. It’s called downtime; every artist comes across it no matter their size or genre. This is where the up-in-coming application, Downtime, comes in. Downtime is an innovative way for artists to use a bit of their free time to benefit a cause they believe in. For more information, please watch the video here: www.mydowntime.com.

Founded by music industry professional, Jay Harren, Downtime is a simple way to connect an artist with causes they believe in and want to support while on or off the road. From years of experience with working musicians, Harren realized that while they certainly work hard while on the road, touring musicians have some extra time on their hands. Whether waiting for sound check, traveling between venues, killing time before a press interview, a lot of free time exists while on the road. So, the idea was formed for each band to give a small portion of that extra time toward something good. The whole program will exist in a very simple and non-intrusive way on the bands personal Facebook page, eventually also having a personal page on www.mydowntime.com. If the band does not currently support a cause, Downtime will help them choose the perfect one. If the band already has one in mind, Downtime can act as a simple place for their efforts for that cause to exist online. Downtime is merely an easy, low commitment way for these bands to use their time and voice for some good.

Only at the beginning stages, Downtime has already joined forces with some of the top musicians today. Currently participating is Manchester Orchestra, Anberlin, Mayday Parade, Grouplove, Hey Monday, Butch Walker, Sleeping at Last, The Starting Line, We The Kings, AWOLNATION, Charlotte Sometimes, Kevin Devine, Matthew Mayfield, Aaron Gillespie, Feather & Belle, Zach Williams and the Bellow, with many more on their way! Some of the charities already being represented are I’m Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation, Little Kids Rock!, Roots and Wings, International Justice Mission, Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, Restore NYC, Heifer International, Malaria No More, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, Falling Whistles, and the Humane Society of US. In addition, Harren has been in talks with various other musicians and admirable causes that will only bring more to this inspiring program.

Jay Harren began his career in the music industry in 1997 at Atlanta’s influential alternative radio station 99X/WNNX where he was the music director of the station, as well as founder and host of the acclaimed program, Sunday School. In May of 2006 Harren left 99X, to accept the position of A&R Manager at Columbia Records in New York. It was at Columbia where Harren signed critically acclaimed band Manchester Orchestra, and pop darlings Hey Monday. Harren left Columbia in March 2011 to pursue Downtime.

For more information on the program or to get involved, please visit: www.mydowntime.com.

Read the MTV ACT Article Here: http://bit.ly/qZN2Dp