branches

We announced this year’s Musician Coalition a couple weeks ago with Branches donating the tips from their new single Darlin’ to #zeroLRA. We could not be more excited and honored to have these incredible people supporting us in getting to #zeroLRA. I had the chance to talk to Tyler Madsen, lead vocalist, about his involvement with Invisible Children and why fundraising for #zeroLRA is important to the band. Here’s what he had to say:

When did you first hear about IC?

Each of us had heard of IC in different ways through our youth groups at church growing up, especially Jacob, who grew up in IC’s backyard in the San Diego area. But it was really our time in college at Azusa Pacific University that really drew us in to getting connected.

What inspired you to get involved?

We always knew that we wanted our music to be something that was a part of a bigger story–that we didn’t want our songs to start and end with the six of us. We wanted our music to draw others in, not only to our music, but to a cause that is greater than us. So very early on, we made the decision to always have our music connected with an opportunity for people to not just hand us money and support our careers, but to use some of that attention and platform to help people realize that there is a big wide world out there with lots of people who have not been dealt the same hand that we have. We have an opportunity to share with others some of the wealth, power, and blessings that we are practically swimming in. Jesus commands us to take care of the orphans and widows…to love our neighbors. These families may be on the other side of the world, but God’s neighborhood is not confined to the U.S.A. The invisible children in central Africa are my neighbors, and Jesus cares about them. We cannot ignore that. So, though our efforts may just be a drop in the bucket, we are committed to joining all the other drops in the seas of change that are coming, soon and very soon.

Why did you decide to donate your tips to #zeroLRA?

The more we learned about IC, the more it just made so much sense to us that our music should in some way go to serve this cause financially. If you don’t know much about IC, let me give you the abbreviated version: There’s a war happening in central Africa, where kids are abducted and forced into soldierdom and sex slavery. Invisible Children is trying to put a stop to this madness. No child should be forced into violence, slavery, or an abandonment of their family and friends. I cannot think of a more inarguable cause to call our friends and family in support of. So for us, it’s a no-brainer. Our music MUST be more than just noise. The Bible says “I could speak in the language of angels, but if my words and life aren’t loving, I might as well sound like a gong thrown down a staircase.” That’s a paraphrase, but you get the point.

What would you say to people to encourage them to leave a tip?

This is a good organization that knows the people, knows the need, and has been incredibly effective in weakening the force of the LRA and returning the lost and abducted children home. Try your best to spend selflessly this season! Give to SOMEONE. And if you don’t know where to start, Invisible Children is a great place.

Clearly, these guys are incredible so if you haven’t already grabbed Darlin’ head over to NoiseTrade and download it now–and don’t forget to leave a tip.