Rock legends back ISO-Nation Aussie fundraising initiative

Ian Paice and Jon Farris have thrown their support behind a new initiative helping industry workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Deep Purple founder Paice and INXS member Farris are supporting ISO-Nation, a movement started by ex-Live Nation exec Kat Rallis to help those financially impacted by COVID-19.

The initiative calls on donations and also offers branded merch for sale, with all profits to be distributed equally amongst all the supporting groups and artists, to pass on to their respective crew members.

“The live music industry was one of the first and most adversely impacted sectors,” former VIP operations manager for Live Nation (Australia) Rallis said.

“It will probably be one of the last to recover and the toll it is taking on the hardworking men and women who make up the road crews and venue staff globally is terrible!”

Rallis was one of many retrenched when the pandemic hit.

“Almost overnight, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of thousands of events big and small right across the globe, and there’s no sign that things will be restored any time soon.

“As a consequence, there is a huge number of people unable to find work who don’t have the financial cushion the artists they support do.

“This is why I felt something had to be done to fiscally recognise and assist these people who are vital to the music industry.”

Ian Paice recorded a video message, showing his support for ISO-Nation.

“The ones that are in real need are the guys that make every concert possible. That’s the road crew, the stage hands, the lighting guys, the sound guys, the riggers. Every one of them needs help” Paice said.

“They don’t have a royalty base to fall back on. ISO-Nation is a very innovative idea that allows you to purchase merchandise with all profits going to help road crews who have no way of providing their own livelihood.”

Jon Farris, a longtime friend of Kat Rallis, was also eager to get on board.

“Whilst there are a number of groups purporting to help the men and women of our industry I personally know ISO-Nation founder Kat Rallis who I have worked with over many years and I take great comfort from the fact that she works in the industry and has a genuine concern for her colleagues who are in many cases, financially destitute as a result of Covid-19” said Farris,

“I’m honoured to play a humble role along with the great Ian Paice in making some noise for an industry that is seen as very glamorous when operational but almost forgotten during the pandemic.” 

Rallis hopes that people will rally behind the industry by buying t-shirts, caps, hoodies, masks and other merch as a sign of solidarity and to boost folks financially.

“People can donate by all means, but I’d much rather they buy merchandise and proudly wear it to show that the music industry isn’t forgotten and won’t die!” she added.

“ISO-Nation is a call to action for those people who love live music and don’t want the lights to be switched off permanently.

“The fact that two rock legends in Ian Paice and Jon Farris have supported my initiative is very humbling, but more importantly, it demonstrates just how dire the consequences will be if we lose our road crews and venue staff.

“The silence really will be deafening.”

For more info, to donate or to buy merch head to www.iso-nation.com