Self-employed musicians understand how challenging it can be to find work and pay the bills in this economy. In a competitive market, it's not always easy to ensure a steady income. But it's not uncommon for those working in the videogame industry to band together for a charitable event to help those in need. Novum Initium is the latest benefit album dedicated to working musicians who struggle to make ends meet due to illness or disability.
"There are many musicians who struggle with medical bills and making ends meet during tough times after dealing with unexpected health issues," said composer Sam Hulick in a press release, co-producer of the album. "We wanted to put together a special project to help our peers who are on that stressful road after recovery."
"We reached out to our friends in the video game industry and were overwhelmed with the response," explains composer and album co-producer Jason Graves. "This is obviously something everyone can relate to. As full-time composers, we are self-employed contractors and there's no such thing as 'time off' or 'paid vacation.' If we don't work, we don't get paid. Medical bills can add up quickly. That's the whole impetus behind the album."
Game music fans can help relief efforts by purchasing Novum Initium from Bandcamp, CDBaby.com, Amazon MP3, iTunes or 7digital.
Twenty limited edition CDs of the album will also be auctioned on eBay.
For more information, visit SweetRelief.org
See the full track list below.
“Lionheart” – Sam Hulick (Mass Effect™)
“Adagio Coda” – Brian Tyler (Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 3)
“Adrenaline” – Jason Graves (Dead Space™)
“Awakened” – Otto Cate (MAG) & Aubrey Ashburn(Dragon Age™)
“Underwood” – Inon Zur (The Lord of the Rings: War In The North)
“The Maelstrom” – Singlefrequency & Chad Seiter(Legend of Zelda™ 25th Anniversary Symphony)
“Shadows And Light” – Trevor Morris (Army of Two™)
“Chrysalis” – Neal Acree (World of Warcraft®)
“Trouble In Chinatown” – Tom Salta (Prince of Persia The Forgotten Sands™)
“Dancing Outtakes” – Garry Schyman (BioShock®)
“Versailles” – Ed Lima (Doom® 3)
“Consequence” – Neil Goldberg (Shift 2: Unleashed™)
“Lacus Turbatus” – Gerard Marino (God of War®)
“Espionage” – Mark Griskey (Star Wars™: The Old Republic™)
“House Of The Vine” – Mick Gordon (Shift 2: Unleashed™)
“The Left-Hand Path” – Cris Velasco & Sascha Dikiciyan (Warhammer® 40,000®: Space Marine®)
“Bullseye” – Christopher Lennertz (Medal of Honor: European Assault™) & Timothy Wynn (Red Faction®: Guerrilla™)
“I’m With You” – Jack Wall (Mass Effect™) & Cindy Shapiro (Myst® III: Exile™)
