We’re fortunate enough to live in a time where we’re surrounded by artists. Musicians, painters, sculptors, writers. There’s so many different ways for someone to use art as a form of self expression, and through my volunteer work, I was fortunate enough to meet a pretty amazing band called Crash The Party.
If you’re familiar with the music scene in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New York - you’ve probably heard of them. I was participating in a volunteer project I created that centered around using art and music as forms of self expression for ill children in local hospitals. There was a few things I had to keep in mind as I did my volunteer project, specifically the fact that I was not allowed to spend money, everything I used had to be a donation of some sort.
I had shirts donated to me by an awesome t-shirt company on Long Island …., and when I reached out to Crash The Party, I was a little nervous. They were mainly focused in Connecticut at the time, so I was nervous that because of traveling and busy schedules, it wouldn’t work out. Ian Reebs and Christopher Swane are the main members of Crash The Party, and were an absolute joy to work with.
Crash The Party is known for upbeat, pop songs and covers that they frequently post on YouTube, along with having multiple EP’s up for sale. I didn’t really know what I was expecting when we met up to work with the children in the hospital that day, but my expectations were completely blown out of the water by the end of our session at the hospital.
Chris and Ian played a cover of Taylor Swift’s ‘We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together’ and One Direction’s ‘Best Song Ever’. With those popular songs, they also played their own song titled ‘Call You Mine’. The two were interacting with the children in such a great manner, really breaking down any barriers we had as we were all strangers once we set foot into the room.
After playing some of the popular music that the kids knew, they took to suggestions from the children which they used to create their own songs. One song requested was one that had to do with turtles and donkeys, and I think they did a pretty great job at performing on the spot. Another one was about pigs with mustaches, and then one about sharks, mustaches, and the sound ‘ahhh’. I was amazed at how well Chris and Ian worked with these kids, and I’ll add some links to the videos as well.
We didn’t just do music, though. We also as a group worked on a children’s book I created, with coloring pages and a music shaker craft, riddles and crossword puzzles. The energy in the room was so high, and you wouldn’t of known these kids were sick unless you knew we were in the hospital. I was so amazed at how great these boys were, and I’m so thankful. If you’re looking for new music, I would most certainly recommend checking them out!