Music benefit drums up support for Japan

Andrea Sykes knew she wanted to help Japan the moment she learned of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

"As soon as I heard about it, [I thought,] ‘Oh a benefit,'" said Sykes, an ACC commercial music management major. "I'm just going to do it. Japan really needs our help, and it's really bad over there."

Sykes, whose marketing consulting and event planning company is named Bearded Allies, organized a benefit show on April 9 at Scoot Inn for the survivors in Japan. The eclectic mix of local bands attracted people to the East Austin venue even though they had to deal with the downtown street closures for Texas Relays.

Sykes and the bands shared their gratitude throughout the night.

"Thank you, Bearded Allies, for booking us. This is awesome, and much appreciated," Ryan McGills, guitarist/vocalist for Little Lo, said during his band's set. "Thank you for coming out tonight. It was pretty crazy out there coming over here."

The proceeds from the show went to the Mercy Corps charity, a non-profit that provides emergency supplies to the families that were evacuated from their homes in Japan. The organization also helps children with the emotional effects through the program Comfort for Kids.

"The past few benefits I [donated to] Care.org. I wanted to switch it up... I was going through all sorts of different organizations, and I thought that Mercy Corps was the best one," said Sykes. "They're donating the money to the children and families. I'm big on children... and that is what our future is, so I want to help the children in need."

In the past, Sykes has also organized other benefit shows helping other countries in crisis like Haiti and Pakistan.

"I really want to give back to the world, because I'm a very caring person," said Sykes. "I really want to help other people... It's so much fun doing it. I love it, and it can get stressful, but it's worth it."