January 20, 2010
Haitian Relief Benefit
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel

Thom Yorke after a solid DJ set

There are many things I love about LA. One of them the weather (although a traffic nightmare this week), the ability to surf and then ski all in the same day, and last-minute benefit concerts featuring Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich, Gaz Coombes & Danny Goffey (Supergrass and The Hot Rats). Yes, Maroon 5 was there too, as were a slew of celebrities.

The reason for this impromptu gathering of creative sound purveyors was to raise money to provide additional relief to Haiti.  The night offered the utmost gratifying experience as we simultaneously danced and generated funds for the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Maroon 5 played in the front room (aka the hotel lobby converted into a private space), while Yorke, Godrich, Coombes, and Goffey spun tunes in the bar.  The DJ sets were a diverse blend of soulful classics, dubstep, hip hop, and hard hitting dance tracks.  I spent the entire evening in the back room (aka Teddy’s) dancing, while overhearing occasional reports from the front room.

Two tips for next time, and then off to bed:
1. Thom Yorke is not a wedding DJ. Don’t go up and request songs – he knows music (dare I say) better than you

2.  If you can’t find the bar, it’s time to stop drinking. Yes, toward the end of the night a woman actually walked up to the DJ booth, cash in hand, to order a drink. She was very disappointed to see her “bartender” replaced by Thom Yorke.

Only in Hollywood…

Many thanks to everybody who made the night what it was and for your contributions to providing relief in Haiti.

Danny Goffey

Maroon 5