Support Artists After Tragic House Fire
Donation protected
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, our friends Josh da Costa, Shags Chamberlain, Renee Lucille Clark, and Daryl Johns lost their home in a tragic fire. At around 6:30 pm, an arsonist set fire to two trees on the property on Avenue 54 in Highland Park. The blaze quickly spread to the attic before ripping through most of the home. Luckily, no one was injured, but Shags, Renee, and Daryl only had moments to escape to safety, without even time to put on shoes.
This fire has resulted in the loss of much of their personal belongings – including clothing, basic necessities, musical instruments, production equipment, and large collections of rare records – and they are all now displaced in the loss of their home. Along with this, all four residents worked from home, and also lost their studio workspaces. Although many items were retrieved and put into storage, the total scale of property loss will continue to reveal itself as they comb through boxes of their belongings that were likely irreparably harmed from intense smoke, water, and chemical damage. Any contribution at all will help replace what would normally be covered by renter’s insurance.
Over the last ten years, this home has been a welcoming hub for the art and music community of Los Angeles, and has been host to many traveling artists, touring musicians, music video shoots, recording sessions, and patio hangs. Many friendships, creative partnerships, serious relationships, and even some small businesses began at this house. Close to a hundred albums were produced here.
The goal of this fundraiser is to support the four housemates, Josh, Renee, Shags, and Daryl, both logistically and emotionally, as they navigate the aftermath of the fire. This safety net would allow them to move forward without feeling like they’ve been robbed of their home and their livelihoods.
Immediate rehousing needs include:
- First and last months’ rent for a new apartment ($1,800 x 2 = 3,600)
- Furniture replacement and replacement of all home goods ($1,500)
- Replacement of smoke/fire damaged clothing ($1,000)
- Increased living expenses during the transition period (food, transportation) ($500)
Total amount for one housemate: $6,600
$6,600 per housemate x 4
Total estimate = $26,400
—
Reimbursing initial costs to secure the house from looting and storage of salvaged property
Total estimate = $4,000
—
Replacing musical equipment (this equipment is essential to their livelihood as professional musicians)
Total estimate = $30,000
Items lost include countless vintage synthesizers, guitars, recording equipment, and two vast record collections which Josh and Shags used frequently for work as DJs. This is a current estimate of the damage incurred from the fire.
—
Total = $60,000
We’ve listed approximate costs for transparency, but we know there will likely be additional needs in the future as the full scale of this loss becomes more apparent.
With Gratitude,
Jamen Whitelock & Paula Kroll (Friend/Founding Tenant & Friend/Author)
This fire has resulted in the loss of much of their personal belongings – including clothing, basic necessities, musical instruments, production equipment, and large collections of rare records – and they are all now displaced in the loss of their home. Along with this, all four residents worked from home, and also lost their studio workspaces. Although many items were retrieved and put into storage, the total scale of property loss will continue to reveal itself as they comb through boxes of their belongings that were likely irreparably harmed from intense smoke, water, and chemical damage. Any contribution at all will help replace what would normally be covered by renter’s insurance.
Over the last ten years, this home has been a welcoming hub for the art and music community of Los Angeles, and has been host to many traveling artists, touring musicians, music video shoots, recording sessions, and patio hangs. Many friendships, creative partnerships, serious relationships, and even some small businesses began at this house. Close to a hundred albums were produced here.
The goal of this fundraiser is to support the four housemates, Josh, Renee, Shags, and Daryl, both logistically and emotionally, as they navigate the aftermath of the fire. This safety net would allow them to move forward without feeling like they’ve been robbed of their home and their livelihoods.
Immediate rehousing needs include:
- First and last months’ rent for a new apartment ($1,800 x 2 = 3,600)
- Furniture replacement and replacement of all home goods ($1,500)
- Replacement of smoke/fire damaged clothing ($1,000)
- Increased living expenses during the transition period (food, transportation) ($500)
Total amount for one housemate: $6,600
$6,600 per housemate x 4
Total estimate = $26,400
—
Reimbursing initial costs to secure the house from looting and storage of salvaged property
Total estimate = $4,000
—
Replacing musical equipment (this equipment is essential to their livelihood as professional musicians)
Total estimate = $30,000
Items lost include countless vintage synthesizers, guitars, recording equipment, and two vast record collections which Josh and Shags used frequently for work as DJs. This is a current estimate of the damage incurred from the fire.
—
Total = $60,000
We’ve listed approximate costs for transparency, but we know there will likely be additional needs in the future as the full scale of this loss becomes more apparent.
With Gratitude,
Jamen Whitelock & Paula Kroll (Friend/Founding Tenant & Friend/Author)
Fundraising team: Renee, Josh, Shags, Daryl & Jamen (2)
Renee Clark
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Josh Da Costa
Team member
