In the lingering shadow of California’s wildfires, the global electronic music community has come together to offer something profoundly tangible. On Earth Day 2025, a sprawling initiative called We Give A Jam!!! was launched with a singular goal: to support those affected by the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires around Los Angeles. What began as a gesture of solidarity has quickly become one of the most inspiring grassroots efforts in recent memory, pulling together over 50 artists from across the globe for a noble cause.
Behind the project is Acid Tourist—known to most as Hólmar—alongside Electronic Groove and Listed Bookings. With decades of experience across DJ booths, dancefloors, and organizing circles, Hólmar found himself reckoning with something larger than music. “I guess you could say I had a bit of a mid-rave-crisis right before I turned 50,” he admits. “I asked myself: Why am I still doing this? Do I just keep waving my hands in the air like I just don’t care? Or do I turn this party into something with a deeper purpose?”
That question became the spark for We Give A Jam!!!—a five-hour compilation, entirely made of exclusive, donated tracks by world-renowned artists, including Acid Pauli, DJ Sneak, Anja Schneider, Danny Howells, Atish, Soul Clap, FSQ (featuring George Clinton), Francesca Lombardo, Doc Martin, Mr. C, and many more. For Hólmar, the launch date was no coincidence: “We chose Earth Day for a reason. Our planet is in crisis, and so are the communities living on it. The wildfires in California are just one of many symptoms of a larger environmental emergency.”
This wasn’t his first foray into collective action. Back in the late ’90s, Hólmar helped organize Save The Gardens, a successful effort to protect community green spaces in New York’s Lower East Side. That experience left a deep impression. “Seeing our community rally back then was unforgettable, and when this moment arrived, it felt right to do it again, for a city that has given so much to us all. Sitting back and doing nothing just wasn’t an option.”
“I asked myself: Why am I still doing this? Do I just keep waving my hands in the air like I just don’t care? Or do I turn this party into something with a deeper purpose?”
But, more than a compilation, We Give A Jam!!! is a decentralized act of mutual aid. Supporters are encouraged to donate directly to verified charities supporting wildfire victims in Los Angeles. After sending proof of donation, they receive a private download link to access the entire release. “That’s the spirit of mutual aid, right? Giving what you can, when you can, to lift each other,” Hólmar says. “No red tape, no middlemen—just people showing up for people.”
The music itself tells a powerful story. Curation was no easy feat, with 55 artists submitting tracks that spanned wide stylistic territory. “There were so many submissions… So the challenge became: how do we tell a story with all these jams? Stitching them together into a five-hour sonic journey that somehow flows seamlessly was a rewarding puzzle to solve,” Hólmar explains. “It’s a trip through many soundscapes, and I’m really proud of how it came together.”
There’s also a deeply personal layer. Hólmar’s connection to the Los Angeles area runs through family and friendships: “My daughter’s family is based in Los Angeles, and I’ve been visiting them since I first immigrated to the U.S. in ’96… Having lived through both 9/11 and the pandemic in New York, the emotional resonance of what was happening in LA hit me hard. It felt all too familiar.”
Part of the compilation’s heart lies in the spirit of generosity it tapped into. One artist’s story in particular stuck with Hólmar: “Mark Bell, aka Blakkat, has lived in LA for many years and was deeply affected by the fires. Not only did he contribute an incredible original track, but he also stepped up to master the entire compilation and connected us with other artists who went on to join the project. He became an essential part of our team.”
As one might imagine, none of this would have happened without a strong coalition. Hólmar points to the indispensable roles played by Electronic Groove and Listed Bookings. “It was Gunita Nagpaul who brought us together and connected us with many artists in her thick metaphysical Rolodex,” he says with a smile. “Mauricio Viana helped build the backend to support the platform, Javier Romero and Armando Bencid crafted social media assets, and they, with the rest of the Electronic Groove team, offered collaboration at every level.”
But the emotional core of the project, according to Hólmar, is Jasmine, his wife and creative partner. “She runs our social media, creates artwork and digital assets, and handles a lot of the artist outreach. Without her dedication and tireless work, this project wouldn’t have happened.”
“When artists offer their work for a greater good, it taps into the collective consciousness. It becomes more than just music—it becomes medicine for the body and soul”
When asked whether this is a one-off or the beginning of something bigger, Hólmar is measured but hopeful. “Right now, we’re focused on seeing this through. There’s still work to be done. But I do believe this could become something bigger. We proved that DJs and producers can come together to raise awareness and funds for meaningful causes.”
At a time when electronic music is often criticized for commercial bloat or ecological negligence, We Give A Jam!!! feels like an overdue course correction: an artist-led, zero-profit blueprint for cultural action. “Music is one of the purest forms of energy exchange. It heals and brings people together,” Hólmar says. “When artists offer their work for a greater good, it taps into the collective consciousness. It becomes more than just music—it becomes medicine for the body and soul.”
For potential supporters still on the fence, Hólmar has a final message: “Every little bit helps, truly. Whatever you can contribute—whether it’s a donation, tagging, or sharing the cause with a friend, it all makes a difference. So please, show you give a damn. Donate, download, spread the word—and enjoy the jams.”
Learn more about the initiative on We Give A Jam’s official website and make your donation here.
