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GRAMMYs

'Heaven' Still Courtesy of Sam Spiegel

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Sam Spiegel Talks Mental Health, New Short Film djmusic-video-director-sam-spiegels-new-short-film-heaven-tackles-mental-health

DJ/Music Video Director Sam Spiegel's New Short Film 'Heaven' Tackles Mental Health

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'Heaven', out now on YouTube, looks at mental health through music and one woman's story
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Oct 28, 2020 - 2:18 pm

Music producer, DJ, and director Sam Spiegel has a story to tell.

In his new short film, Heaven, out now on YouTube, he tackles mental health, specifically suicide prevention, through one woman's story. In the film, we are introduced to dancer Nevaeh Meraz, who chronicles her experience at a mental care facility. In a place where everything is routine, she is taken out of her ordinary day when she feels the power of music during a dance class. That song is Spiegel's own “Don't Give Up” featuring  Sia, Vic Mensa and Busta Rhymes. 

After hearing Meraz's story, Spiegel, who lost a friend to suicide a year ago and has gone through his own struggle with depression, was moved to bring it to the world. "She has fought through so much hardship and adversity, but her passion for her art has been her saving grace. It’s carried her through it all," he told GRAMMY.com via email.

Ultimately, Spiegel wants the project to "give people struggling with mental health and particularly suicidal ideation some form of hope," he said.

He spoke to GRAMMY.com via email more about how Meraz's story touched him, his partnership with mental health services provider Didi Hirsch, and how making a film during the pandemic brought him closer to the project's crew. 

What inspired you to make this film?

[When] I met Nevaeh Meraz, her story was so powerful and moving. She has fought through so much hardship and adversity, but her passion for her art has been her saving grace. It’s carried her through it all. I identified with that, having suffered through a depression of my own and have found creativity to be my beacon of light in my darkest moments.

Did this project help you cope with your loss? If so, how?

For me, the project was purely a joyous expression. I loved every second of it. I just love filmmaking and the people on this project were all so stoked to be a part of it. It had a really beautiful spirit behind it. I do think that it was really cathartic and perhaps even therapeutic for Nevaeh, having lived this in her real life and it being a moment of intense trauma. I think that she felt revisiting it in this very safe and positive way seems to have been a blessing.

“Don't Give Up” features artists who have been open about their mental health struggles. Was that meaningful to you?

I really connected the pain and strength in the song to Nevaeh’s story. I think that all of the featured artists on here could identify with this film, which is great.



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Heaven: A Short Film...10/28/20 ⠀ .......................................................................⠀ .......................................................................⠀ Subscribe to my youtube page to see it first (link in bio)

A post shared by Sam I (@hiiamsam_i) on Oct 26, 2020 at 12:36pm PDT

A pandemic can be stressful and worsen mental health conditions (CDC). Is releasing the film now especially important to you?

For me, making the film and being connected to all of the artists that it takes to put a film like this together was really special during this time. It was so hard figuring out how to shoot this during the times of COVID, making sure everyone could remain safe and comfortable. We were originally going to be shooting in March and it ended up taking us seven months to figure it out! Insane! Being on set with everyone and feel how happy people were to be around each other making something they believed in made the wait worthwhile.

You are partnering with Didi Hirsch to raise funds. What made you want to partner with them specifically?

I’m hoping that the film can give people struggling with mental health and particularly suicidal ideation some form of hope. I lost a good friend to suicide a year ago. The loss made me feel more connected to Nevaeh when she told me her story. My hope is that her story can affect others the way it has affected me. Additionally, someone close to me lost their partner to suicide last year and she led us to Didi Hirsch, an agency that she had found impressive and helpful when she discovered them through her loss.

When working on finding a platform to show your film on, was accessibility a priority?

I’m a big fan of inclusion. I prefer [that] all of my creations are.

What do you hope people get out of the film?

More than anything, I want people to be moved by this film, and inspired by Nevaeh’s story and her power.

Donate directly to Didi Hirsch here: https://fanlink.to/SamxDidi

"Use Your Mentality, Wake Up To Reality": How 'Red Hot + Blue' Reimagined Classic Pop Songs To Enact Social Change

GRAMMYs

Photo: Ramon Costa/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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Virtual Game Night: 6 Music Games To Play 6-music-games-play-virtual-game-night-friends-family

6 Music Games To Play For A Virtual Game Night With Friends & Family

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Try these creative ways to stay connected, have fun and maintain good mental health during quarantine
Kit Stone
MusiCares
May 25, 2020 - 12:35 pm

For some, the first week of the stay at home order felt like a vacation — a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We watched too much television, ate too many snacks, danced in our pajamas in the middle of the afternoon, and rekindled our relationship with our favorite bedspreads. 

But for family-oriented individuals, the stay-at-home orders hit differently. Sunday dinners and game-nights have been put on hold to ensure everyone's safety during the pandemic. That doesn't mean that you can't spend quality time with your loved ones, it just means you need to get a little creative. 

The saying is true, you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and not being able to connect with friends and family in the way that we’re used to can take a toll on your emotional and mental health. So, we’ve got to get creative on ways to incorporate family time even if you can’t physically connect. Establishing a routine game night, even virtually, can provide the emotional lift you need to help you maintain during the quarantine. 

Spending time with family and friends, even virtually, can relieve stress, decrease anxiety and depression, improve sleep, improve relationships, and make you happier all around. As long as you have wifi, you can organize a game night that can still add hours of family fun to your day. 

If you come from a musical family where get-togethers turn into impromptu concerts or viral TikTok videos, this list is for you. These virtual music-themed games can increase your musical knowledge, give your friends and family a peek into your musical taste, get your creative juices flowing and lift your mood. 

1. Verzuz 

Instagram got an instant upgrade when mega producers Timbaland and Swiss Beatz went hit for hit in the first Verzuz challenge. Since then, millions have gathered around their phones, tablets, and computers and watched artists like Teddy Riley and Babyface, Ryan Tedder and Benny Blanco, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, and most recently, Ludacris and Nelly go hit for hit. You don’t have to wait for the next chart-topping artists to experience your next battle. Pick your favorite artist and challenge a friend. You can even invite others to listen in and choose the winner.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/CARL1DQJ8LW

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A post shared by Timbo the King (@timbaland)

2. Don’t Forget the Lyrics 

Are you a master at song lyrics? Well, even if you’re not, this will be a fun game. Each person takes turns playing a piece of a song. Without warning, stop the song and have the challenger finish the lyrical phrase. In order to get the point, they have to finish the lyrics word for word. If you want to be nice, you can let the other player sacrifice a point in order to give them a clue. The first person to get 12 song lyrics right, wins! Options: You can change the number from 12 to 20 or just 5, depending on how long you want to make your game.

3. Name That Tune

Start by playing an intro of a song. Before the verse starts, stop the song and wait for the other person to guess the title and the artist. Only the correct title gets the point. Partial or “almost” titles don’t count. Play one-on-one, or in teams. Make it more challenging by sticking to one genre or a specific decade. The parameters are up to you, so have fun with it!

4. Music Trivia

Normally, for this game, you would need a trivia master. That person would have to create a Google Doc of musical categories and questions similar to Jeopardy. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with the “Ask GRAMMYs” music trivia game, compatible with Alexa and Google Home. You can test your music knowledge in categories that cover country music stars to rock legends and previous GRAMMY winners. The game refreshes every Monday with a new category so choose your team wisely. Check out this calendar to see what’s coming next. 

https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad/status/1253372567328612353

Looking for the perfect way to stay entertained while social distancing? Test your music knowledge with our weekly #GRAMMYTrivia.

Simply say "Ask GRAMMYs" to your #GoogleHome or #Alexa to get started! https://t.co/XPr5BmzzW3

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) April 23, 2020

5/25 – The GRAMMYs Goes To The Opera
6/1 – Pride + Music
6/8 – The '60s
6/15 – The '70s
6/22 – The '80s
6/29 – '90s R&B

5. Song Association

This game can be played one-on-one or with teams. One person gives a member of the opposite team a word. That person has 10 seconds to sing a song with that word in it. If the time runs out, the person doesn’t get the point and it’s the other team’s turn. The first team or player to get 10 right, or however many you decide, wins. Easy words to start with are colors, places and objects.

6. Dance Freeze

Dancing carries its own benefits to health and wellness. Something as simple as moving your body can boost your cognitive performance, mood, and improve your cardiovascular health. It’s also an activity that all ages can enjoy from your barely walking tots to your more seasoned relatives. Designate a DJ. The DJ will play music and the other players will dance. Once the DJ stops the music, the players have to freeze in whatever dance position they’re in. The DJ watches to make sure they’re frozen in place. Anyone that moves is automatically out. The last player dancing wins. This a great game to get the whole family up and moving.

Kit Stone is a multimedia storyteller and digital content creator. A native of California, she credits her love of all things creative to the influence of the Bay Area culture she grew up in, and the part her family, Sly & the Family Stone, played in shaping it. Since receiving her degree in visual storytelling and media production from Cal State East Bay, Kit has used her passion for storytelling to inspire, educate, and entertain. When she’s off the clock, you can find her curled up with a good book or watching episodes of "The Golden Girls."

Read More: 11 Meditation Apps To Help You Get Calm & Centered During Quarantine & Beyond

Read more: How To Use Music Techniques To Prepare Healthy Food

Learn more about how you can donate to or apply for assistance via the Recording Academy's and MusiCares' COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Learn more about the financial, medical and personal emergencies services and resources offered by the Recording Academy and MusiCares. 

Holiday sheet music
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Holiday Music And Your Mental Health how-holiday-music-affects-your-mental-health

How Holiday Music Affects Your Mental Health

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Love it or hate it, there's no doubt holiday music has an impact on our mental health
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 27, 2017 - 12:17 pm

There are generally two kinds of people in this world: Those who love holiday music and those who can't stand it. Regardless of which side of the fence you stand, it turns out science has an explanation.

Scientists tell NBC News it all comes down to your childhood association with holiday music.

"Our response to Christmas songs depends on the association," said Dr. Rhonda Freeman, a clinical neuropsychologist. "Many of us associate this music with childhood and a happy time of presents and traditions and all the specialness that happens around that time of year."

However, on the other side, those who had a difficult childhood or who associate the season with loss find that holiday music brings on more painful associations.

The reason these childhood holiday music impressions have so much power over us even as adults is thatthe prefrontal cortex area of the brain, the rational thinking part of the brain, is still developing in children. As a result, a child's brain is more emotional, and those emotional associations around music stick well past adolescence. 

Because we listen to the same body of holiday music year after year since the time we are small, and tunes like "Silent Night" or "Carol Of The Bells" are designed to elicit an emotional response, it makes complete sense it's hard to get these songs out of our heads and hearts.

So love them or hate them, know you're not alone in your holiday music feels.

U.K. Charity Brings Live Holiday Music To Senior Centers

How to Watch The 2021 GRAMMYs
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2021 GRAMMYs: Full Performer Lineup Announced 2021-grammys-performers-taylor-swift-bad-bunny-cardi-b-bts-billie-eilish-dua-lipa-megan-thee-stallion-post-malone-harry-styles

Full Performer Lineup For 2021 GRAMMY Awards Show Announced: Taylor Swift, BTS, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles And More Confirmed

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The 2021 GRAMMY Awards show performer lineup will also include performances from Black Pumas, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Mickey Guyton, Haim, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Post Malone and more
GRAMMYs
Mar 7, 2021 - 10:00 am

Today (Sunday, March 7) the Recording Academy announced the full lineup for the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show, officially known as the 63rd GRAMMY Awards. Performers include Bad Bunny, Black Pumas, Cardi B, BTS, Brandi Carlile, DaBaby, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Mickey Guyton, Haim, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Lil Baby, Dua Lipa, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Megan Thee Stallion, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift. Artists will be coming together, while still safely apart, to play music for each other as a community and celebrate the music that unites us all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMIUTMLpLH4

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Additionally, Music's Biggest Night will pay tribute to the independent venues, which have been greatly impacted by the pandemic. From bartenders to box office managers, those who work day-to-day at the Troubadour (Los Angeles), the Hotel Café (Los Angeles), the Apollo Theater (New York City), and the Station Inn (Nashville) will present various categories throughout the night.

Read: How To Watch The 2021 GRAMMY Awards Show: A Viewer's Guide On Where To Watch Music's Biggest Night

Hosted by Trevor Noah, CBS and the Recording Academy present the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, airing live on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS Television Network and also available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Check out our official Watch The 2021 GRAMMYs Live page to learn about the different ways you can watch the show and experience the 2021 GRAMMY season in full.

To view a list of current nominations per artist, please visit our GRAMMY Awards performer and presenter page here.

2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominees List

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SiriusXM launches The GRAMMY Channel
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SiriusXM Launches The GRAMMY Channel recording-academy-and-siriusxm-launch-grammy-channel-2021

The Recording Academy And SiriusXM Launch The GRAMMY Channel Ahead Of The 2021 GRAMMY Awards Show

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Airing Tuesday, March 2, through Sunday, March 14, on SiriusXM, the limited-edition The GRAMMY Channel will feature music from some of this year's nominees
Recording Academy
Mar 2, 2021 - 3:38 pm

To celebrate the upcoming 63rd GRAMMY Awards, the Recording Academy and SiriusXM have announced the launch of The GRAMMY Channel, a limited-edition channel featuring a variety of music from some of this year's nominees. 

Launching Tuesday, March 2, at noon ET and running through GRAMMY night (Sunday, March 14) on SiriusXM channel 104, The GRAMMY Channel will highlight the music and artists celebrated across the GRAMMY Awards' 30 Fields, including current nominees like Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, DaBaby, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers, Post Malone, Roddy Ricch, Taylor Swift and more.  

Listeners can also expect to hear music from the 2021 class of Lifetime Achievement Award honorees such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Salt-N-Pepa, Selena and Talking Heads, as well as exclusive interviews with music's biggest stars from behind the scenes at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards.  

SiriusXM's The GRAMMY Channel is available to listeners nationwide on SiriusXM radios, on the SiriusXM app and at home with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant or however they stream in their house. Streaming access is included for most subscribers. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more. 

The GRAMMY Channel leads up to the live broadcast of Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, March 14, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS. 

Learn more about The GRAMMY Channel on SiriusXM. 

GRAMMY Awards Radio Launches On Pandora Ahead Of The 2021 GRAMMYs Show

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.