Melbourne producer Hannah Amelia (aka Sadiva) loves her tech, she’s an obvious gearhead.
Peek at any video of her on YouTube and she’ll doubtless be hammering away at some gizmo or another, delivering her trademark sample-heavy, breakbeat-infused pieces of electronic goodness. Listening to her music, it’s not hard to believe she’s most at home surrounded by blinking lights, having to avoid tripping over cables and wires as she pieces together her next production.
So, when her home studio was robbed of $20,000 worth of gear recently while she was on tour, it was a double whack from the perpetrators; they invaded her house and stole her home.
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That’s why Section 8 is hosting God Save the Queen on July 16 in order to drum up some funds for Sadiva. The event has free entry (although there will be a raffle and there’s a donation link accessible through the Facebook event) and runs from 3pm through to 1am the next morning, with a stacked line-up (including the Queen herself for an hour-long spot behind the decks).
The Melbourne-based producer, who has been making music and DJing for the best part of the past decade, has been in the US “doing a small tour” prior to the event, and praised the ongoing generosity of relative strangers.
“The GoFundMe has gone well; it’s really helped me to get myself on my feet and move since the incident,” she says. “That money did help me more with getting myself sorted in a new place. After the robbery I felt quite unsafe in the house I was in.
“I can’t believe people wanted to help out so much.
“I have been lucky enough to come to the US briefly with my label to showcase some of the new music. Before this trip I was pretty ready to give up on music because I was struck with heartbreak after the situation, but I’ve had a lot of love thrown my way and it’s showed me that my music does connect with people.”
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She’s leaned especially heavy on other musician friends who have lent her gear: “I have been very blessed with some friends sending me care packages to get me on my feet for the moment, I have to shout out those who have helped me, they know who they are.”
As for Section 8, the charitable party has been set up through Section Aid, which was created in 2021 by a consortium of organisations to raise money for those working in the arts and hospitality in Melbourne during the lockdowns. By hosting DJ livestreams and other arts events, Section Aid was able to donate relief supplies to the lifeblood of Melbourne who were without enough work to get by.
Sadiva herself knows that this response from the iconic bar typifies the ongoing support from the Melbourne scene to the people that contribute to it. “This event shows that [our] community is so important, I have had so much love since the incident, even being overseas [with] people saying, ‘I saw that online.’”
“This event shows that we have a real music family here in Melbourne and when something horrible happens we’re all here to pick each other up, I am beyond grateful for that.”
With a handpicked lineup that includes Mrs Wallace, No Name Nath, Turbo Thot and more, Sadiva notes that the list of performers are “a bunch of people who I’ve been very connected with … I think it’s just to have a safe space for the evening.”
The warmth and excitement is flowing both ways, with Section 8’s Dina adding that “we’re hoping to see the Melbourne music community, fam and friends come together to support Sadiva during this difficult time… We hope we can raise enough money to help Sadiva start to rebuild her studio. We’re looking forward to hosting an awesome day of music for the community.”
And we agree. Bugger the Platinum Jubilee, there’s only one Queen Melbourne need worry about saving.
Donate to Sadiva’s GoFundMe page here and find more info / RSVP to the Section 8 fundraiser here.
