Carrying a message of peace
- Share via
Deirdre Newman
The band may have broken up, but one of the musicians is making sure
the message lives on.
Tyler Hoff, formerly of the band Standard Tint, is now flying
solo, continuing to promote the message of world peace.
Hoff is also following through on the band’s goal of traveling to
Africa, and he has an ambitious list of goals for the trip: helping
rebuild a school in Rwanda, bringing awareness of how to help prevent
and treat HIV and AIDS and helping the African band Peace Flag gain
exposure.
And he is asking the community to help him raise $6,000 for his
mission by May 1.
“I’m still putting my energy into Africa and fulfilling what I
believe my purpose is -- creating a world where education is through
music and travel,” Hoff said.
Sitting at the Alta Cafe on a recent evening, the boyish-faced
Hoff exudes a spiritual nature that belies his 19 years.
“I feel I have a motivation to do something so big,” he said.
“That motivation comes from the spirit of my ancestors. I know
they’re behind me -- pushing me on. It’s very powerful to have that
feeling of spirituality in my life.”
The band members of Standard Tint, which formed to promote peace,
parted ways after one and a half years, Hoff said. Now, Hoff is
planning to go to Africa in June with Kiro, the owner of the African
Corner in Costa Mesa, and Judy Knight, who helped Kiro create the
Moses Kazibwe Memorial Fund to help children in Africa.
Kiro said he is impressed with Hoff’s passion.
“I think it’s very nice for a young guy like him to help other
people and focus all this effort,” Kiro said. “He doesn’t have money.
He’s trying.”
Bringing awareness of AIDS prevention is important to Hoff because
of how much the disease has ravaged the country, he said.
“No matter how much music we make, people are dying,” Hoff said.
“They don’t even know about condoms and awareness so they can prevent
instead of repent.”
Hoff will also jam a little bit with Peace Flag and help the band
spread its very similar message.
“Our intentions are to help them fulfill their dream, and from
their conversations ... their dream is to help empower the children
and fight AIDS around the world,” Hoff said.
Hoff intends to chronicle his Africa trip through a documentary
film made by his friend Doug Bader, similar to the film of Paul Simon
and Bob Geldof’s trip to Africa. Those who donate will receive a
souvenir reflecting Hoff’s experience, he said.
“This is a triple win,” Hoff said. “Not only am I benefiting by
playing music and traveling, [but] the person who donates will
receive a package. And when we return, we will produce a CD or DVD
from the journey.”
The $6,000 Hoff is seeking will mainly go toward his travel
expenses. Donations beyond that amount will be given out through the
Moses Fund and through Hoff’s own program, the Human Exchange Musical
Programs.
The Human Exchange program is how Hoff intends to finance his
altruistic goals in the future. He envisions creating a book that
musicians could contribute to. The book will include the standard
lyrics and sheet music, accompanied by a unique feature: The
musicians will share their purpose and motivation for writing their
songs. He hopes musicians who share the same positive message he has
will be inclined to contribute to his book.
“I listen to songs and watch MTV -- it’s about drinking and girls
and derogatory statements,” Hoff said. “There are some musicians out
there who are producing this divine stream of energy and light and
healing energy. I want to focus on that.”
* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)
574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.