Canadian artists join together for “What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling),” in support of Feel Out Loud
“What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling),” – a star-studded anthem and video in support of Feel Out Loud, Kids Help Phone’s largest youth mental health movement in Canadian history, is out now and playing on SiriusXM Poplandia. Over 50 Canadian artists united across the country to form the musical collective Artists for Feel Out Loud, with the sole purpose of amplifying the conversation around mental health and empowering young people to feel out loud.
“What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling)” weaves the compassionate lyrics from JUNO Award winner Serena Ryder’s “What I Wouldn’t Do” with the stunning bridge from Leela Gilday’s JUNO Award-winning song “North Star Calling” to create the soundtrack for Feel Out Loud, rallying the entire country to invest in youth mental health to help shape the future for young people in Canada.
The anthem and video bring together a pantheon of Canada’s best and brightest young talent, including Alessia Cara, JESSIA, Johnny Orlando, JP Saxe, Rêve, Roy Woods, The Reklaws, TOBi, Tyler Shaw and many more, and includes the moving and powerful addition of children’s choirs from both the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, BC and Chief Jimmy Bruneau School in Behchokǫ̀, NT. Both the “What I Wouldn’t Do (North Star Calling)” anthem and video were produced by Bob Ezrin, Randy Lennox (Loft Entertainment) and Carrie Mudd (Peacock Alley Entertainment), and supported by the combined resources of Spotify Canada, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bell Media, Cineplex, Google Music, TikTok, Meta, SiriusXM Canada, Snapchat, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada, Warner Music Canada, and YouTube.
“What I Wouldn’t Do” is a song about love, and I think learning to love ourselves is our most important journey in life,” shares Serena Ryder. “It’s an honour to reimagine the song with Leela Gilday, Bob Ezrin and all of the amazing musicians across Canada. I want to let young people know that it’s okay to not be okay, and there are caring, supportive people who are there for them, no judgement, no issue too big or too small. I hope as you listen to this song, you will be reminded we all have of our own struggles and needs, but help is available, Kids Help Phone is there”.
“The mental health and wellness of our Canadian youth is our top priority, and it is inspiring to see more than 50 young Canadian artists come together and lend their voices to Kids Help Phone’s Feel Out Loud campaign. They say it takes a village and, in this case, the entire music community has come together to embrace this critical issue,” shares Randy Lennox, Executive Producer for Artists for Feel Out Loud and Music Industry Executive, Loft Entertainment.
“We are truly moved by the overwhelming support from the music community – all coming together for youth mental health. Thank you for creating this masterpiece, reminding young people they’re not alone, and that Kids Help Phone is here, 24/7 for any and all feelings,” Katherine Hay, President & CEO, Kids Help Phone.
Artist representation and collaboration on the single and video spans provinces, territories, and cities from coast to coast to coast, representing a diverse group of talent with the equitable, informative, and creative intention of reaching underserved and equity-deserving youth across the country and within all communities.
The Kids Help Phone Feel Out Loud campaign is anchored by a fundraising initiative with a goal of raising $300 million to expand access to its e-mental health services, providing support without obstacles and reaching young people in every corner of Canada by 2024. No challenge is too big, and no feeling is too small.
All collected proceeds generated from the single will be donated to Kids Help Phone. To learn more and to donate to Feel Out Loud, please visit kidshelpphone.ca.
RELATED CHANNELS