Upeksha on Wheels
about this project
Music on Wheels is a mobile music studio designed to travel across regions, engaging marginalised communities to share their stories through the creation of original music. We aim to empower underrepresented groups by providing a platform for their voices to be heard, blending personal narratives with sound to foster connection, healing, and social change.
Through storytelling, collaboration, and music production, Music on Wheels will amplify voices often left unheard—immigrants, refugees, Indigenous communities, economically disadvantaged people, and others—transforming their stories into powerful soundtracks.
Music on Wheels
Imagine a van transformed into a travelling music studio, rolling through towns and cities, recording untold stories and transforming them into powerful songs. That’s exactly what Harmony on Wheels is all about—a mobile music project dedicated to creating a space for marginalised voices to be heard through the universal language of music.
Too often, the stories of underserved communities go unheard. Whether it’s immigrants, refugees, Indigenous groups, LGBTQ+ folks, or economically marginalised people, their experiences are vital, their stories rich with resilience, yet their voices are often drowned out. Our mission is simple: we want to give these stories the platform they deserve through the power of music.
Here’s how it works
We’ll be taking a van, transforming it into a state-of-the-art music studio on wheels, and hitting the road. From one community to the next, we’ll collaborate with local musicians, storytellers, and artists to produce music that speaks directly to the lived experiences of marginalised people. Each track will capture the heart of a community, weaving personal stories into soundtracks of hope, struggle, joy, and transformation.
How You Can Help
We need your support to make this dream a reality! Your donation will go towards:
- Converting the van into a fully functional recording studio
- Purchasing high-quality audio equipment
- Covering travel costs so we can reach diverse communities
- Providing free workshops and training to aspiring local musicians
By donating, you become part of a movement that amplifies voices, fosters connection, and uses music as a tool for healing and change. Whether you can contribute $5 or $500, every little bit brings us closer to the goal of making Harmony on Wheels a reality.
Upeksha (उपेक्षा, “equanimity”)
“The fourth element of true love is upeksha, which means equanimity, nonattachment, nondiscrimination, evenmindedness, or letting go. Upa means “over,” and iksh means “to look.” You climb to mountain to be able to look over the whole situation, not bound by one side or the other. If your love has attachment, discrimination, prejudice, or clinging in it, it is not true love. (…) Upeksha has the mark called samatajñana, “the wisdom of equality,” the ability to see everyone as equal, not discriminating between ourselves and others. In a conflict, even though we are deeply concerned, we remain impartial, able to love and to understand both sides. We shed all discrimination and prejudice, and remove all boundaries between ourselves and others.”” (Nhat Hanh, 1998: 174).
Goals
Goals
These are the main goals of Music on Wheels
01
Empower marginalised communities
02
Foster cultural exchange and dialogue
03
Create an accessible archive of musical stories
04
Provide free music education and workshops
05
Raise awareness, advocate for change
Plan of Action
Plan of Action
The plan the realise the Music on Wheels can be divided in four stages:
01
Van Conversion and Setup
Van Purchase and Customisation
Purchase a van and outfit it with necessary equipment, including soundproofing, professional-grade audio recording technology, and a mobile editing suite.
Equipment Acquisition
Purchase and set up audio equipment: microphones, monitors, computers, software (DAW), portable instruments, and power solutions (solar or battery systems).
Launch Plan & Partnerships
Establish partnerships with community organisations, cultural centres, and artists in target areas.
02
Community Engagement & Music Creation
Community Outreach & Workshops
Travel to selected communities and host free music workshops, teaching storytelling and basic music production, empowering locals to tell their own stories.
Collaborative Storytelling & Music Creation
Work directly with participants to create original music that captures their personal or collective experiences. Each session will produce at least one completed song that represents the voices of the community.
Live Performances & Sharing
Host live performances in each community or via livestream, allowing the music to be heard locally and globally. Encourage dialogue and feedback, turning each song into a shared cultural moment.
03
Archiving & Sharing the Stories
Digital Release & Distribution
Publish the songs and stories on streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.), social media, and a dedicated website featuring videos, blog posts, and interviews from the road.
Community Spotlights
Feature specific communities in podcasts, YouTube series, and local media outlets, raising awareness about their stories and causes.
Why This Project Matters
Music has always been a universal language that transcends barriers, heals wounds, and brings people together. Yet, many communities lack access to professional platforms to tell their stories in a way that resonates beyond their immediate circle. By creating Harmony on Wheels, we are using music not only as a form of creative expression but also as a powerful tool for storytelling, advocacy, and social change.
Through this project, we aim to amplify voices, inspire hope, and create a new kind of cultural dialogue—one that celebrates diversity, encourages empathy, and invites the world to listen.
