Harmony 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, Harmony on Wheels will amplify voices often left unheard—immigrants, refugees, indigenous communities, the economically disadvantaged, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others—transforming their stories into powerful songs.
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:
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).
Empower marginalised communities by providing access to a professional mobile music studio where their stories and experiences can be translated into music.
Foster cultural exchange and dialogue by engaging local musicians and storytellers to collaborate on songs that reflect diverse perspectives.
Create an accessible archive of musical stories that reflects the depth and breadth of marginalised experiences in modern society.
Provide free music education and workshops to aspiring musicians and storytellers in the communities we visit.
Raise awareness and advocate for social change by sharing the music and stories produced on major platforms, social media, and through live performances.
Van Purchase and Customisation: Acquire and outfit a van with necessary equipment, including soundproofing, professional-grade audio recording technology, and a mobile editing suite.
Equipment Acquisition: Purchase audio gear such as microphones, monitors, computers, software (DAW), portable instruments, and power solutions (solar or battery systems).
Launch Plan & Partnerships: Establish collaborations with community organisations, cultural centres, and artists in target areas.
Community Outreach & Workshops: Travel to selected communities in Colombia. Host free music workshops, teaching storytelling and basic music production.
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.
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.
Community Spotlights: Feature specific communities in podcasts, YouTube series, and local media outlets to raise awareness about their stories and causes.
Investing in Our Sound
The total budget for this project proposal is €20,000. This investment will help us create high-quality music that resonates with our audience.
€17,500 allocated for the vehicle aquisition
€1,000 reserved for the cusomisation of the van into a portable studio.
Additional costs will include gas, maintanance, promotional activities, lodging and food.
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.
Within this project we focuss on the recording, distribution and promotion of music by artists from marginalised communities
In this project we hear the stories of the people of Sucre that make this world a better place.
Society can only heal if we first heal ourselves. In this project we focus on inner healing before we turn outwards and work on a better world
Here we listen to common people that make the world a better place
Amsterdam,
the Netherlands
Whatsapp: +573202085817
Email: info@upeksha-vor.org
IBAN: NL36 INGB 0007930674
ATTN: Stichting Upeksha - Voices of Resilience
BIC: INGBNL2A
CCI: 80727247
RSIN: 861776458