The launch event took place at the Short Stories restaurant in Los Angeles, organized in collaboration with Braga-based DJ Roger Milan and featured a special appearance by Portuguese DJ Miss Bliss.
The initiative aims to draw attention to the precarious situation of those who lost homes and businesses to the fire and to raise donations for the Altadena Community Preservation Fund.
“It was something that emerged organically,” said Nelson Abreu during the launch party.
The idea originated from a phone conversation with his friend Dilan Wijesinghe, who was sheltered at his house due to the devastating fires in Altadena, located 25 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles.
“His brother asked if he needed anything, to which he replied ‘socks and Birkenstocks,'” Nelson Abreu noted, finding it curious that this was his friend’s first request and thinking the phrase had a musical quality because of the rhyme.
“I started making jokes to distract him, and gradually, the joke became more serious,” the Portuguese remarked. Nelson Abreu had never written a song before but focused on crafting the lyrics and shared them with his friend, who later arranged the instruments for recording.
“I’ve always loved making music; it became my expressive freedom,” said Dilan Wijesinghe. “The creative process helped me a lot. It was a way to process everything that happened and a fun project with a friend, but also very therapeutic.”
The Portuguese host accommodated Dilan Wijesinghe for two months. Although his house was spared by the fire, asbestos and lead from old constructions contaminated the local water supply—making it unsafe even when boiled.
In Altadena, the Eaton fire destroyed six thousand homes and resulted in 17 fatalities between January 7 and 31. This was primarily an African-American community settled in the area during times when redlining in real estate prevented Black people from purchasing homes elsewhere.
“We saw that those who needed help most were the ones who had made the neighborhood interesting and who couldn’t build elsewhere in the city due to segregation practices,” Nelson Abreu explained. “We found a fund that precisely aids these families and thought of using music to inspire people to make donations.”
The duo believes that sponsorships and corporate donations to the fund may be possible with the help of the song, which they plan to promote on YouTube and other platforms subsequently.
Beyond its comedic element, with a rhythm and lyrics that invite dancing, “Socks & Birkenstocks” also highlights the role of climate change in the severity of these fires.
“This music also comes from the frustration of people with the fact that leaders are not doing enough to combat climate change and disasters,” Abreu noted.
Donations can be made by anyone through the link to the Altadena Community Preservation Fund shared in the YouTube video, regardless of their location worldwide.
If it gains traction, Nelson Abreu hopes the song will catch the attention of Birkenstock itself, encouraging the company to take an interest in aiding the Eaton fire victims.
