Carrying a message of peace

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 deirdre.newman@latimes.com.