Rhodes and UK Artist, Nicolas Dixon, Collaborate on Limited Edition MK8 Piano Collection to Benefit Last Night A DJ Saved My Life Foundation (LNADJ)

Leeds, United Kingdom, October 22, 2024 — Rhodes Music proudly announces the release of a limited edition MK8 piano collection, designed by UK abstract artist Nicolas Dixon, known for his bold, expressive style and growing international acclaim. The collection features up to 40 limited edition pianos, available in two distinct designs (20 of each), and one 100 percent unique, hand-painted MK8, which will be exclusively auctioned in collaboration with the charity Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ)

LNADJ supports communities in India and Africa by constructing sustainable wells and offering creative education programs in music and art to children and young adults living on the streets. Proceeds from both the limited edition pianos and the auction of the exclusive hand-painted MK8 will go towards supporting LNADJ’s efforts, funding the construction of at least five wells; this has the power to help thousands of children, young people and their families access clean water.

Fusing Art and Music: Nicolas Dixon’s Bold Vision for the MK8 Collection
Dixon’s abstract style, which he describes as “coloring the unconscious,” is at the heart of this unique collaboration. Known for his expressive, spontaneous approach, Dixon’s work reflects deeper emotional and subconscious themes. His vibrant use of color and dynamic, interconnected shapes creates a sense of energy and flow in every piece. With a background in the music scene as a former DJ, Dixon has hand-painted iconic clubs in Ibiza, produced album covers for renowned DJ Eats Everything, and created bespoke works showcased globally.

Dixon has been heavily involved with the charity LNADJ since 2018, contributing his talents to meaningful social projects. His work with the charity includes painting murals at schools for orphan boys in Tanzania and Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, Dixon uses his art to foster creativity and hope.

For Dixon, the opportunity to bring his art to the Rhodes MK8 piano was a natural merging of his two creative worlds. “It’s the perfect fusion — the combination of art and music, my two passions coming together,” says Dixon. “Painting on a piano creates an interactive piece where the visual and auditory intertwine. It’s a chance to bring my expressive, emotive style to an instrument that will be experienced and appreciated in a whole new way.”

For the MK8 collection, Dixon approached the piano design as both a musical instrument and a canvas. Drawing inspiration from the iconic Rhodes sound of the 1960s and 1970s, he sought to merge the instrument’s rich legacy with his bold, abstract style. As Dixon describes, “I wanted the piano to have that element of fun and the sense that anything is possible, much like the spirit of classic albums like the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's. The colors I chose have a nostalgic, vibrant quality, almost like stepping back into the glory days of the 60s and 70s, with music icons like Elton John and Stevie Wonder.”

The 40 custom pianos (20 of each) feature two distinct designs: “Tequila Sunrise,” bursting with bright, warm colors reminiscent of a summer sunset, and “Moon Boogie,” a grayscale version for a more subtle aesthetic. Dixon also hand-painted one special MK8, meticulously crafting every detail, from the piano lid to the legs.

Harnessing the power of art to create global change
Founded in 2010, Last Night a DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ) is a prominent charity in the electronic music industry. By tapping into the transformative power of music, the charity collaborates with the global dance music community to support life-changing initiatives — from building freshwater wells to offering music education for children and young adults who face significant barriers to learning.

Access to clean water, education and vocational training, specifically in music and art, are huge drivers for encouraging street youth to engage with LNADJ’s grassroots partners. LNADJ’s international work is crucial in helping young people stay safe and avoid the dangers of life on the streets.

Music and art education, the LNADJ way, is not about becoming the next big thing; it’s about building hope, keeping safe, creating community, fostering connection, expressing oneself and experiencing the joy that creativity brings.

For this release, Rhodes will donate £500 to LNADJ for each piano sold, including the auctioned hand-painted MK8 by Nicolas Dixon. This initiative, supporting LNADJ's key campaign Have a Drink on Us, aims to raise up to £20,000, funding the construction of 4 to 8 wells and providing clean drinking water for thousands of people, transforming the health, education, and overall quality of life in these communities. To view the auction or place a bid, please visit the official auction website. The auction will close on Sunday, October 27.

Ellie Talebian from LNADJ highlights the significance of the project: “The well will transform the daily lives of this community. Often women and children collectively walk around 200 miles a day for dirty and unsafe drinking water. Many girls miss out on education because they spend hours each day fetching water. This project will not only improve access to clean water but also give these children the opportunity to attend school, play with friends, and most importantly, be children.”

The Rhodes MK8: Craftsmanship, Innovation, and Timeless Sound
The Rhodes MK8 is the latest evolution of the iconic electric piano, celebrated for its warm, dynamic tone. Building on Harold Rhodes’ original design, the MK8 incorporates modern innovations, including a fully analogue signal path and hand-wired components.

Each piano in the Nicolas Dixon collection comes equipped with built-in FX as standard, offering preamp drive, compression, chorus, phaser, delay, EQ, and vari-pan for versatile sound shaping directly from the instrument. The MK8’s carefully weighted keys and solid wooden cabinet provide a premium playing experience, blending classic craftsmanship with contemporary functionality.

About Rhodes
For Rhodes loyalists around the world, this is a new chapter in Rhodes history; not a new book. With the Rhodes MK8, we’re returning to the principles, aesthetic, craftsmanship and pride of Harold Rhodes’ originals. We’re paying homage to the past with our gaze fixed firmly on what lies ahead.