The inauguration of Donald Trump this past weekend has rallied many musicians behind organizations that aim to protect vulnerable communities, including the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and others.
Wondering how you can help? Below, find ten recent releases whose proceeds will make the world a safer and better place and reward you with sweet tunes:
1. Arcade Fire Featuring Mavis Staples - "I Give You Power"
Available to stream and to purchase from iTunes, this surprise single from Arcade Fire delivers a similarly dark slinkiness to that of 2013's Reflektor but brings legendary singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples into the fold, with proceeds going to the ACLU.
2. Emma Ruth Rundle - "Forever, as the Setting Son"
Available for a minimum of $1 on Bandcamp, this sparse piano lamentation might be one of Rundle's most raw and emotional songs, and she's surely written her fair share. Proceeds will be split between Planned Parenthood Federal and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
3. Various - Battle Hymns
Available as a pay-what-you-can download on Quasi's website, this compilation album includes contributions from Janet Weiss, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein (all of Sleater-Kinney), as well as Jon Spencer, Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Mary Timony (Wild Flag), Stephen Malkmus and many more. Proceeds will be divided equally between Planned Parenthood, The ACLU and 350.org.
4. Various – Don't Stop Now: A Collection of Covers
Available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this compilation features a host of indie, punk and folk acts including Laura Stevenson, Abi Reimold, Jeff Rosenstock, Restorations, Radiator Hospital, and the Menzingers. A standout is Brittany Corrigan with the Sidekicks' cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Revolver." All proceeds go to the ACLU.
5. Lushlife - My Idols Are Dead + My Enemies Are In Power
Available as pay-what-you-can on its own website, this Philadelphia producer's new mixtape is a multi-disciplinary work bringing together artists, activists and academics ranging from Killer Mike and Open Mike Eagle to Jedediah Purdy and Sut Jhally, and takes aim at Trump and Nigel Farage, among others. All proceeds go to the ACLU.
6. Various - Our First 100 Days
This project will release a new song every day for 100 days through Bandcamp, and the beneficiaries of the proceeds are listed and described on their website. So far, Angel Olsen's "Fly On Your Wall" has kicked things off, and other artists scheduled to contribute include How to Dress Well, Toro Y Moi, the Range and more.
7. United Nations - "Stairway To Mar-a-Lago"
One of the most talked-about political screamo bands is back with a new, mysterious singer (replacing Thursday's Geoff Rickley) and a new song (on Bandcamp as pay-what-you-can) with lyrics like "it blows my mind how these Nazis took the stage and pandered to your deepest fears." All proceeds go to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.
8. Various - Is There Another Language?
Available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this Gezellig Records compilation features tracks from Mount Eerie, Surfer Blood, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and other indie rockers ranging from twinkly to gritty. TPoBPaH's track alone is worth the price of admission. All proceeds go to the ACLU.
9. Various - Sad! A Barsuk Records Compilation for the ACLU
Also available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this record brings together previously unreleased tracks by Barsuk artists (David Bazan, Mates of State, Maps & Atlases) covering other Barsuk artists (The Long Winters, Death Cab for Cutie, Ra Ra Riot). As the title indicates, all proceeds go to the ACLU.
10. Various - Physically Sick
Another pay-what-you-can compilation on Bandcamp, this one features 42 tracks of ambient, minimal, techno, house and other experimental electronic textures courtesy of Yaeji, Physical Therapy, Umfang, Max McFerren and many more. Proceeds go to the ACLU, Callen-Lorde, the National Immigration Law Center and Planned Parenthood.
Make a difference!
Wondering how you can help? Below, find ten recent releases whose proceeds will make the world a safer and better place and reward you with sweet tunes:
1. Arcade Fire Featuring Mavis Staples - "I Give You Power"
Available to stream and to purchase from iTunes, this surprise single from Arcade Fire delivers a similarly dark slinkiness to that of 2013's Reflektor but brings legendary singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples into the fold, with proceeds going to the ACLU.
2. Emma Ruth Rundle - "Forever, as the Setting Son"
Available for a minimum of $1 on Bandcamp, this sparse piano lamentation might be one of Rundle's most raw and emotional songs, and she's surely written her fair share. Proceeds will be split between Planned Parenthood Federal and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
3. Various - Battle Hymns
Available as a pay-what-you-can download on Quasi's website, this compilation album includes contributions from Janet Weiss, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein (all of Sleater-Kinney), as well as Jon Spencer, Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Mary Timony (Wild Flag), Stephen Malkmus and many more. Proceeds will be divided equally between Planned Parenthood, The ACLU and 350.org.
4. Various – Don't Stop Now: A Collection of Covers
Available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this compilation features a host of indie, punk and folk acts including Laura Stevenson, Abi Reimold, Jeff Rosenstock, Restorations, Radiator Hospital, and the Menzingers. A standout is Brittany Corrigan with the Sidekicks' cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Revolver." All proceeds go to the ACLU.
5. Lushlife - My Idols Are Dead + My Enemies Are In Power
Available as pay-what-you-can on its own website, this Philadelphia producer's new mixtape is a multi-disciplinary work bringing together artists, activists and academics ranging from Killer Mike and Open Mike Eagle to Jedediah Purdy and Sut Jhally, and takes aim at Trump and Nigel Farage, among others. All proceeds go to the ACLU.
6. Various - Our First 100 Days
This project will release a new song every day for 100 days through Bandcamp, and the beneficiaries of the proceeds are listed and described on their website. So far, Angel Olsen's "Fly On Your Wall" has kicked things off, and other artists scheduled to contribute include How to Dress Well, Toro Y Moi, the Range and more.
7. United Nations - "Stairway To Mar-a-Lago"
One of the most talked-about political screamo bands is back with a new, mysterious singer (replacing Thursday's Geoff Rickley) and a new song (on Bandcamp as pay-what-you-can) with lyrics like "it blows my mind how these Nazis took the stage and pandered to your deepest fears." All proceeds go to the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.
8. Various - Is There Another Language?
Available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this Gezellig Records compilation features tracks from Mount Eerie, Surfer Blood, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart and other indie rockers ranging from twinkly to gritty. TPoBPaH's track alone is worth the price of admission. All proceeds go to the ACLU.
9. Various - Sad! A Barsuk Records Compilation for the ACLU
Also available for a minimum of $7 on Bandcamp, this record brings together previously unreleased tracks by Barsuk artists (David Bazan, Mates of State, Maps & Atlases) covering other Barsuk artists (The Long Winters, Death Cab for Cutie, Ra Ra Riot). As the title indicates, all proceeds go to the ACLU.
10. Various - Physically Sick
Another pay-what-you-can compilation on Bandcamp, this one features 42 tracks of ambient, minimal, techno, house and other experimental electronic textures courtesy of Yaeji, Physical Therapy, Umfang, Max McFerren and many more. Proceeds go to the ACLU, Callen-Lorde, the National Immigration Law Center and Planned Parenthood.
Make a difference!
