Stream the New 'Taking It to Heart' Charity Comp with Kevin Drew, Operators, Chad VanGaalen, the Besnard Lakes

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Sep 22, 2016

Calgary record label Treeline Recordings had detailed plans for the first volume of Heart & Stroke Foundation benefit compilation Taking It to Heart late last month, featuring B-sides, remixes and live cuts from a host of Canadian artists. A little over a week from its official release, Exclaim! has your first listen to collection right here. 

As previously reported, the 13-track compilation includes an alternate version of Operators' "Shape of Things to Come" featuring guest vocals from Perfect Pussy singer Meredith Graves, along with previously unreleased material from Chad VanGaalen, the Besnard Lakes, Wayne Petti of Cuff the Duke, Duotang, Nap Eyes and more.

"Heart disease and stroke have been a prevalent factor in my family's medical history. Far too many of relatives have been adversely affected by heart disease and/or stroke," Treeline Recordings owner Ryan Montemurro explained in a statement. "I wanted to do something new to raise money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation and to tie in my passion for music, particularly with Canadian bands, and for vinyl. From that, the idea of Treeline Recordings and Taking It to Heart was born. The response from bands I reached out to has been more than I could ever hope for and Volume Two of the compilation is already in the works."

Taking It to Heart, Volume One arrives both digitally and on vinyl September 30, with pre-orders for the limited physical edition available here. A second volume is expected to see release in 2017, but until then, take in the first right here.

In addition to the comp, there will also be a benefit concert featuring SAVK, Astral Swans, Melted Mirror and Micah Visser. It will take place on October 7 at Calgary's Broken City, and you can get tickets here.

Latest Coverage