Sonic Youth have released a new album, Live in Kyiv, Ukraine 1989, to benefit Ukraine relief efforts amid the Russian invasion.
Uploaded to their Bandcamp today, the nine-song collection was recorded on April 14, 1989, at the band's first show in Kyiv. As per the album's description:
Riding on the wave of the critical success of Daydream Nation, Sonic Youth's first foray into the former USSR came in April of 1989 with shows in Vilnius, Leningrad, Moscow and Kyiv, the first opportunity for Lithuanians, Russians and Ukrainians respectively to get a realtime gander at the fabled NYC underground in the flesh (with Bon Jovi lagging four months behind to rep NJ for the hordes).
Anarchic, locked and loaded with fresh jams from Daydream and vintage chestnut "Brother James," SY blister here into a rabid pack of ready-for-action Ukrainians, only blessed previously with the likes of Nick Cave and Neubauten drifting into their territory. Though the post-Iron Curtain sojourn was cut short prematurely (like this recording!) after this gig, the Sonics left an indelible impression of the true sounds of freedom with attendees that included Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hutz, who was forever changed in its wake.
This revisiting of the April 14 set honours that nation's spirit and proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen, and timestamps a moment where new ears got transported for a first time.
"That SY Kyiv show was life changing for all musicians that were there… we were already attuned to Nick Cave, Einsturzende Neubauten, S Pistols and Discharge, but these were the new vitamins we needed," the quote from Hutz reads. "I made a decision to experience NY right there."
You can stream the album below and purchase a digital copy for a minimum of $10.00 USD, with proceeds going towards World Central Kitchen — an organization (founded by Chef José Andrés) that's "first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions."
In 2021, the long-disbanded outfit also shared two live albums to support abortion rights in Texas ahead of releasing rarities comp In/Out/In last month.
Uploaded to their Bandcamp today, the nine-song collection was recorded on April 14, 1989, at the band's first show in Kyiv. As per the album's description:
Riding on the wave of the critical success of Daydream Nation, Sonic Youth's first foray into the former USSR came in April of 1989 with shows in Vilnius, Leningrad, Moscow and Kyiv, the first opportunity for Lithuanians, Russians and Ukrainians respectively to get a realtime gander at the fabled NYC underground in the flesh (with Bon Jovi lagging four months behind to rep NJ for the hordes).
Anarchic, locked and loaded with fresh jams from Daydream and vintage chestnut "Brother James," SY blister here into a rabid pack of ready-for-action Ukrainians, only blessed previously with the likes of Nick Cave and Neubauten drifting into their territory. Though the post-Iron Curtain sojourn was cut short prematurely (like this recording!) after this gig, the Sonics left an indelible impression of the true sounds of freedom with attendees that included Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hutz, who was forever changed in its wake.
This revisiting of the April 14 set honours that nation's spirit and proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen, and timestamps a moment where new ears got transported for a first time.
"That SY Kyiv show was life changing for all musicians that were there… we were already attuned to Nick Cave, Einsturzende Neubauten, S Pistols and Discharge, but these were the new vitamins we needed," the quote from Hutz reads. "I made a decision to experience NY right there."
You can stream the album below and purchase a digital copy for a minimum of $10.00 USD, with proceeds going towards World Central Kitchen — an organization (founded by Chef José Andrés) that's "first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions."
In 2021, the long-disbanded outfit also shared two live albums to support abortion rights in Texas ahead of releasing rarities comp In/Out/In last month.
