Music News Net

PATTERSON HOOD to Fight Downtown Athens, GA Walmart

MUSIC NEWS - Some of the greatest songs were written to give voice to anxiety, despair and unwanted change. “After it’s Gone”, a new single just released by Patterson Hood and the Downtown 13, was inspired by the threat of a Walmart in the heart of downtown Athens, GA.  The city that nurtured the band’s career. Hood, singer, writer and guitarist for the band Drive-By Truckers assembled The Downtown 13, a musical collective made up of some of Athens, GA's finest musicians to celebrate Athens, GA's beauty and vibrant musical heritage and to protest a developer's proposed building of a massive mixed use development in downtown Athens, anchored by a 94,000 sq. foot Walmart.

The small and eclectic university town of Athens is a hotbed for national musical acts and many of these local luminaries, including R.E.M.’s Mike Mills and Widespread Panic’s John Bell and Todd Nance.  They all came together on the new track to express their opposition to a proposed development by Atlanta-based Selig Enterprises. The back wall of the anchor tenant, Walmart, would be within stone’s throw of Hood’s home and it would tower over the greenway trail along the Oconee River, and is the very embodiment of inappropriate development.

MY MORNING JACKET To Headline Benefit for Alabama Tornado Victims

MUSIC NEWS-  The United Way of West Alabama have announced that My Morning Jacket, Neko Case and Phosphorescent will healine a benefit concert to help bring relief to the recent tornado victims in Tuscaloosa, AL.   The indie rockers will play the fundraiser at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Friday, August 19, to benefit United Way of West Alabama.

As you recall, in late April, a record breaking 53 tornadoes ripped through Alabama, with 7,000 homes destroyed and 41 people killed.  The destruction hit home for Phosphorescent, as one of the band members recently wrote:

NEVER SHOUT NEVER Help Raise Funds for Joplin, MO

MUSIC NEWS -  Never Shout Never and Christofer Drew call Joplin, Missouri home.  Singer/songwriter Drew grew up and currently live in Joplin.  Fortunately for them, Drew and his family were not harmed by the devastating tornados, many of his friends and band members were greatly affected.

 

"Joplin is my home. It is the place where I find comfort and rest. The tornado that hit our community was not only devastating to the city's prosperity, but also the lives of the victims. My greatest hope is that after the cameras leave, we will not be forgotten.  I love this city and plan to stand by its side until it is completely restored and livable.  We are all encouraged by the help we've received.  Thank you everyone." said Drew.

 

FREELANCE WHALES Support National Melanoma Awareness Campaign

MUSIC NEWS - Brooklyn indie pop outfit, The Freelance Whales has offered up their great single as part of a new charity video released by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund for the National Melanoma Awareness month.

The video, “Dear 16-Year-Old-Me” features real people speaking to their younger selves about protecting against skin cancer. The band gave “1st Floor Generator” to the creator of the video as band frontman Judah Dadone told Spinner, the subject hit close to home.

Life is good Festival Announced for 2011

MUSIC NEWS - This year, on September 24-25, The Life is good Festival returns to Prowse Farm in Canton, MA, Boston suburb, at the base of the Blue Hills. The festival is hosted by Life is good, a Boston-based company that spreads the power of optimism through its colorful collection of apparel and accessories and through its social mission to help kids overcome life-threatening challenges. 

Once again, the two-day fundraising music festival aims to raise $1 million to benefit the Life is good Playmakers, the action arm of The Life is good Kids Foundation. Like last year, it will feature two days of nationally known musical talent on three stages, including several of today's most popular children's performers. The artist line-up will be announced in June.

Songs for Japan Charity Album Released; U2, Elton John, Springsteen and Others

MUSIC NEWS - U2, Bob Dylan, R.E.M. and Bruce Springsteen are some of the performers on the new digitally released charity album,  Songs For Japan, to help the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which is available now on iTunes for $9.99.  John Lennon’s remastered “Imagine” and U2’s “Walk On” appear along with Dylan’s “Shelter From The Storm”.  Country, pop and rap genres are there too with tunes from Eminem, Elton John, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, and The Black Eyed Peas.  Full song list is below.

BILLY BRAGG Cancels Upcoming USA Tour

MUSIC NEWS - Doubly sad news from BILLY BRAGG.  The talented UK singer / songwriter and activist has cancelled his upcoming brief USA concert tour due to a family emergency.  He had eight concerts booked started on  March 24 (thru April 2) that we hope will be re-scheduled soon.  What makes is worse is the reason, the singer's mum is very ill. He's made the right choice to be with her.

X Japan's YOSHIKI To Auction Piano For Japan Relief Charity

MUSIC NEWS - Yoshiki, the leader of Japanese rock band X Japan will place his favorite "crystal" piano (picured at right) on the auction block, and donate all proceeds to help provide aid to the victims of Japan's earthquake and tsumani.  The custom-made, plexi-glass "Yoshiki Signature Piano by Kawai" with Yoshiki's name engraved on it, was used when the band played their legendary shows at the Tokyo Dome.

The Japanese-born Yoshiki, who now lives in Los Angeles, felt the earthquake tremors while in a Tokyo recording studio working on X Japan's first North American album, and was shocked by the large-scale damage across Japan.  "It took awhile to locate my mother, but she is, thankfully, OK," said Yoshiki, "and I've spoken with [band members] Toshi, Pata, Sugizo and Heath, and they are all safe as well.  I am praying for the people here who are still trying to locate their family and friends."

Apparel Company, Patagonia, Enters Music Biz

MUSIC NEWS - Apparel compnay, Patagonia Inc, has announced that they've entered the music biz and formed the Patagonia Music Collective.  It launches in the USA today, March 1, 2011 (Japan, the UK, Canada, and elsewhere in June). The exclusive tracks will be sold at $.99 each, with net proceeds going directly to the environmental organizations of the artists' preference.

Musicians signed on so far include; Phillip Glass, Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, Bonnie Raitt and Jon Cleary, Maroon 5, Zac Brown Band, moe., The Bad Plus, Blitzen Trapper, Mason Jennings, John Scofield, Piers Faccini, Switchfoot, Brett Dennen, Sun Kil Moon, Umphrey's McGee, Ben Solee, RaRa Riot, Spoek Mathambo, Taj Mahal, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Drive By Truckers, Bobby Long, String Cheese Incident, Ki: Theory, Moondoggies, Vusi Mahlesela, Disco Biscuits, O.A.R., Ziggy Marley, Los Lobos, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Brandi Carlile, Laura Jansen, Medeski Martin & Wood, Robert Randolph and the Family Band among others.

 

Tibet House US Benefit Concert Adds Taj Mahal and The Flaming Lips

MUSIC NEWS - Tibet House US has announced that The Flaming Lips and Taj Mahal have joined the line up for their 21st Annual Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall in NYC on March 3, 2011. The Flaming Lips and Taj Mahal will join an esteemed line-up of performers curated by artistic director Philip Glass. The bill, so far, includes Michael Stipe, The Roots, Patti Smith with Jesse Smith and Michael Campbell, Angelique Kidjo and James McCartney. 

For twenty one years, this consistently sold-out concert has assembled some of the biggest names in music to offer a mix of unprecedented musical collaborations and solo work.  Past benefit concerts have included talent such as Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Paul Simon, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Sigur Ros, Bright Eyes, R.E.M., The National, Natalie Merchant, Regina Spektor, Rufus Wainwright, Vampire Weekend, Emmylou Harris, Ray Davies and Damien Rice, among many others.

PETER GABRIEL Joins Sudanese War Child's Campaign

MUSIC NEWS - After producing the string arrangements on ex-Sudanese war child Emmanuel Jal's We Want Peace charity single (link below), music icon Peter Gabriel has joined a the growing list of performers and celebrities to raise awareness and ensure the Sudanese referendum on Sunday January 9, 2010 remains a peaceful affair.

"I have been horrified at the reports of the potential for civil war in the Sudan after the election," says Gabriel. "Emmanuel Jal is an inspiring and charismatic young musician and, considering most of the fighting in these wars is actually carried out by young people, I believe Emmanuel's impassioned campaign for peace will be much more likely to reach them."

Campaign To Get Lennon Classic, "War is Over (Give Peace a Chance)" To the Top of Music Charts

MUSIC NEWS - A move afoot to put the John Lennon classic tune, "War is Over (Give Peace a Chance)" at the top of the music charts worldwide this holiday season.  A south Belfast art director, Marc Savage, is the force behind the campaign and has even received Yoko Ono’s blessing.

He recently explained to the Irish newspaper, the Community Telegraph why making John Lennon’s ‘War is over (give Peace a chance)’ hit a number one this Christmas is important.   Marc said: “With the world in such a war-torn state, there has perhaps never been a better time to remember this song, and in doing so, we have the opportunity to celebrate the genius of Lennon and remember that he was a true songwriter and musician who would be horrified at the music-industry as it stands today." 

Buy PAUL WELLER's Mini Cooper (for Charity)

MUSIC NEWS - A limited edition MINI Cooper that's been personalized by English rocker, Paul Weller (Style Council / The Jam) is being auctioned off for two charity organizations.   Weller (out with his recent Wake Up the Nation album) designed the car based on a shirt he designed for English fashion label Ben Sherman and features brown and pink stripes along the length of the British car.  In addition to Weller's exterior design, the car has $6500.00 of extras including alloy wheels and bi-xenon headlights, bringing the total value of the car up to $29,000.00.

Proceeds from the car's sale will go to Nordoff Robbins,  a charity that helps people with disabilities revitalixe their life through music, and War Child, a charity that helps children whose homes have been ravaged by war.  So far, the auction has 23 bids, but don't wait too long as you only have to December 11, 2010 !

PETER GABRIEL Hosts 6th Annual "Focus of Change" Benefit

MUSIC NEWS - Musician and human rights activist Peter Gabriel will host the 6th Annual Focus for Change benefit dinner and concert for WITNESS, the international human rights organization.  The special event will be on Thursday, December 2, 2010 in NYC, NY at the legendary Roseland Ballroom.  

The event will includes performances by Grammy Award-winner Sheryl Crow and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff (no word on Gabriel).  Also on tap, Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, will be a keynote speaker who will highlight the power of online spaces to inform people about on-the-ground abuses and mobilize them to take action. 

GASOLINE RAINBOWS Releasing to Help Gulf of Mexico Communities

MUSIC NEWS- In an effort to help communities impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, some of today's hottest bands have joined together with Global Green USA to release a benefit compilation album entitled Gasoline Rainbows, out on November 30, 2010 via Roark Records exclusively as a digital download.

The compilation was brought together by actress Sophia Bush and actor Austin Nichols, likely best known for their roles on the television show One Tree Hill. Sophia and Austin travelled, with Global Green, to Grand Isle, LA, visiting beaches and seeing the devastation wrought by the Deepwater Horizon spill first hand. Moved by the stretches of oil along the once-beautiful beaches, as well as the devastation to the wildlife, they decided to help in whatever way they could, and this compilation is the direct result.