2008 Woodie Awards
Sound Check
Richa Agarwal
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Arts & Features
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In times of crisis, we turn to music. But musicians provide more than comforting words and harmonies to soothe our souls, or angsty passion-infused tales of heartbreak. It seems they always rise to the occasion to provide more tangible aid to those in need. In light of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, benefit shows and albums are attempting to support the cause.
With benefit compilations including esteemed musicians such as Tom Waits, indie-rockers the Album Leaf, indie-rockers gone major Death Cab, the Beck we all know and love, psychedelic-rockers Of Montreal and Icelandic heroes Sigur Ros; efforts to raise money for the Gulf Coast are targeting a large population. This particular compilation will be sold at Urban Outfitters across the country in mid-October, with the hopes of raising $150,000.
Though the album contains rarities and unreleased tracks, entering a UO store may be the last thing an indie-rocker is willing to do (since indie-rock is clearly the antithesis of all things hip and trendy). For those who find themselves in this dilemma - the epic battle between being a hipster and not being called a hipster when it has actually become hip to be - the folks at Saddle Creek will come to the rescue!
Saddle Creek records will release Lagniappe on October 25, donating all profits to the Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts. It includes previously unreleased tracks, B-sides, demos and other such goodies by Creek artists such as the Faint, Bright Eyes and the Good Life.
Benefit concerts are also planned for October - with Sufjan Stevens performing an acoustic set on October 3 in NYC and proceeds going to the Salavation Army. For those who will be in Chicago on October 5 with a lot of money, you can see Pearl Jam and Robert Plant for $1,000. Recent benefits have included artists such as Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel/ the Postal Service), They Might be Giants, Ted Leo, Joseph Arthur and Yo La Tengo.
Unfortunately, sometimes bureaucracies get in the way of these efforts. For example, volunteers from non-profit organizations such as Prometheus Radio Project, Katrina Aftermath Media Project (KAMP) and Houston Indymedia worked to build a low power radio station for evacuees at the Astrodome; but they faced many obstacles in doing so, despite securing FCC licenses and other requirements.
KAMP 95.3 FM finally went on air on September 13, bringing information to the confused, chaotic masses taking shelter in the Astrodome. In fact, the most important function of the media is their ability to communicate information - especially in disorderly times when victims are not only without food but simply withou vital information about their friends and family, current events, the possibility of future aid and relocation possibilities.
With benefit compilations including esteemed musicians such as Tom Waits, indie-rockers the Album Leaf, indie-rockers gone major Death Cab, the Beck we all know and love, psychedelic-rockers Of Montreal and Icelandic heroes Sigur Ros; efforts to raise money for the Gulf Coast are targeting a large population. This particular compilation will be sold at Urban Outfitters across the country in mid-October, with the hopes of raising $150,000.
Though the album contains rarities and unreleased tracks, entering a UO store may be the last thing an indie-rocker is willing to do (since indie-rock is clearly the antithesis of all things hip and trendy). For those who find themselves in this dilemma - the epic battle between being a hipster and not being called a hipster when it has actually become hip to be - the folks at Saddle Creek will come to the rescue!
Saddle Creek records will release Lagniappe on October 25, donating all profits to the Red Cross for hurricane relief efforts. It includes previously unreleased tracks, B-sides, demos and other such goodies by Creek artists such as the Faint, Bright Eyes and the Good Life.
Benefit concerts are also planned for October - with Sufjan Stevens performing an acoustic set on October 3 in NYC and proceeds going to the Salavation Army. For those who will be in Chicago on October 5 with a lot of money, you can see Pearl Jam and Robert Plant for $1,000. Recent benefits have included artists such as Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel/ the Postal Service), They Might be Giants, Ted Leo, Joseph Arthur and Yo La Tengo.
Unfortunately, sometimes bureaucracies get in the way of these efforts. For example, volunteers from non-profit organizations such as Prometheus Radio Project, Katrina Aftermath Media Project (KAMP) and Houston Indymedia worked to build a low power radio station for evacuees at the Astrodome; but they faced many obstacles in doing so, despite securing FCC licenses and other requirements.
KAMP 95.3 FM finally went on air on September 13, bringing information to the confused, chaotic masses taking shelter in the Astrodome. In fact, the most important function of the media is their ability to communicate information - especially in disorderly times when victims are not only without food but simply withou vital information about their friends and family, current events, the possibility of future aid and relocation possibilities.