An incredibly busy week packed with terrible news, great records and movie frenzy. But it was the tragic earthquake in Haiti, shocking the world and getting the headlines, what has served as a catalyst for the creative community as a whole. Artists big and small, from all corners of the music and entertainment spectrum, got involved in all sorts of activities to raise money and help in the relief of the catastrophe’s devastating effects. From Arcade Fire asking their fans to donate and international governments to cancel the country’s debt to Radiohead playing a special fundraising show or Will.I.Am remixing The Who’s “My Generation” with Slash. Here’s a few other notable initiatives:
–George Clooney and Wyclef Jean organized the “Hope for Haiti” telethon, broadcasted last Friday in the States. The songs performed in the show by the likes of Bono & Jay-Z; Beyoncé & Chris Martin; Justin Timberlake; etc. were compiled in an album that’s likely to hit the US number one next week. Kanye West, feared to repeat his controversial behavior during the former Katrina relief telethon was not invited to perform, which has caused outrage among his fans.
-Paste Magazine compiled a bundle of over 200 artists tracks, all available to download in exchange for a donation. You can get it here.
-Proceeds of the National curated and Rober Award nominated “Dark Was the night” compilation have been diverted to Haiti.
-Both Simon Cowell and Quincy Jones are giving the finishing touches to their respective recordings for the cause. The reality TV mogul is rumoured to be movilizing his roaster of talent show winners on a benefit record; whereas the legendary producer is teaming up with Lionel Richie and a yet to be announced cast of stars for a new version of “We Are The World”.
–Wilco have made two full concerts available in their website for fans to download in exchange for their donations.
Haití is likely to be in serious need for the foreseeable. If you haven’t done that yet, please consider to give your support!
Although out shadowed by the magnitude of Haiti’s tragedy, the rest of last weeks news were no short of surprises, both negative –The death of folk legend Kate McGarrigle added to the ones of Vic Chesnutt, Lhasa and Jay Reatard in a beginning of the year plagued with sad losses for the music fan- and more positive –Britpop iconic group Suede announced a one-off charity reunion gig, with all original members except Bernard Butler involved.
Apple was heavily rumoured to be on the verge to launch a free streaming service, the name icloud was dropped. After the enormous success of Spotify, industry insiders think Apple may think that’s the way forward. A step that, if confirmed, will undoubledly reshape the way the record industry works. To catch up with all the recent changes in the way music is delivered and promoted an interesting ebook, New Music Strategies, was also launched this week.
But our hero of the week has been veteran leftie song-writer, activist and all-round nice guy Billy Bragg, who has launched a protest campaign in Facebook prompting people to refuse paying income tax until the taxpayer bailed out banks curb their bonuses. An excellent initiative in times when ordinary people felt abused and powerless over the big financial monsters that have caused the recession we are currently experienced and seem also to be the only beneficiaries of its aftermath.
Joanna Newson kept on giving more hints about the contents of her eagerly awaited third album, “Have One on me”; she played a bunch of new tracks during her current Australian tour. Erykah Badu and The New Pornographers –who return with a star-studded new album in which Zach Condon; St. Vincent; The Dap Kings and Will Sheff have collaborated with the “supergroup” usual line-up- also gave details of their imminent new works.
Noah Lennox aka Panda Bear previewed live some new songs live too, likely to be part of his follow-up to the Rober Award winner “Persons Pitch”