The music community at large has always been one to come together in times of hardship and need. Over the dozen or so years of editing this blog, I have certainly seen that to be true of the spaces I follow. And though the empathy and generosity that represents should never be taken for granted, it should come as no surprise that we are beginning to see numerous songs and compilations being released to help support those affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles, California.
One of these projects may be of particular interest to anyone who follows the kinds of music covered here. For LA Vol.1 and Vol.2 comprise no less than 65 tracks of previously unreleased music from a long list of ambient, electronic, and modern classical artists. The team behind the project is Hollie Kennith, who curated the music, and Keith Kennith (Goldmund, Helios) who mastered most of the tracks. All proceeds from these releases, less a small administrative cost, will support We Are Moving the Needle and Give Directly which are frontline organizations dedicated to relief and recovery for families affected by the fires.
From a listener’s perspective, these albums remind me of the great compilation records that first sparked my interest in these styles of music years ago and became early lexicons of discovery. Whether you are a long-time follower of introspective and experimental instrumental music or just embarking on your own journey of discovery, these albums have a lot to offer while offering a modicum of much needed help to a devastated community. See below for more information, links, and preview selections.
https://heliosmusic.bandcamp.com/album/for-la-vol-1
The first volume in the series offers 34 tracks of previously unreleased music by a breadth of artists across the spectrum of ambient, electronic, and neo/post classical music from exciting new arrivals on the scene as well as some long-time favorites including a few we’ve not heard from in a bit. Keith and Hollie each contribute tracks from their solo projects as well as a collaboration. There is lots to dig into and discover here for a very modest contribution toward the cause.
https://heliosmusic.bandcamp.com/album/for-la-vol-2
Among the highlights of Vol.2 are a pair of previously unreleased recordings that bookend the volume by Ryuichi Sakamoto each of which have connections to Los Angeles – a solo piano piece performed at a show celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Ace Hotel DTLA to open the album and a field recording taken by the artist in October of 2015 in LA. The release also includes a collaboration between Sakamoto and Keith Kenniff as Goldmund and a once again stellar array of contributing artists which include both much beloved and well-established artists as well as some wonderful new voices arriving on the scene some of whom are featured in the selected preview tracks below.
For LA Vol.1 and Vol.2 are available for download & streaming on Keith and Hollie Kenniff’s Bandcamp page (links above). All proceeds—minus a 5% administrative fee—will go to LA fire relief efforts through the organizations mentioned above. In the next few weeks, a third volume is anticipated with the whole set to be released through the Nettwerk Music Group.
