The Odditorium, the Dandy Warhols’ famed studio in their hometown of Portland, OR, is more than simply one band’s space. It’s also home to their friends, the touring and local bands looking for a place to play, to record. The band has always striven to build and promote a community for musicians, and in 2007, they took a very purposeful step in making this a definitive part of their ethos. The Dandys began inviting other bands to participate in a collective project, the artists coming in on their own time to record new ideas over tracks others had already laid down, together creating what becomes a nearly living musical entity.
Called Breathe Easy, the project calls on the talents of artists like the Raveonettes, the Black Angels, J Mascis, Saul Williams, Spoon’s Britt Daniel, Midnight Movies, and of course the Dandy Warhols, to bring their separate musical perceptions and abilities to finished product. Genre becomes loosely articulated; what unites the pieces is the emotion, the spontaneity that comes from collaboration and inspiration. It’s music that conveys both the individual contribution and the integrity of the whole.
Beginning October 21, 2008, the first of 12 tracks will be sold digitally at specified Breathe Easy sites and embedded stores, and 100% of profits will go to the Three Rivers Land Conservancy.
The Three Rivers Land Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to conserve and preserve land by the Clackamas, Tualatin, and lower Willamette Rivers against urbanization. The Dandy Warhols and the Three Rivers Land Conservancy believe that conserving land and protecting against errant urbanization creates stronger healthier communities now and for future generations.
Through consumer purchases, and corporate contributions the initial goal is to save 10,000 acres of Oregon’s natural habitat.
http://www.trlc.org/
http://www.myspace.com/breatheeasybenefit
http://worlds-fair.net/news/2008/10/01/the-dandy-warhols-announce-new-collaborative-project-breathe-easy
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
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