Indie rockers unite for AIDS benefit album
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE51D0LL20090214
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In 1993, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, the Smashing Pumpkins and Pavement brought AIDS activism into the bedrooms of grunge-obsessed teens on the benefit album "No Alternative," marrying music to message in a way that registered strongly with Generation X.
The project, organized by the Red Hot Organization -- an international production company dedicated to fighting AIDs through pop culture -- and released by Arista Records, sold 292,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and generated several modern rock radio hits. But the success was a mixed blessing; other major labels went out of their way to discourage radio airplay, because they thought it would compete with their own promotions for the contributing artists. (Geffen famously refused to allow Red Hot to use Nirvana's name on the packaging.)
Red Hot isn't dealing with any of those problems as it prepares for the February 17 release of "Dark Was the Night," a sort of indie rock sequel to "No Alternative" curated by the National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner. To be issued by 4AD, the 32-song collection showcases the leading lights of the genre, including Spoon, Arcade Fire, Cat Power, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, Yo La Tengo, the New Pornographers and the National itself. Proceeds will benefit as-yet-undetermined AIDS organizations.
The project, organized by the Red Hot Organization -- an international production company dedicated to fighting AIDs through pop culture -- and released by Arista Records, sold 292,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and generated several modern rock radio hits. But the success was a mixed blessing; other major labels went out of their way to discourage radio airplay, because they thought it would compete with their own promotions for the contributing artists. (Geffen famously refused to allow Red Hot to use Nirvana's name on the packaging.)
Red Hot isn't dealing with any of those problems as it prepares for the February 17 release of "Dark Was the Night," a sort of indie rock sequel to "No Alternative" curated by the National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner. To be issued by 4AD, the 32-song collection showcases the leading lights of the genre, including Spoon, Arcade Fire, Cat Power, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, Yo La Tengo, the New Pornographers and the National itself. Proceeds will benefit as-yet-undetermined AIDS organizations.
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