Music News

This is a magic moment in time, when technology, coupled with generosity, talent, and ingenuity has created a unique opportunity to do something positive through the power of music.


Rare records up for auction to raise money for Haiti relief

Since the news of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti spread last week, the music community has responded in kind, focusing on attempts to raise money for Haiti relief. Last week, Blink-182 announced a special shirt with all proceeds going toward the Red Cross, but since then, a number of labels have put up rare records for auction to help raise funds.

Mightier Than Sword Records is auctioning off vinyl test pressings of recent releases by Blink-182 and Last Lights; sister label Academy Fight Song has also posted Copeland, Person L and Kevin test pressings for auction. 100 percent of the proceeds from the MTS/AFS eBay auctions will be donated to the Red Cross.

Paper + Plastick Records, in conjunction with Punknews.org, have posted a number of auctions on LimitedPressing.com with all proceeds going toward Doctors Without Borders. Among the items up for bid are vinyl test pressings from Fall Out Boy, Less Than Jake, Hot Water Music, New Found Glory, Thursday, Panic! At The Disco and more.

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Mogwai auctioning off piano to help Haiti earthquake victims

The Kawai MP8 was used during the bands 2006-2007 world tour

Mogwai are auctioning off a piano to raise money for the Haiti earthquake victims. The Kawai MP8 Mark I piano was used by Barry Burns during the band's 2006-2007 world tour.

Also included in the auction are a series of signed vinyl records, including a test pressing of the upcoming 'Special Moves' album, plus five screen printed live posters and a copy of their live film 'Burning'.

All the money raised from the sale will be split between the charities Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders. For more information, visit eBay.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Coldplay's Chris Martin and Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis are urging people to donate money to Oxfam to help those affected by the earthquake.

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U2's Bono and Jay-Z record Haiti earthquake song Singer and rapper combine for new material

U2 frontman Bono and Jay-Z, along with producer Swizz Beatz, have written and recorded a new song to benefit the victims of the recent Haiti earthquake.

Bono's bandmate, guitarist The Edge, revealed details of the collaboration on Irish radio station RTE 2FM.

Details of the song's release, title or live debut have not been revealed.

The Edge said that the trio explained: "Bono got a call from a producer, Swizz. He and Jay-Z wanted to do something for Haiti. So Bono came up with the phrase on the phone and last night we were here, we wrote a song, finished, recorded, and sent it back to them. So, that might be the next thing you hear from us."

Bono is set to be part of the 'Hope For Haiti' telethon, organised by actor George Clooney and set to take place in various locations on Friday (January 22).

The telethon will be broadcast in the UK from 1am (GMT) on Saturday morning.

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Springsteen, Sting, Bono, the Edge and Wonder to Perform For Hope For Haiti Now

Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief, the George Clooney produced special scheduled for this Friday from 8 to 10 PM ET, has announced a long list of presenters and performers. Overall, the program will feature over one hundred of the biggest names in film, television and recording in on-air testimonials and behind-the-scenes answering pledge calls.

Wyclef Jean will be hosting the proceedings in New York City with performances by Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting. George Clooney will lead from Los Angeles with performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow. In addition, Anderson Cooper from CNN will be reporting live from Haiti while a a London feed will provide Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna.

Pledges will be solicited throughout the special program and all performances will be made available on Saturday through iTunes with all proceeds benefiting the Haiti relief funds.

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SLASH, LINKIN PARK Donate Never-Before-Released Music To Aid Haiti

Some of the biggest names in music have joined forces for Download To Donate For Haiti, a star-studded recovery effort to aid the devastated nation of Haiti following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince on January 12.

Working with Music For Relief, a non-profit founded by LINKIN PARK following the 2004 Asian tsunamis, Alanis Morissette, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, Enrique Iglesias, HOOBASTANK, Kenna (track co-produced by LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda and THE NEPTUNES' Chad Hugo), LINKIN PARK, Lupe Fiasco/Kenna (collaboration produced by Mike Shinoda), Peter Gabriel and Slash have all graciously donated never-before-released music to help raise funds and promote awareness of the recovery efforts. Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One created the project's artwork.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti," said LINKIN PARK vocalist Chester Bennington. "We pray that this initiative provides some relief and support to the survivors and hope we inspire our fans, friends and families to make donations as well."

Download To Donate For Haiti provides fans with the opportunity to download a collection of exclusive songs by their favorite artists and then donate funds on a purely voluntary basis. Each download is a donation. Fans can download the unreleased songs at MusicForRelief.org and via the web sites of each participating artist.

"We're encouraging people to give what they can," says guitar legend Slash. "There's no right or wrong amount. The people of Haiti are in desperate need of food, fresh water, shelter and medical supplies and every little bit helps."

100% of funds received will go directly to the Haiti efforts. In partnership with the UN Foundation's Central Emergency Response Fund, Habitat for Humanity, and Dave Matthews BAMA Works Haitian relief efforts, Music for Relief is working to support immediate relief with food, water and emergency medical supplies as well as long-term sustainable housing solutions for the people affected by this catastrophic natural disaster.