Musicians Raise Money for Japan Relief

The earthquake and its catastrophic consequences that hit Japan ten days ago have also touched the music industry. Numerous artists are rapidly engaging themselves to support recovery efforts. Pitchfork has compiled a list of noteworthy initiatives from recording artists that aim to raise money for Japan relief. See and listen below.

- Sonic Youth is currently running an Ebay-auction of a pair of vintage posters, as well as a pair of band-branded Vans from their Dirty. All funds raised will benefit , with ShelterboxUSA.org, which provides shelter and needs to Japan’s displaced homeless population. In addition, the band takes part in the Concert to Benefit Japan Earthquake Relief, which goes down March 27 at the Miller Theatre at Columbia University in New York. The show will boast appearances by Mike Patton, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, Cibo Matto with Mephista, Marc Ribot, Uri Caine, and Aleph Trio; all proceeds from the sold-out event will go directly to Japan.

- Yo La Tengo have announced a benefit concert of their own on Wednesday, March 23, at Hoboken, New Jersey’s Maxwell’s venue, with all proceeds going to benefit Peace Winds Japan.

- Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, John Zorn, Ryuichi Sakamoto and more will perform at the Concert for Japan, taking place April 9 and New York City’s Japan Society.

- RZA posted a new track on Soundcloud, Gab-Gotcha’s “Japan”, for free download in support of Japan.

- Frightened Rabbit’s Scott Hutchison will headline the Red Cross Fundraiser for Japan at Glasgow venue Stereo on March 30.

- Japanese indie-pop artist Shugo Tokumaru is selling a new track, “Open a Bottle”, at Bandcamp to support Japan.

- Warp Records is selling a t-shirt that will go towards supporting the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal; the shirt will be on sale until April 4.

- Shoegazers Serena-Maneesh just released a remix of Lindstrøm & Christabelle’s “High & Low” on iTunes; all proceeds go to supporting the Japanese Red Cross.

- Experimental hip-hop/rock outfit WHY? are auctioning off a whole bunch of rare LPs from WHY?, as well as affiliated projects cLOUDDEAD and Hymie’s Basement, over at band member Josiah Wolf’s eBay; all proceeds from the auction will go to supporting Hands on Tokyo.

- Ponytail guitarist Dustin Wong will be taking part in tonight’s benefit concert Help Japan from Brooklyn: A Benefit Through Film/Music, which is taking place at Brooklyn Winery and will be in support of the Lions Club Japan Earthquake Fund.

- If you purchase music through the dance-focused online store Beatport today, the company will donate 100% of its profits to Japan.

- Turbo Records will be donating all proceeds for subscriptions to the label’s catalog sold until May 1 to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

- Artists on the electronic labels Ninja Tune and All City, as well as Hyperdub head Kode9, are among some of the many contributors featured on the Nihon Kizuna compilation, which is available now for purchase on Bandcamp and iTunes Japan. The proceeds will go towards supporting the Japan Red Cross.