With the imminent approach of the holiday season (I am afraid to leave my house knowing that “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is being blasted in every public location), it’s paramount to remember the giving spirit that this time of year is meant to instill in us.
Since none of us (well, hopefully) have been to a show since March at the latest, it’s easy to forget the hard work that bookers put in to make sure we as concert-goers got the sickest lineups possible at any given gig. Sludge Music (SLDG MUSC) was one such organization. But with gigs off the table for now, local music scenes are changing; artists, organizations, and individuals find themselves in an odd position where they need to find creative ways to keep doing similar things as they were pre-COVID. So SLDG went ahead and organized a compilation of local artists, the proceeds of which would be redirected to charitable causes.
It’s called “Eclectic Change,” and just maybe that’s a title that will resonate with a lot of folks out there who feel like their lives – the very way they do basic everyday tasks – has changed dramatically. Featuring an all-star ensemble that includes Anjimile, Camp Blood, LAVAGXRL, Dirt Buyer, Pink Navel, Raavi & The Houseplants, Red Shaydez, Carol, Sidney Gish, and a slew of others, the 32-track compilation lives up to its title of “eclectic.” Many of the tracks are demos, so you have the chance to hear them in their rawest form. Camp Blood’s remix of VAGUE AS FUCK’s “Died in the Glitch” is a special favorite, but there’s a little bit here for everyone. It offers a unique lens at the seemingly-endless stream of genres that local musicians are dabbling in.
Proceeds for this stacked comp will go to Trans Trenderz, a Black trans-run, mission focused label; and National Bail Out, a Black-led, Black centered collective focused on aiding the incarcerated and prison abolition.
Buy Eclectic Change on Bandcamp.