The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace. (Mahatma Gandhi)
SELECTION OF FUNDRAISERS FOR UKRAINE
Maybe a preamble first…
We are music. We are neither geopolitical analysts nor experts in international strategic relations. We are underground techno. We are part of the alternative culture, whose main goal is to chill, using our drones to eventually escape from the harsh reality. We are not legitimate to comment on post-Cold war, but we defend our motto: “Peace, Love and Unity”. We battle for peace with musical weapons because, to paraphrase Vincent Van Gogh, art has the power “to bring peace even in the storm”. We are a community: we have a deep caring thought for both the Ukrainian and the Russian artists who, like us, deplore the war, are seeking peace, and whose freedom blemishes under pressure and fear. We are with you at our humble level, in thoughts, prayers and acts. We are a giant family, a love story told in the following releases:
Deep Fundraisers – Ukraine [2022-04-12]
FUNDS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WITH CANCER
Think of a small island and a DJ/producer doing everything he can to rise the local techno scene: this is warm-hearted Alex Tomb, fighting like a lion on the island of Cyprus, organising events, festivals, radio shows and regularly hosting our hypnotic techno artists. As if it wasn’t enough, he discreetly mobilised his network to release “Ukraine”, for the children that experience both war and cancer in the country. Fabulous artists dived into the project with lots of care, including Ness, F-on, Vedis, Neel and many more.
Futurepast and Friends present “Stand With Ukraine Fundraiser” [2022-06-03]
FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOST THEIR PARENTS IN THE WAR
With its funky sci-fi electronica, the label’s releases usually pass under our radars for being too distant from our sound. However, some tracks of the present compilation deliver an intriguing deepness and experimental touch never heard in the previous releases, with the potential to bring some originality to DJ mixes. Not all the tracks match our taste, but some are really interesting. It’s however not what matters: the charity cause is particularly well-chosen.
Murder – “Against All Evils” [2022-03-07]
FUNDS TO ORGANISE THE DISTRIBUTION OF HUMANITARIAN RESOURCES
A label called “Murder” doesn’t really inspire “love”, but do not be fooled by appearances: behind the expected label’s sound signature, tainted with industrial techno and dark arpeggiated breakbeat, is a bunch of friends doing VAs together, including this one against injustice. The artistic vision is as dark as war, but the heart remains red and well-filled. “Against All Evils” comes with profound sonorities through impactful ambient and techno pieces, resonating as memorable soundtracks of the current crisis.
Rudiment – Life Will Win Over Death [2022-03-04]
FUNDS TO HELP THE UKRAINIAN FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Ukrainian artists Stanislav Tolkachev and Sergey Chernyshov teamed up together to curate a special compilation for their home country. Clearly dancefloor-oriented, the VA illustrates the motto “Stop Wars, Start Raves”, with “multi-vitamin” tracks from industrial to dark techno. From the vast array of club bangers, we noticed some familiar atmospheres, such as in the works of Olympic Pool Maintenance League and Distant Echoes, as well as interesting psychedelic pieces, such as “Alpha Magnetic” by Surgeon.
Flaming Pines – Liberty [2022-04-22]
FUNDS TO HELP THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND ARTISTS
When one of the most interesting experimental record labels from the UK announces a compilation, whether it is to highlight the culture of a country like it sometimes does, or for the Ukrainian cause, we hit play in a very compulsive way. Intriguing, enchanting, playing around with deep atmospheres, the poetic pieces form together a living grimoire, touching the soul and the senses. After “Kaleidoscope” in 2019, it’s the second time that Flaming Pines focuses on Ukraine, obviously close to its people.
Headphone Commute – For Ukraine (Volume 3) [2022-09-02]
FUNDS TO HELP THE DISPLACED UKRAINIAN FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
Well-known media in the experimental and ambient realms based in New York, Headphone Commute is for us atypical and fascinating. We love its motto: “honest words on honest music”. Headphone Commute is also a label, mainly focused on releasing instrumental fundraisers, including a memorable one on Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and three volumes dedicated to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. “Music has always been richer than words”: another motto readable in the beautiful tracks of the present third volume, playing around brilliantly with melodies, field recordings and silences, transforming the darkness of war into the beauty of life.
