Recommendations (For Your Benefit) with Refresh Records on With Love: A Benefit for The Lilith Fund
Refresh Records have made a mighty and timely return to the benefit compilation scene this most recent Bandcamp Friday with the latest installment in their With Love: A Benefit for… series, reflecting the label’s “no genres, no formulas” attitude with a massive pay-what-you-want playlist directing full proceeds to The Lilith Fund. The compilation touts over two dozen previously unreleased demos and covers from independent heavyweights Harmony Woods, glass beach, Pink Navel, Riverby, Frances Grove, and more — all intended to aid reproductive equality.
“We chose Lilith Fund to show support for those impacted by restrictive legislation limiting abortion rights,” compilation curator and Refresh Records media coordinator Victoria Park told Wormbrain. “Even if the news cycle has moved past the Texas legislature, this issue remains as crucial and relevant as ever. Recently, the Ohio Senate introduced Senate Bill 123, which is almost an exact copy of the restrictive anti-abortion bill introduced in Texas. With a number of our bands and the label base moving to Cleveland, this issue is much closer to our everyday lives than one might like to admit.”
We know that large playlists full of new music can be equally as intimidating as they are exciting, so Wormbrain has asked latest Victoria Parks for recommendations on where to turn your ears.
Curious where to start? Here is what to check out if you’re…
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…real tough on the outside, but actually a big softy inside:
"I Promised My Body" by Maggie Gently.
”There's so much vulnerability in these lyrics, but you might miss it when you're dancing around your room (à la Taylor Swift in You Belong With Me).”
…on a train with headphones on, staring out the window:
"Eugene" by James Barrett.
”James's take on Arlo Parks makes me want to take an Amtrak very, very far away.”
…a teenager fantasizing about a new crush in your head:
"12th Grade" by Lainey Gonzales.
”Lainey sings "Leather seats and rolled down windows / play that song that we all know / Scream it at the top of our lungs / those nights I’d felt my life had just begun" and if that doesn't scream teen romance, I don't know what does.”
…upset and really want to get out of your bummed mood:
"Time" by Frances Grove.
”My gosh, this is one of the best demos I've ever heard. This song will let you cry it out in bed, but beg you to shake it out when you're ready.”"
…upset but kinda want to sink into that super rotten feeling:
"Everybody Loves You" by Harmony Woods.
”The acoustic voice memo recording of this song makes it sound even more lonely; it's equal parts grounded and harrowing.”
…soundtracking an animated movie about woodland creatures:
"Banshee Beat" by Etai.
”This AnCo cover is indescribable in its magic, but this superlative description comes close. Bonus points to actual animal noises on it.”
…driving down a scenic highway with all of the windows down:
"Sweatin' to the Uke Hits (Single Version)" by Catholics.
”This song's twists and turns feel like any good scenic highway drive. It's also the only instrumental track on the comp, which makes it perfect for focusing intently on something (safety first!).”
…passed the aux in a living room at a party full of strangers:
"JACK BLACK / BOWSER" by Pink Navel.
”A moody banger for wordsmiths, playing this song will make you the coolest person in the room.”
…practicing parkour alone in the playground near your house:
"Death of Seasons" by Amygdala.
”Their AFI cover is perfect for a Rocky-esque training montage; no song has made me want to land face-first into a pile of woodchips more.”
…only allowed to hear one song on the compilation ever again:
"Kitchen (Remix)" by Gabbo x Mischa Foster.
”I've never heard anything like this song; it's like a breath of fresh air.”
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Regarding the potential influence of benefit compilations in an age where they are increasingly popping up to fuel mutual aid and community, Park feels that “what makes benefit compilations so impactful is that there’s room for them to be rediscovered by new people and continue amassing donations even after their initial release. Press cycles and newsfeeds pass by so quickly, but having a collection of music to look back upon can keep conversations moving. It also emphasizes the power of collectivity; especially in independent music, we're all much stronger working together than against one another.”
Photo by Phinn Lloyd.
“...especially in independent music, we’re all much stronger working together than against one another.”
W.W: What is Wormbrain?
PV: Worm Brain https://youtu.be/kbmtni4q2_o.
W.W: Thank you for sharing with Wormbrain.
With Love: A Benefit for the Lilith Fund is available now via Refresh Records to benefit The Lilith Fund, the oldest abortion fund in Texas.
