The British-American three-piece Gabriels will be performing a late night show at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, and have also teased that a ‘very special guest‘ will be accompanying them. The group were thrilled to be nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023, and are more recently excited by their nomination for Best International Group of The Year at The BRITs for the second year in a row:

It’s official. We are Nominees for International Group of the Year at the @brits, for the second year in a row. We are so grateful. Congratulations to all the nominees and a THOUSAND THANK YOUs to everyone who made this possible. See you on the red carpet – March 2nd.  #BRITs pic.twitter.com/T29gpxyOGt

— Gabriels (@___gabriels) January 24, 2024

Celestial singer-songwriter AURORA will also be taking to the stage following the release of her latest single ‘The Conflict Of The Mind.’ Born in Norway, the omnipresent vocalist has built a huge UK following, and will be performing in collaboration with the charity on February 26 at Lafayette in London.

Unveiling the two musicians as the final additions, War Child said: “These incredible acts are joining us to raise money for children affected by conflict and help give them what they deserve: hope for a better future.”

Taking place between February 19 and March 4 ahead of The BRIT Awards 2024 with Mastercard, BRITs Week will offer exclusive live performances from a diverse range of acts from different genres, including Cian Ducrot, You Me At Six, Keane, Ash, Baby Queen, Aitch, Pendulum, Sleaford Mods, CMAT, Venbee and The Last Dinner Party.

Performances may be more poignant than usual, particularly for fans of You Me At Six who have revealed this will be their last year together as a band. Emotions may also be running high for The Last Dinner Party who are still reeling from their BRIT Rising Star win.

Clare Sanders Wright, Senior Music Manager at War Child said in a statement: “I am so excited to announce the lineup for BRITs Week 2024 and thankful to all of the brilliant artists donating their time to raise vital funds in aid of War Child. The past year is one that we will never, ever forget. Children have paid with their homes and their lives for wars they didn’t start. And then, there are the children who don’t make the headlines – children who might be completely forgotten.”

“But there is hope. War Child help children put the pieces back together. The money raised from BRITs Week 2024 will help War Child keep children safe. Whether it’s mental health first aid, food, or shelter, War Child work in the hardest-to-reach places to ensure that children and their families have hope for a brighter future. We are so grateful to the artists and our partners for supporting BRITs Week 24. Thank you.” she added.

Support acts for this year’s bill have also been announced with Keane supported by Oscar Lang, The Last Dinner Party supported by Rachel Chinouriri, Ash supported by Big Image, Aitch supported by AWxJ1, You Me At Six supported by The XCERTS, CMAT supported by Lorraine Bowen and Baby Queen supported by Lynks. UK radio stations up and down the country will also be promoting and celebrating the week, showcasing the wide range of talent on display.

Ben Cooper, Chief Content & Music Officer for Bauer Media Audio UK commented: “It’s a privilege to be partnering with War Child and for Bauer Audio brands to be hosting this year’s incredible line up of BRITs Week gigs. The ability to showcase such a diverse range of artists highlights the strengths of all of our stations with incredible acts for every single listener to tune in to – whether that’s on KISS or Kerrang! Radio, Absolute Radio or Hits Radio. Bringing these live events to our audience will allow us to shine a light on the vital work of helping children that are the victims of conflicts across the globe.”

Tickets are on sale now and available here. You can also enter a prize draw to win tickets to see an artist of your choice. Fans can make a £7 donation for one entry, a £15 donation for three entries, or a £30 donation for fifteen entries to War Child. To maximise the chance of winning, fans can enter as many times as they like. The prize drawn is open now and available to enter here. The closing date to enter is February 19. Full details and terms and conditions are outlined on the official Brits Week website.

The BRIT Awards 2024 will take place at the O2 Arena in London on March 2.

BRITs Week 24 for War Child:

February

19/02/2024 – Cian Ducrot – Union Chapel, London
19/02 – You Me At Six – Concorde 2, Brighton
20/02 – Keane – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
21/02 – Ash – The 100 Club, London
21/02 – Baby Queen – Lafayette, London
21/02 – Aitch – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
23/02 – Pendulum – HERE at Outernet, London
26/02 – AURORA – Lafayette, London
27/02 – Gabriels – Ronnie Scott’s, London
28/02 – Sleaford Mods – Scala, London

March

01/03 – CMAT – Bush Hall, London
01/03 – Venbee – Omeara, London
04/03 – The Last Dinner Party – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge

The Irish, West London-based artist, (real name Jessica Smyth), took to socials this week to unveil the benefit gig, stating: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the most horrific I’ve seen in my lifetime. There have been so many lives destroyed and dreams taken from innocent people. I wanted to hold an event to raise money to support the people that have been affected and to spread awareness to what’s happening in real time.”

The Cork native gave thanks to her friends and artists participating in the night of music; a stellar lineup of acoustic performances and DJ sets from the likes of Kojaque, Maverick Sabre, Lava La Rue, Mac Wetha, Jelani Blackman, and Yunè Pinku. She went on to also thank the venue for hosting and Choose Love for their extended humanitarian efforts around the world.

In 2016, Choose Love, formerly known as Help Refugees, became the largest grassroots organisation and distributor of aid in Europe, and has gone on to support refugees and displaced people across the globe for nearly a decade.

Emma Stevenson, Deputy CEO of Choose Love, commented: “We’re so grateful to Biig Piig choosing love and helping us get essential aid to the 2+million people trapped inside Gaza. It’s unbearable to witness the devastation and suffering of so many people. But by Choosing Love there is always something we can do when we come together. Biig Piig and everyone who attends the event on February 4th will be making a huge difference.”

The singer confirmed that 100% of all profits raised from ticket sales and merchandise will go towards the non-governmental organisation and will directly support emergency response work in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Since the conflict reached its boiling point in October 2023, other artists across the industry have banded together to express their concern, most recently with Dua Lipa calling for a ceasefire and urging for world leaders to take a stand.

Tickets for the sold out show are still available here at £25, with an opportunity to join a waiting list. Doors are expected to open at 6:30pm, with the event starting at 7pm, plus appearances from special surprise guests.

The charity single has been released to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, with all proceeds from vinyl sales and an undisclosed portion of digital downloads going towards the charity.

In a press statement for the new single, Townshend said, “The pandemic years were terrible for charities; the Teenage Cancer Trust was created in order to take the money from a series of concerts at the Albert Hall every year and various other things and that had all dropped out.”

He continued, “So, the idea of doing this, which is it’s something that has sprung out of Lockdown about mental illness, but also for this particular charity. If you’ve got a scenario in which somebody in your family or a teenager has got cancer, they’re being treated, Lockdown hits, and you’re not allowed to go and visit them. There’s a poignancy to the whole thing about the song.”

The track was composed and produced by Townshend’s partner, Rachel Fuller.

Speaking on how the track came to be created, Fuller said, “We’d just moved house and Pete was as happy as Larry up in his studio, working every day, and I put my back out, I was just climbing the walls, I couldn’t do any creative work and obviously, we couldn’t go anywhere, and I really started to think about how unbelievably difficult this period of time was going to be for so many people. I wrote lyrics and then I sat at the piano and wrote the music, and then I thought, ‘Oh, I really would like to record it, because it’s really not a bad song at all’ — and my singing days are long over. So, I asked Pete to record the demo.”

On working with his partner Rachel, Townshend said, “I’ve helped Rachel make the demos for several of her theatrical projects. She’s a really a fast worker. It’s not that you say to me, ‘Let’s go into the studio for two weeks and work on this project.’ We do it two hours later, or an hour later, it’s done — so it’s easy to work with her.”

“Can’t Outrun the Truth” was recorded in Townshend’s home studio in September 2021. Townshend sings on the track as well as playing violin and lap steel guitar on it for his first solo effort in almost 30 years.

Read more about Teenage Cancer Trust’s incredible fundraising efforts here.

Stream “Can’t Outrun the Truth” here.

We’re delighted to announce the incredible result from The White Label Auction with a record hammer price of £43,540, with net proceeds going to The BRIT Trust!

Read more: https://t.co/VQKmYkVnv9 pic.twitter.com/OcLMlk91Ot

— The BRIT Trust (@TheBRITtrust) June 7, 2022

The auction previously confirmed that all net proceeds will be donated to The BRIT Trust, an esteemed institution which supports charities and establishments involved in the music industry. The trust was founded in 1989 and is partly funded by money raised by the famed BRIT awards and other fundraising events, since its formation the BRIT Trust has raised over £28 million for its many causes. The trust aims to fund educational programmes such as The BRIT School and causes committed to mental wellbeing such as Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy plus many more.

Chair of The BRIT Trust, Tony Wadsworth CBE has given the following statement, “Once again we see people’s love of vinyl combine with the power of music to create something of real worth that will benefit the many causes we support across the UK, whether it’s the next generation of creators from The BRIT School, music therapists from Nordoff Robbins or professionals who work with mental health charities like Mind and Music Support. We are grateful to all the artists and labels for generously contributing their test pressings, and to Johnny Chandler and the Universal UMC team for pulling it all together.”

The auction consisted of 175 lots of White Label LP test pressings, with a large amount signed or personalised by artists many lots sold for four figure sums, the available lots were donated by artists as well as both major and independent record labels. White label LPs are considered vastly valuable by collectors and music fans as they are rarely found and are usually kept in archives. Only a handful are usually produced and provide a special insight into the album’s recording process, the LPs are typically manufactured before the album’s full release.

The Cure and Sex Pistols raise record funds for The BRIT Trust with test pressings #TheCure #SexPistols @TheBRITtrust https://t.co/VK4P71SsaU

— Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) June 8, 2022

The highest selling lot at this year’s auction was a white label reissue of The Cure’s 1989 release Disintegration, which was signed by frontman Robert Smith and sold for £5,500. The auction included five lots of The Cure LPs, the total amount raised by the group’s records amounted to £12,250. Further high figures were seen from the record sales of The Sex Pistols, two 7” test pressings of the iconic album God Save The Queen sold for £2,550 combined.

Amongst the 175 lots, many well-known albums and celebrated artist’s accumulated impressive bids. A 6 LP set of The Police’s Every Move You Make sold for £1,200 and Disraeli Gears by Cream sold for £700. Lots consisting of The Spice Girls’ music also contributed to the auction’s large donation, a White Label LP of Spice sold for £440 and a copy of The Greatest Hits brought in £340, totalling an incredible £780.

The White Label auction first took place in 2019 and is the brainchild of Johnny Chandler, the A&R director at Universal Music UK has given the following statement, “Once again the response to the auction from artists, managers and labels has been incredible – today’s wonderful result, which will see funds raised go to support the work of The BRIT Trust and the charities it supports right across the UK, is down to them and the ongoing love affair fans have with vinyl. Special thanks to Dan Hampson, Gennaro Castaldo, and their respective teams at Omega Auctions and BPI, Julian Stockton and all at UMC for helping make this possible.”

Click here for the auction’s full listings and results.

PRIZE DRAW OPEN

HELP! We are collaborating with Cross Town Concerts and an incredible line-up of artists to bring a huge fundraising concert for our Ukraine Crisis appeal to Bristol.
Enter the prize draw here: https://t.co/Lp636ur7O7#Ukraine #Bristol #WarChild pic.twitter.com/ZBbhRvZY9u

— War Child UK (@WarChildUK) April 7, 2022

All donations and proceeds from the concert will be given to War Child UK to aid in their ongoing mission. Until 31st May 2022, any donation made will be matched by the UK Government as stated via the ticket site, “Your donation will help the unfolding crisis in Ukraine, and match funding from the UK Government will also go to Yemen where millions of children are still in desperate need of protection from conflict.”

Those billed to perform at the War Child benefit show include IDLES, Billy Nomates, Katy J Pearson, Heavy Lungs, Wilderman, Willie J Healey and British icons Portishead. The growing line-up also includes Boca 45 along with guest DJs and Raffle, further announcements will be made to confirm additional acts.

Head of War Child Records Rich Clarke has released a statement thanking all acts involved, within the statement Clarke also describes the organisation’s mission and how the benefit show will provide support, “We deliver life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future. The impact of the situation in Ukraine will affect an entire generation and there will be acutely vulnerable children who need our help to stay safe. The money raised by this gig will make sure that we can respond quickly to children who need that support right now.”

The benefit show will mark Portishead’s triumphant return to the stage, the HELP! Concert will be the group’s first and only live performance in seven years. The British pioneers had this to say about their upcoming appearance, “We are really pleased to be able to support the people of Ukraine by performing a few songs at this event in collaboration with the amazing War Child charity”

Bristol rockers Idles will be performing at their only hometown show for 2022 at the War Child UK event. The band are currently on tour and will continue their European tour dates after the concert. Frontman Joe Talbot has also spoken concerning the one-off show, “We have been kindly invited to play this show for the benefit of War Child. Please donate or sign up to this charity. We believe that nobody should endure war, especially children. Thank you,”

We are very excited to be part of this lineup for @WarChildUK All funding goes to Ukraine. The government matches the amount. 2nd May pic.twitter.com/YRDAUD4b9s

— Heavy Lungs (@Heavylungsband) April 7, 2022

Fellow Bristol rockers Heavy Lungs will also be performing alongside Idles at the benefit show, the two groups’ connection runs deeper than matching hometowns. In 2018, IDLES released the single “Danny Nedelko”, named after the Heavy Lungs’ frontman. The single tells a story of strength and is regarded as a tribute to multiculturalism. Originally from Ukraine, Nedelko has given the following statement concerning the fundraising event, “Hailing originally from Odessa, this is a cause very close to my heart. It’s incredibly special being a part of this show. We are going to bring our absolute best.”

Music fans will be able to get their hands on tickets by entering the prize draw, there are 600 pairs of tickets up for grabs. The draw opened today and all winners are chosen at random, and the competition closes at midnight on 24th April 2022. You can enter for free or pay a £10 donation fee which supplies three entries, donations can be made online or through a postcard.

There is no limit to the number of times in which you may enter and winners will be notified by email from Ticketmaster on Monday 25th April 2022. Due to the limited number of seats, tickets are very exclusive but all entrees will receive access to watch a stream of the event.

Click here to enter into the prize draw.

ITV and STV to stage Concert for Ukraine

Live two-hour spectacular to raise funds for humanitarian appeal – Tuesday 29th March.
Details – https://t.co/yfd11HTMqK pic.twitter.com/r8Ga1BkOvc

— ITV Press Centre (@itvpresscentre) March 16, 2022

A press release for Concert For Ukraine provides the following statement, “Concert for Ukraine will bring together names from the world of music for a unique event spreading a message of hope and support, and most importantly, raising funds for the ongoing DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal…The broadcast will combine emotive music performances with short films recognising the ongoing relief efforts and the plight faced by people affected by the conflict in Ukraine. Viewers will be able to donate money to the cause throughout the evening.”

Head Of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV, Katie Rawcliffe has also spoken on the forthcoming show, “Music is a very powerful tool when it comes to showing support and solidarity, and at ITV we are proud and privileged to be working with Livewire Pictures, Global, M&S and the DEC on such an important and necessary fundraising event.”

Along with proceeds raised throughout the benefit show, revenue generated by sponsorships and advertising from the broadcast will also be donated to the DEC fund. The donation will be made by ITV and has been estimated to reach over £ 3 million.  Working alongside ITV to produce the event are Live wire Pictures, Global, one of Europe’s largest entertainment groups, the show will also be sponsored by Marks & Spencer.

Chief executive of the DEC, Saleh Saeed has supplied the following statement for the benefit’s press release, “It is heart-breaking to see the deepening crisis unfolding in Ukraine as more refugees cross the borders each day with nothing more than what they can carry. The situation for those inside the country is becoming increasingly precarious. But there is something we can all do to bring hope. Funds raised by this concert will make a real difference to those affected by the conflict, sending a strong message of love and enabling DEC charities to help now with urgent aid as well as helping to rebuild lives in the months and years ahead. We are grateful to ITV, Livewire Pictures, Global and M&S for their support to this appeal, our special thanks to ITV who have supported DEC with emergency appeals over many decades and just recently for Afghanistan.”

The DEC is a global organisation that joins together fifteen of the UK’s leading aid charities to raise money and support during times of crisis.  A statement on the DEC’s website outlines their actions, “Pooling our resources to work as one, we are pivotal in co-ordinating the UK public’s response to overseas disasters. In collaboration with our Rapid Response Network of national media and corporate partners, we raise the alarm to the UK public and set up easy ways to donate.”

 

 

 

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Due to the current crisis overseas, the DEC set up the Ukraine Humanitarian appeal in support of those fleeing the conflict. The organisation aims to provide much-needed supplies such as water, shelter, food, healthcare, and protection. The appeal’s most recent triumph was announced on 17th March 2022, the DEC confirmed that £200 million has been raised since the appeal’s launch two weeks ago.

Further details concerning the concert’s line-up have yet to be announced, the organisers promise two hours of presenters and various artists. Click here to learn more and donate.

The description included on the official website reads, “The #ILoveLive memorabilia prize draws were arranged to support the unsung heroes of the live music industry – the people behind the scenes that make the magic happen, the crew and the technicians. Most of these people are self employed and no shows means no income. Although Government support has helped, there are still many that have slipped through the cracks and need our support.”

Artists who donated prizes for fans to win via donation include Sam Smith, Radiohead, Robbie Williams, Melanie C, FKA Twigs, Foals, The Cure’s Robert Smith and many more. Prizes were incredible memorabilia such as Smith’s Schecter ‘Fibonacci Sequence’ UltraCure guitar, hand-painted lyrics by Florence and the Machine, Melanie C’s jacket worn on the Spice World Tour in 2019, and even FKA Twigs’ Commedia dell’Arte masks.

Friday I’m in love … https://t.co/RaA2vjgl84

— Stagehand (@StagehandFund) December 12, 2020

The founder of Stagehand Andy Lenthall told NME, “There are people who have been able to get alternative work, and there are people can survive on self-employment income support, and there are people who have been furloughed – but we’ve lost  lot of people due to redundancies and 20% of our self-employed crew have fallen through the cracks and had nothing.” As well as the money raised, GiftAid gave an additional £10,882 (estimated), bringing the total up to £546,722.

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The event will see each band play improvised material, covers, and original songs, with all money will go to the venue’s Crowdfunder to stay open. Like many other venues across the UK, The Windmill has faced many financial issues caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which could result in its imminent closure. With both bands playing at the venue when starting out in the music scene, the gig hopes to be a celebration of the venue, and help raise enough money to keep The Windmill open.

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The collaborative gig comes after Black Midi release of their latest album ‘The Black Midi Anthology Vol. 1: Tales of Suspense and Revenge’ earlier in the summer, which received critical praise upon its debut. The group are also planning a socially distanced show at the Jazz Café, that will take place a few days after the virtual gig on the 12^th December.

Black Country, New Road are also planning performance’s past the Brixton gig, going on a UK tour in 2021 to follow the release of their debut album ‘For The First Time’ via Ninja Tune in February 2021.

You can see dates for Black Country, New Road’s 2021 tour below:

18/02/21 – Junction 1- Cambridge
19/02/21 – The Loft- Southampton
20/02/21 – Hare & Hounds- Birmingham
22/02/21 – Brudenell Social Club- Leeds
23/02/21 – Future Yard- Birkenhead
24/02/21 – Gorilla- Manchester
25/02/21 – Oran Mor- Glasgow
27/02/21 – Whelan’s- Dublin
01/03/21 – SWX- Bristol
02/03/21 – Chalk- Brighton
03/03/21 – Electric Ballroom- London

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This announcement follows Music Venue Trust’s recent highlighting of 30 grassroot music venues at risk of closing, due to receiving little to no support from the first distribution of the £1.57billion Cultural Recovery Fund implemented to culture venues across the UK. Venues added to the list include The Lexington in London, Dryad Works in Sheffield, The Boulevard in Wigan, and the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool, amongst many more.

Playing in a number of grassroots venues on their rise to stardom, IDLES have pledged their unwavering support to the campaign. “We would have been in the middle of gigging season right now, where grassroots music venues and musicians make their bread and butter, they need your support now more than ever.” Guitarist Mark Bowen commented in a corroborated statement with the fundraiser.

“Grassroots music venues are where music progresses, they are the places where future festival headliners start out, its where the music on the fringes gets an opportunity to grow and turn into popular music of the future, they are places of escapism and to speak to our times, make us think of the world around us. They are our culture.” The IDLES member also commented on impact the government has had on these struggling music venues. “Our government derides independence in culture and especially the music industry, this short-sighted view of culture and its economy will be all of our undoing’s. Support an independent venue/artist/movement where you can.”  

The fantastic @idlesband are raffling off an extra special @HiwattOfficial amp head and cab in aid of raising money to prevent the closure of Grassroots Music Venues.

Entries close at 6pm, Thursday. Have you entered yet?  https://t.co/8xJMZUnkeI pic.twitter.com/JaRrfHV2C2

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) November 24, 2020

Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd has also reiterated the importance of the campaign, warning the public of the consequences that will occur if venues aren’t given enough support.“If we don’t act to save them right now, we do expect a large number of them to be permanently closed – it’s as simple as that. Unless a significant movement is made in the next four weeks, we should expect them to start closing in the middle of December,” he told NME in a recent article.

“Without the public and artists getting behind the #SaveOurVenues campaign, 500 venues would already have closed since March. The fact that we’re now looking at over 400 being safe is a remarkable achievement. If everyone comes back with the same support, we could genuinely save these 30 venues. If people want these local venues to still be there when this is over there is a very clear call to action: choose a venue, get donating, get writing, get calling, get organised. Save them all. Reopen Every Venue Safely.”

You can enter the IDLES’s raffle here.

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!!! BIG NEWS !!! This Wednesday I will be dropping ‘Smash Hits Vol. 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Edition’. This brand new 12 TRACK remix album will be available for download via Bandcamp with 100% of all proceeds going to the Beirut relief fund. So basically this is an excuse to donate to an incredible cause and get a whole bunch of amazing tunes in the process – what could be better?! I’ve had an absolute ball putting this thing together – all the musicians involved have pulled through with 100% BANGERS and I could not be more proud of the finished result. Stay tuned tomorrow for the full track list and lineup – it’s actually so fucking good you aren’t bloody READY! Big love, lynks xxxx

A post shared by lynks (@lynksafrikka) on Aug 17, 2020 at 8:48am PDT

 You may not know who Lynks Afrikka is yet. His most streamed song on Spotify, How to be Successful, only has 74,779 plays. But it is clear Afrikka defines success in different terms.

23 year old Eliot Brett, the man behind the flamboyant make-up and costumes, says that creating Lynks Afrikka was all about making something ‘entertaining and interesting‘. This has certainly been achieved. Like Grayson Perry, Brett uses humour and bravado to comment astutely on society and politics. The last track of ‘Smash Hits, Vol.1‘, Pandemic, finishes with the words: ‘Boris Johnson likes big business// and if I catch him walking ’round Brixton// I’ll cut his fingers off right at the signet’. 

Although Lynks Afrikka may not have entirely hit the mainstream yet, he has already attracted the attention of publications like DIY, Loud and Quiet and NME. NME hailed his humorously titled EP ‘Smash Hits, Vol.1‘ as a ‘thumping success’, drawing attention to deadpan lines like the one describing straight clubs as ‘a lot like a pub but with slightly less chairs’. ‘Smash Hits, Vol 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Addition‘, dropping today, will be a remix of these socially conscious dance tracks.

The release features remixes from exciting London musicians Happyness (who share a love for drag), PVA and Glows, to name a few. These musicians all have connections with Brixton’s The Windmill, a famed institution that has been fostering and showcasing new British talent since the early 2000s.

‘Smash Hits, Vol 1.5 – All Star Charity Remix Addition‘ is well worth purchasing, especially considering all proceeds go to such a worthwhile cause.

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We have contributed two remixes to this fantastic album out tomorrow via @lynksafrikka’s bandcamp – all proceeds go to the Beirut Disaster Relief Effort – you can pre order now via Lynk’s page