Chicago Labels & Artists To Support On Bandcamp Today To Donate To Transgender Law Center

By Stephen Gossett in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 4, 2017 6:20PM

Photo by Freshly Diced

Bandcamp is quite a bit more than your average music-streaming/download platform. For one, they're incredibly indie-friendly; and their editorial side also publishes some of the best music writers out there, who routinely go deep beneath the surface to shine a spotlight on vital-but-underexposed, DIY artists. And they of course maintain a steadfast social conscience all the while. Case in point, Bandcamp is donating the entirety of their share for each purchase made today, Friday, August 4, to the Transgender Law Center. Everything they sell until midnight Pacific time (2 a.m. our time). It follows a similar action they took in February, in which proceeds went to the American Civil Liberties Union.

Bandcamp wrote:

"When an Executive Order was issued earlier this year barring immigrants and refugees from seven Middle Eastern countries from entering the United States, we held a wildly successful fundraiser for the ACLU. We hope you’ll join us in now doing the same in support of trans rights. To participate as a fan, simply purchase music through Bandcamp today and we’ll donate our share of the sale to TLC... Since our announcement, over 200 bands and labels have joined us in donating their share of proceeds to TLC."

Chicago is well represented among those who have volunteered to give their portion, as well. The Hausu Mountain label for example is donating all shipping costs and 20% of sales to TLC. The label sports in incredible roster (Good Willsmith and TALSounds are personal favorites), but you should definitely check out the ferocious Forced Into Femininity (aka trans artist Jill Flanagan, fresh off a panel appearance at Fed Up Fest).

The kosmische/drone-specialist folks at Kranky are also contributing. Ambient-drone-folk favorite Grouper is donating 100 percent of the artist's proceeds of an exclusive new track to TLC. Listen below and add it to the cart.

Also, the good folks at Numero Group are giving proceeds from ann early release of trans trailblazer Jackie Shane's single “Cruel Cruel World" to TLC. It's from an upcoming reissue of Shane's work, which we wrote about here yesterday. Essential listening.

Chicago's very own "machine-tooled no wave" outfit Crown Larks is also donating all of their cut today. Skronk along for a good cause.

You can find Bandcamp's own recommendations here (including the formerly Chicago-based Mykki Blanco). It's one of those days where there really is no wrong buy.