Trans Youth Emergency Project benefit compilation feat. Squirrel Flower / Remember Sports / 22° Halo (May 5th / Worry Bead Records) + April 23rd Single
New York-based independent label Worry Bead Records brings artists like Remember Sports, Squirrel Flower, 2nd Grade, and Pink Navel together for ‘True Names,’ a benefit compilation to raise funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project.
Digital pre-orders launch on April 23rd via Bandcamp and will include the "Reward" lead single from 22° Halo.
‘True Names’ (Out May 5th via Worry Bead Records / Indie & Folk):
Stream / Press Release / Download / Artwork / Label Bandcamp / Label Instagram
Lead Single: "Reward" by 22° Halo (Released April 23rd with album pre-order)
Notable Artists: Remember Sports / Squirrel Flower / 2nd Grade / 22° Halo / Pink Navel
About the Compilation:
“The title, ‘True Names,’ was inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. In the world of Earthsea, True Names are sacred, holding incredible and transformative power. To know your True Name is to know yourself. And to share your True Name is an extreme act of vulnerability and courage.
States across the country are targeting trans youth by restricting their access to life-affirming care. With this comp, we're raising funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families of trans youth find healthcare providers, travel to appointments, and pay for medication.
True Names was a big team effort. The songs—all unreleased b-sides, demos, and live cuts—were collected from our music communities in Boston, New York, Philly and beyond. With this comp, we hope to do our part in supporting TYEP’s important work.” – Matt O’Connor (Worry Bead Records / Tuxis Giant)
About the Trans Youth Emergency Project:
“Cruel laws banning best-practice gender-affirming care have passed in 25 states across the country – and as a result, thousands of transgender youth and their families are being forced to travel extreme distances and take on significant expenses just to get the care they need.
The Trans Youth Emergency Project is here to help families navigate this complex and exhausting maze, offering logistical and financial support. Our team provides 1-on-1 custom patient navigation services and supports families of transgender youth with emergency grants to help them travel out of state for care.” – TYEP (Campaign for Southern Equality)
About Worry Bead Records:
Worry Bead Records is a family-run, community-oriented DIY label based in Queens, NY. It's run by Matt O'Connor (of Tuxis Giant) and their partner, Jenny Ruenes.
About ("Reward" Single Out April 23rd):
Under the moniker 22° Halo, Philadelphia PA-based songwriter & producer Will Kennedy crafts intimate lo-fi dream pop/slowcore gems akin to the likes of Duster, Grandaddy & Low. With recent US touring alongside Mia Joy and Far Caspian plus Snail Mail and The Softies supports, the latest album ‘Lily of the Valley’ was released on 8th November via Far Caspian’s independent record label Tiny Library Records.
"The Philadelphia band 22º Halo have been at it for a few years now, but they’re first crossing my radar with Lily Of The Valley, the spectacular new album they released last week. I discovered it through the new edition of Chicago music journalist Josh Terry’s excellent weekly newsletter, No Expectations, to which you should definitely subscribe if you like indie rock, indie folk, and various rootsy, jammy, meditative permutations therein." – STEREOGUM
"Singer-songwriter Will Kennedy moves through grief in delicate and unsparing ways using the simple sounds of lo-fi indie rock." – PITCHFORK
22º Halo Links: bio.site/22degreehalo
ALSO AVAILABLE ON APRIL 18TH:
Album: Avery Friedman – ‘New Thing’ (Vinyl & Cassette / April 18th / Indie):
Brooklyn-based artist Avery Friedman explores her trauma, resilience and queerness on 'New Thing.' This acclaimed debut album features members of Florist, Sister., Told Slant, and CIAO MALZ.
Singles: “Flowers Fell” / “Photo Booth” / “New Thing” (Bandcamp / Spotify)
Featuring Members Of: Florist / Sister. / Told Slant / CIAO MALZ
FFO: Squirrel Flower / Babehoven / Adrianne Lenker / Indigo De Souza
Support: BBC / The Line of Best Fit / Under the Radar / No Depression / Post-Trash / New Noise Magazine / The Alternative / The Honey POP / Spotify (Fresh Finds) / KLOF Mag / Atwood Magazine / WFUV / WNYU / Hype Machine (“Popular Now” Chart #1 / “Most Posted” Chart #1)
“Her full-length debut, New Thing, is a work of raw singer/songwriter confessionalism, evoking the knotted melodies, homespun arrangements, and searing edges of musicians like Squirrel Flower, Babehoven, or Adrienne Lenker.“ – UNDER THE RADAR MAGAZINE
“New Thing, the scarily accomplished debut album from Avery Friedman, is all about change and growth…Friedman inhabits a complex emotional realm where nervousness can coexist with (and inform) ideas of sexiness, sadness, tenderness. Her world is fragile but appears to have arrived fully-formed.” – KLOF MAG
