Electro-industrial duo Snowbeasts iare making a difference through the power of music: Raab Codec and Elizabeth Virosa have compiled a collection to benefit Vostok SOS, and The Ukrainian Red Cross.
For Peace. Against War. Who is Not? showcases the talents of a bevy of electronic and experimental musicians from 27 countries, to aid the war-torn people of Ukraine. The title comes from a phrase from an American photographer, writer, filmmaker, philosopher, teacher, and political activist Susan Sontag. The album was released through Component Recordings.
The collection, a behemoth of 196 donated tracks (over 18 hours of music), features Wolfgang Flür (Kraftwerk), Jack Dangers (Meat Beat Manifesto), MAPS, Robin Rimbaud (Scanner), Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire). There are also contributions from Schneider TM, Todd Barton, and Dead Voices On Air, as well as scores more.
The idea came about when Putin invaded Ukraine in late February.
“We chatted online about our situation as artists, feeling powerless in the face of this war,” Snowbeats said in a statement. “The only thing that came to mind was to use what we can do best for some greater good. Use music to raise money and support the people of Ukraine.”
Watch the trailer for the compilation below:
When Snowbeasts put out the call. Anyone was welcome, including Russian artists, as long as they had some electronic element to their sound.
“We had no idea that we would receive such HUGE and widespread support. People we had never met, from around the world, several of them Russians or of Russian decent donated tracks to the cause, making this compilation a reality. With the daunting task of selecting tracks from all these submissions, in this short time (the release was scheduled just 5 days after the deadline — we want to raise the money fast!) we worked almost day and night, in shifts…We hope that we made an album full of music, timbres, moods, expression, emotions that will convey feelings and help you do what you do, help you cope while you listen to it and motivate you to do more good things. Help a Ukrainian family, donate money to Ukraine, write to your representatives in Parliament and urge them for meaningful change (like transitioning your country away from fossil fuels, one of Putin’s main leverages in this war) for a more peaceful world.”
Come for the music, donate to the cause, and stay for the incredible array of artists and sounds!
Order the compilation here