“I am confident that it is both possible and worthwhile to attempt a new secular approach to universal ethics. My confidence comes from my conviction that all of us, all human beings, are basically inclined or disposed toward what we perceive to be good. Whatever we do, we do because we think it will be of some benefit. At the same time, we all appreciate the kindness of others. We are all, by nature, oriented toward the basic human values of love and compassion. We all prefer the love of others to their hatred. We all prefer others’ generosity to their meanness. And who among us does not prefer tolerance, respect and forgiveness of our failings to bigotry, disrespect and resentment?
“In view of this, I am of the firm opinion that we have within our grasp a way, and a means, to ground inner values without contradicting any religion and yet, crucially, without depending on religion…
”
So @allisonweiss whom I ADORE belted some “aa-OOOOO” vocals on my song “No One Knows Me” last nite, and she took a pic of my big ol’ album progress chart, with descriptor adjectives on the right. Now you know the names of the songs on the album, you rascal you!
Singing on the new @MartinRivas record tonight. This is his big chart of album progress. The word cloud on the right door is how everything is supposed to feel when it’s done. Amazing.
Kids love The Dominator.
Amazing. My music is officially kid approved!
Thanks to my good friend and old next door neighbor Todd for sending me this little clip of his son singing The World Is Waking Up!
"After The Flood: A Compilation" Out Today!
love you sir
I’m part of a compilation of NY artists to raise money for the Hurricane damage in upstate New York. $15 for 43 tracks by some of my favorite artists and people - go get it! The flood damage is so severe, and the need right now is great.. you can be a big help and get a ton of new music in the process.. Repost please!
After the Flood: a Compilation to Benefit Upstate New York Victims of Hurricane Irene. Available NOW.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2 Midnite edt ::: Hi everyone. After the Flood is available now. Please donate at www.aftertheflood.bandcamp.com and get some bitchin’ music in exchange for helping people. That’s a pretty good win-win deal there.
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UPDATE SEPTEMBER 1 1pm edt ::: The NY Folk Arts Examiner has written a fantastic piece regarding the devastation upstate, and about the After the Flood compilation
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Stories and photos are streaming in from Upstate NY, particularly in creekside towns north of the Gilboa Dam in Schoharie County, NY… and the devastation can only be compared to what happened with Katrina.
CNN, Fox News, the major networks and other news outlets aren’t racing there to cover it. Perhaps it just isn’t sexy enough a story. But it’s life-changingly devastating.
- Hundreds of cows and other livestock have drowned.
- Bridges have simply washed away, including a landmark covered wooden bridge which stood (and withstood many floods) since 1855.
- Portions of important state highway arteries have been completely destroyed. Businesses started by young people hoping to make a difference in the small towns they were raised in have seen their interiors and inventories covered in mud or carried away by seven or eight feet of rushing floodwater. Most of them don’t have flood insurance.
Here’s a story and photos that really drive home the devastation.
With all of this in mind, a bunch of NYC-based artists have joined together to release a benefit compilation album. It’s called After the Flood: a Compilation to Benefit Upstate New York Victims of Hurricane Irene, available now at www.aftertheflood.bandcamp.com
Minimum donation for the entire compilation is $15, but please don’t hesitate to give more if you can. Individual tracks are available for a minimum $2 donation per track.
All proceeds will be directly sent to the Northeast New York State Chapter of the Red Cross, earmarked towards flood relief, and to the Schoharie County Community Action Program.
This is a 43-track compilation, downloadable in a multitude of formats (yay audiophiles!), along with a PDF booklet with information about each artist.
Bandcamp has also lowered their commission for this release so that even more money will make it quickly to the people who desperately need it to recover from these heart-crushingly devastating floods. Pretty awesome of Bandcamp!
Here is the roster of staggeringly talented and equally generous artists who have been kind enough to donate a track to this compilation:
- Abby Ahmad
- Bri Arden
- Chris Ayer
- Alex Berger
- Mary Bragg
- Barnaby Bright
- Lelia Broussard
- Josh Dion
- Bryan Dunn
- Lara Ewen
- Kailin Garrity
- Shira Goldberg
- Caleb Hawley
- Ari Hest
- Greg Holden
- Nick Howard
- Zach Hurd
- Wes Hutchinson
- Mighty Kate
- Patryk Larney
- Live Society
- Valerie Mize
- Allie Moss
- Sierra Noble
- Joyous Noise
- Charlene Kaye
- Will Knox
- Abby Payne
- Rachel Platten
- Chrissi Poland
- The Ramblers
- Martin Rivas
- Jessi Robertson
- Bess Rogers
- Amber Rubarth
- Jesse Ruben
- John Schmitt
- Casey Shea
- Matt Simons
- Allison Weiss
- Alexa Wilkinson
- Alex Wong
- Emily Zuzik
It would be pretty awesome to let these people and towns know that the big, attention-grabbing city at the bottom of the state map contains people who care deeply about what’s happening up there.
It is crucially important that you help spread the word by sharing this blog page… please share it with any news outlets or PR people, or anyone who might be interested in contributing or getting their hands on some bitchin’ music.
Thanks for reading. I’ll keep you posted, I promise.
xoxo
-martin
It is time to numb our senses with music and espresso. And where better to do that than in scenic, historic Bryn Mawr PA?? TOMORROW. Right next to Philadelphia (if you know where Villanova U is, you know where this joint is!)
Tomorrow! Milk Boy Coffee! Bryn Mawr! Martin Rivas! Chris Kuffner! Craig Meyer!
This is the perfect way to kick off a month of summer shows. Come on out!
I’m hoping for cupcakes… and twenty to twenty-five shots of espresso
My friend (and one of my favorite humans alive), Martin Rivas, made this poster for our show together on May 27th in Philly. We will not actually be playing hockey at the show, but we will be celebrating his birthday at the stroke of midnight! Come join us - maybe there will be cupcakes?
Robin is such an insensitive jerk.
