Bandcamp first publicly situated itself as social justice-minded entity as well as an incredibly useful music platform back in February, when it announced that it would be choosing a day and donating 100 percent of that day's profits to the ACLU. By all accounts, they raised a staggering amount of money, and that was well before the the Trump Administration and its bigoted, white nationalist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, misogynist, ableist, classist, xenophobic, all-around no good, very bad agenda had had a chance to kick into high gear.
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Now, six or so months later (has it really only been that long?), Donny and his pals have gotten settled and are now steadily chipping away at the rights and liberties of everyone who doesn't look like them. Their latest target? Transgender folk, who on top of being one of the most marginalized, over-policed, and at risk communities in the nation, are now being told by the Commander in Chief that those of them who are ready and willing to die for this country will no longer be welcome in the armed forces. Once again, Bandcamp has stepped up, and made their stance known.Today (Friday, August 4, 2017 for those keeping track at home), they will once more be donating 100 percent of their share of every sale to the Transgender Law Center, a nonprofit organization that does critical policy advocacy and litigation on multiple fronts, fights for healthcare for trans veterans, defends incarcerated trans people from abuse in prisons and detention centers, supports trans immigrants, and helps trans youth tell their stories and build communities.As Bandcamp said in a statement, "Bandcamp is a platform for artistic expression, and all manner of variance in experience and identity, including gender and sexuality, is welcome here. We support our LGBT+ users and staff, and we stand against any person or group that would see them further marginalized. This includes the current U.S. administration, and its recent capricious declaration that transgender troops will no longer be able to serve in the military. That this announcement was motivated in part to help fund the border wall exposes it as part of the administration's cynical, discriminatory agenda."
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So, with all that being said, the Noisey staff has cooked up a hodgepodge of favorites that we hope you'll enjoy—and then, of course, buy, because voting with your wallet has never been so crucial. If these don't suit, that's fine, too—here's a list of 200 other labels, bands, and artists who have joined Bandcamp's mission.Couch Slut's Contempt is one of the most punishing things that have come across my desk (and burrowed into my eardrums) this year; it's far too early to make predictions about Best of 2017 laurels, but if I was financially solvent enough to be a a betting woman, I know where my chips would lie. There's already a significant buzz around this record, and for good reason; not only have the NYC quartet made the jump to the eminently respectable Gilead Media, they've somehow pushed themselves even deeper into the fetid, feral recesses of the psyche that power their gruesome Hellhammer grooves, AmRep squeals, and Megan Osztrosits's enraged vocal performance. Contempt is sweaty, violent, visceral—all the things that any respectable extreme music album should be, but somehow, more. Do they play metal? Or do they conjure up jaw droppingly brutal noise rock? What are they, anyway?Fuck you, that's what. - KIM KELLYWe premiered this album yesterday, but I wanted to lavish a little extra ink (e-ink?) on it, because not only is it one of 2017's finest heavy music releases and a shot across the bow from from one of the area's most promising young bands, the band (whose vocalist and noise manipulator, Lex, is transmasculine) are dedicated to staying outspoken about issues of mental illness, addiction, and recovery, as well as their leftist worldview. The talk the talk, walk the walk, and scream the screams so sorely needed within this current incarnation of the metal community. Samples, spoken word, and Lex's own tormented howls provide narration for the pitch-black dirges that blossom around them to form the backbone of Sunnata, an album the band refers to as "Neurosis worship" but know full well is a beast entirely of their own making. - KIM KELLY
COUCH SLUT - CONTEMPT
SUNROT - SUNNATA
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Open Mike Eagle – Brick Body Kids Still Daydream
THE SECRET SISTERS - YOU DON'T OWN ME ANYMORE
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KAREN AND THE SORROWS - THE NARROW PLACE
CLUB CHAI - CLUB CHAI VOL. 1
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MACY RODMAN - THE LAKE
TURNOVER - PERIPHERAL VISION
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CAR SEAT HEADREST - "WAR IS COMING (IF YOU WANT IT) [MARCH MIX]"
Ok, this isn't technically an album, but it is a cool demo version of a forthcoming Car Seat Headrest track that'll only be available for 24 hours. It's a nice little gem for all you Headrest heads out there, and a deceptively infectious standalone tune for those less acquainted. The unpolished cut sees Will Toledo doing what he does best—taking astute stock of existential flux and anxiety—but this time with an appropriate, and even uplifting, get-off-your-ass nudge as a foil to our armchair laments about the world going to shit."Last night I dreamed that you'd murdered some kids / gone up towards the border where the freaks live / I couldn't tolerate it, yet somehow I did," Toledo lilts over a winding bassline. The track offers a little more breathing room from the intensity of last year's Teens of Denial, harkening back to the scuzzy reverb and psych synth melodies of the self-released Bandcamp work that got him here. And hey! Speaking of which, you can buy those today for a good cause too. 2013's Nervous Young Man is essential listening worthy a weekend deep dive. - ANDREA DOMANICK