Secretly Canadian Releases Songs: Ohia Cover From SLYVIE, SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE Remix of Empath’s “80s” For 25th Anniversary Singles Series: LISTEN
As Secretly Canadian approaches the 25th installment of its 25th Anniversary singles series, Bloomington, Indiana’s most indelible indie record label has released a charitable, celebratory cover song from the band Sylvie (Drug Dealer’s Benjamin Schwab, with Marina Allen, Sam Burton and friends), as well as a new collaboration from Empath and SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE. Since launching exactly a year ago, SC25 Singles have played a central role in the sweeping efforts of the entire SC25 – Every Light On This Side Of The Town campaign, supporting a mission to end homelessness for families living in Secretly’s Midwest hometown. Currently nominated for the A2IM Humanitarian Award at 2022’s Libera Awards, the country’s largest celebration of independent music, all net proceeds from each SC25 initiative will continue to benefit a $250,000 fundraising goal for Bloomington-based institution, and gender-inclusive emergency housing solution, New Hope For Families.
Listen to Sylvie’s “Hold On Magnolia,” a new take on a classic from formative Secretly Canadian artist and Songs: Ohia visionary Jason Molina, whose self-titled Songs: Ohia LP was recently re-pressed as part of the commemorative reissues series, SC25 Editions.
Jason Molina also inspired a recent SC25 Single from North Carolina band Wednesday, and was the debut subject of Secretly Group’s just-launched podcast, Secretly Society. As the story goes, it was one of the earliest days of the label when Jason Molina jammed part of a broken guitar into a maple tree in the backyard of Secretly Canadian co-founders Ben and Chris Swanson. Rather than break the tree or shatter the neck, the maple absorbed this shrapnel, frets and all, patiently forming an unexpected and unlikely totem for the company’s story.
Sylvie’s Benjamin Schwab says, “To pay tribute to legendary songwriter Jason Molina we chose to cover ‘Hold on Magnolia.’ For me personally growing up in Ohio, his raw Midwest sound struck a chord with me. We tried our best to give the song a Sylvie treatment, changing the arrangement and cadence of melody, while still trying to keep the magical feeling from the original. We are proud to be part of the SC25 series alongside such amazing artists and especially for such a good cause to raise money for the homeless in conjunction with New Hope For Families.”
Listen to Empath and SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE’S “80s” (SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE Remix), a reimagining of a standout from Empath’s latest Visitor LP.
“We knew we wanted Zack to remix something for us on this record. He’s good at making things sound insane, but in a very different way than Empath typically does,” says Empath’s Catherine Elicson. “We basically gave him the song and said ‘go buck’ and he nailed it! Thanks Zack :)”
SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE’s Zack Schwartz adds, “Lemme say thank you to Empath for asking me to do this and to Cathy for allowing me to autotune her vocals extremely and hopefully we can make something together in the future.”
Like Sylvie, Empath and SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE, the SC25 Singles series has welcomed even more artists and friends than the Secretly Canadian roster can hold, such as Bartees Strange, Bright Eyes, Cassandra Jenkins, Goose, Jim James, Madison McFerrin, Phoebe Bridgers, Tasha, Wednesday and many others. Listen to all of those, plus tracks from the label’s own Hatchie, Porridge Radio, Skullcrusher, Stella Donnelly and more here: https://ffm.bio/sc25
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Last week, New Hope For Families cut the ribbon on a brand new location to serve more homeless community members in need, as the organization remains the only place in Monroe County where families with children can find emergency shelter together. Featuring two newly-constructed buildings, four age-specific outdoor classrooms, a playground and parking accommodations, the space triples the number of seats in New Hope’s early childhood care and education program, while increasing its emergency shelter and family case management capacity by 70%.
In addition to emergency shelter and case management services, New Hope For Families also offers nationally accredited childcare and early learning programs. There are currently a reported 334 unhoused people in Bloomington, including 81 children and 34 families, and with Secretly Canadian’s donation New Hope can build a housing unit to serve 20 families in a year (800 families in its 40-year lifespan), or provide services to 40 families for the full duration of their time with the shelter.
Learn more about the new location and the work of New Hope For Families: https://www.newhope4families.org/blog/new-hope-for-families-opens-new-location
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