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Andrew VanWyngarden 

Photo: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage via Getty Images 

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Mexican Summer Launches New COVID-19 Single Series

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The "Looking Glass" series will be exclusively available on Bandcamp, and money will go directly to the artist or a charity of their choice
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 27, 2020 - 12:57 pm

Brooklyn-based independent record label Mexican Summer is supporting its artists through the COVID-19 pandemic with a new single series called "Looking Glass." MGMT's Andrew VanWyngarden, using the Gentle Dom moniker, launched the series with a remix of New Zealand's Connan Mockasin's "I Wanna Roll With You." 

VanWyngarden's "I Want Troll With You" adds a faster tempo and more drums to Mockasin's laid-back 2010 track, which was released as a part of his 2013 album Caramel. 

Kikagaku Moyo, Matchess and Sessa will also release music in the digital-only series that is "focused on the human condition in a time of remote connection," Mexican Summer said on Instagram. Ariel Pink, Angel Bat Dawid and Julie Byrn are among other artists taking part in the initiative. 

"Mirroring the tenets of Mexican Summer’s ten plus years of supporting adventurous music, Looking Glass looks inward to artists close to the label’s core, and outward to familiar names not far from the family tree, to demonstrate discovery, diversity, and collaboration," the label's post continued.

The singles can be exclusively purchased on Bandcamp. Money from the series will go directly to the artist or to a charity they choose. Listen to "I Want Troll With You" here. 

City On Fire: X's Explosive Debut Album 'Los Angeles' At 40

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Fonseca 

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Fonseca, Lali, Gerardo Ortiz & More To Appear In Made In: Casa Music Festival

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Diego Torres, Gepe, Fito Páez, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Lila Downs, Pabllo Vittar and We The Lion are among other artists participating in the virtual event encouraging fans to stay home to fight COVID-19
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 7, 2020 - 3:45 pm

In a push to keep fans at home, Sony Music Latin-Iberia is putting on a virtual show filled with artists from its roster including appearances from Becky G, Fonseca, Lali, and Gerardo Ortiz. 

The music festival will go live on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube on May 10 at noon Eastern Standard Time. Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma,” Diego Torres, Gepe, Fito Páez, La Oreja de Van Gogh, Lila Downs, Pabllo Vittar and We The Lion are among other artists participating in the virtual event. On top of performances, artists and other special guests will cook, exercise and give music lessons during the livestream.  

While the country is starting to reopen, the label wants to keep music lovers staying home entertained and reinforce "messages of social distancing and prevention to help fight COVID-19," it said in a statement. Sony Music Latin President Alex Gallardo said artists wanted to come together to show their appreciation for their fans practicing social distancing.

"As we’re all staying at home right now, our artists decided to come together and spread some hope and joy to fans around the world," he said. "They’re excited to both remind everyone how important it is to stay home, but to also reward them for doing so with some incredible content. We are excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact together at home."

For more information on the event and to see the full lineup, visit the festival website. 

RIAA Report: Latin Music Is Growing Faster Than The Overall U.S. Music Market

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Pitchfork Fest 2014

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Pitchfork Fest 2020 Has Been Canceled Due To COVID-19 Concerns

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The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Run The Jewels, Waxahatchee, Thundercat, Tierra Whack and more were scheduled to perform at Chicago's Union Park in July
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
May 6, 2020 - 3:08 pm

Pitchfork Fest was set to celebrate its milestone 15th anniversary this year. However, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pitchfork Fest 2020 has been canceled.

The Chicago festival, organized by the digital music publication and scheduled to run July 17–19, said it was "heartbroken" as it broke the news to festivalgoers in a statement on Tuesday, May 6. Pitchfork said the fest would come back in 2021 if the circumstances are right. 

"It can be pretty daunting to think about the future of live music right now, but know that we are fully committed to bringing Pitchfork Music Festival back in 2021, if the public health situation allows for it," organizers said. 

The 2020 festival rendition was set to feature Run The Jewels and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as headliners. Big Thief, Thundercat, Tierra Whack, Caroline Polachek, Waxahatchee, Danny Brown, Maxo Kream, Kim Gordon, Angel Olsen and Yaeji were among other performers set to take the stage at Union Park.  

The festival organized kick-off parties on Feb. 19 and 20 in celebration of its 15 years running. 

Last year, Pitchfork Fest's executive director Adam Krefman spoke to the Recording Academy ahead of the 2019 festival about how it stands out from the rest, its diversity inclusion in its lineup, how much it values being a festival monetarily accessible to fans and how it likes to highlight Chicago's culture. 

"We like to support our own and people are kind of self-made here. And so, that part is just important as the annual celebration of Chicago music and art and culture," Krefman said.

The festival reiterated in their statement that this was not the end for them and that in the meantime, they would continue to support artists in other ways.

"We’re not going anywhere—stay tuned, stay positive, and see you soon," the statement ended. 

Dylan Goes Acoustic: Celebrating 25 Years Of Bob Dylan’s 'MTV Unplugged' Album

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Songathon Prompt Challenge​ Aims To Raise COVID-19 Relief Awareness Through Songwriting

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Voting will take place from May 2–10, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 11
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 30, 2020 - 10:00 am

Usually, Songathon brings together songwriters for a 24-hour in-person songwriting competition. With coronavirus (COVID-19) having changed lives all around the world, the organization wants writers to use their talents to spread social distancing awareness and aid pandemic relief through an online contest.

This month, the New York City-based organization, whose mission is to empower and provide resources to songwriters, wants writers to pen songs around social distancing in the hopes of spreading awareness about its importance, as COVID-19 spreads through close contact.

"Social distancing has been a way that everyone can contribute to lowering the rate of infection, which we believe is essential to keeping everyone safe," Songathon founders Noah Hyams and Amber Ward told the Recording Academy in a statement.

More than a third of the world is currently under some form of lockdown and even as parts of the United States begin to reopen, social distancing continues to be encouraged. Hyams and Ward want songwriters to be inspired by it in whatever way they wish. "Songwriters can relate to the prompt and there is the opportunity for it to be interpreted in a multitude of ways: from staying away from loved ones to learning to cope with isolation," they continued.  

In addition, they hope to add support for GlobalGiving’s Coronavirus Relief Fund by uniting the songwriting community and using music as a tool.

"We’re incredibly excited about bringing together the global songwriting community for such an urgent cause. Music has the power to heal, bring us together, and spread a message,” Hyams and Ward said in a statement to the media.

Competitors are being asked to write a song and record a video of it. Singer/songwriter RuthAnne, who has written songs for Britney Spears, JoJo and Niall Horan, Los Angeles-based rock duo The Score and indie artist and singer/songwriter VÉRITÉ will judge a portion of the competition, while an online audience will judge another​.

A Judges' Choice Award and an Audience Choice Award (to be chosen by public voting beginning on May 2) will be the sought after titles. Prices include guest judges private mentoring sessions, a free Q&A session with global rights performing organization AllTrack and more. 

The competition ends on Friday, May 1. The public will vote May 2–10, and the winners will be announced Monday, May 11. Competitors must be 18 years of age or older. To see rules, prizes and how to participate, go here

Beyoncé & Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage Remix" To Benefit Houston COVID-19 Relief

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Bandcamp Will Continue To Waive Its Revenue Shares On May 1, June 5 & July 3

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On May 1, June 5 and July 3, musicians on the platform will receive 100 percent of revenue for all music and merchandise sales
Jennifer Velez
GRAMMYs
Apr 27, 2020 - 4:22 pm

Bandcamp has announced that it will continue to waive its revenue fees on specific dates in support of musicians as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The music publishing platform will waive its revenue share on the first Friday of every month from midnight to midnight Pacific Standard Time on all sales over the next few months. On May 1, June 5 and July 3, musicians on the platform will receive 100 percent of revenue for music and merchandise. Typically, Bandcamp keeps 15 percent of revenue for digital sales and 10 percent for merchandise.

Musicians across the country have experienced loss of income, particularly where live music is concerned, a major revenue stream for many. On March 20, the platform first waived its fees, with the exclusion of artists subscription payments and vinyl pressing campaign pledges, for 24 hours to aid musicians' income. As a result, Bandcamp earned $4.3 million worth of music and merch. Co-Founder and CEO Ethan Diamond said the revenue was thanks to fans who were "buying 11 items per second" that day. 

The platform understands the effects of the pandemic won't be over soon and wants to continue supporting music artists. "It may sound simple, but the best way to help artists is with your direct financial support, and we hope you’ll join us through the coming months as we work to support artists in this challenging time," Diamond said in a statement. 

MORE RESOURCES FOR MUSIC CREATORS & PROFESSIONALS:

Resources For Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: West Region
Resources For Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: East Region
Resources For Music Creators & Professionals Affected By COVID-19: South Region

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund