Before the Goldrush: Teach for America

I've been sitting on this for a while... It's a pretty impressive list of covers and definitely worth checking (Neko Case, Okkervil River, Ana Egge, etc.) - and it's for a good cause.

Okkervil River and Joni Mitchell, before the goldrush

Since you know you’re probably not gonna quit your job and Teach For America (unless you are one of my idealistic college-student readers in which case: DO it!) there’s a new compilation out that will let you toss them a few kopeks instead to help them carry on their noble educational goals.

Before The Goldrush is a benefit album of freshfaced up-and-coming types (along with some moderate heavies like The Swell Season and Neko Case) covering some of the very best songwriters of the halcyon days gone by. The song selection is spot-on fantastic, and all the proceeds benefit Teach For America.

[From Okkervil River and Joni Mitchell, before the goldrush | I AM FUEL, YOU ARE FRIENDS]

Download Róisín Murphy (and others) - I'm Every Woman (FREE)

And help a good cause...

Action Aid's Six Degrees of Separation present: I'm Every Woman from 6Degrees on Vimeo.

To support Action Aid and download this song for free, please visit: http://www.actionaid.org.uk/6degrees/?page=free-download

Based on the theory of 6 Degrees o Separation, the project is bringing women in the UK together with women living in poverty, in the fight for women's rights and an end to the violence they face.

The single, I'm Every Woman, is a cover of the Chaka Khan classic, but with 6 artists as innovative, exciting and individual as Amanda Ghost, Michachu, Roisin Murphy, CockNBullKid, Alessi's Ark and Sinead O'Conner - this was never going to be a straight rendition.

Flipping the original on its head, I'm Every Woman is a call to action, echoing the sentiments of 6 Degrees that whatever is going on in the world, we're in it together.

(thanks Electroqueer)