Reminder: Get Down For Goodness Sake @ Varsity Theater

Tonight: Chris Johnson Benefit Party Feat. St. Paul Slim

Tonight: Hip-Hop For The Homeless At The Triple Rock

Download: Dessa - "Mineshaft"
Download: Heiruspecs - "5ves"
Download: Muja Messiah - "Get Fresh" (ft. Real Spit Rio)
Download: Big Quarters - "Lou Diamond"
Download: M.anifest - "Gentleman"
Download: Sha Cage - "Amber People" (ft. Truthmaze)

Even though it's tempting, even inevitable, for one to complain about the cold weather, at least most of us have a permanent place to stay where we can seek refuge from sub-zero temperatures. However, it goes without saying that there are those who are less fortunate: namely, the homeless. It may be tempting to dismiss the beggars we all see on the streets as being too lazy to work. But the simple matter is that statistics paint a vastly different picture. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, 23 percent of the national homeless population are veterans, the vast majority of whom have received honorable discharges. Additionally, it is estimated that one-third of the nation's 744,000 homeless have untreated psychiatric illnesses.

Most of these statistics concern adults. However, there are also numerous teenagers and young adults who, because of broken homes, have no place to turn to when they are in need of help.

With this information in mind, as well as the demands of modern day society, one might feel overwhelmed and not think that they're able to help those who may need the help. But that's where you'd be wrong. Tonight at the Triple Rock, Radio K is sponsoring Hip Hop For The Homeless, an event hosted by I Self Devine featuring many of the Twin Cities' best, and most socially conscious, hip-hop artists such as Deena, M.anifest, Big Quarters, and Muja Messiah, amongst many others (listen to MP3s of most of the artists involved at the top of the post).

Tickets for the event are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Doors are 9 p.m. and the show is 18+. Proceeds from the event will go to YouthLink, an organization which is "one of the largest and most experienced nonprofit youth service providers in the Twin Cities."

Buy tickets here.

Dessa MySpace Page
Heiruspecs MySpace Page
Muja Messiah MySpace Page
The Chosen Few MySpace Page
Maria Isa MySpace Page
Big Quarters MySpace Page
M.anifest MySpace Page
Sha Cage MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Donations To Benefit Victims Of Bottom Of The Hudson Tour Bus Accident

Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Perfect Distillation" (from Fantastic Hawk)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "All Bottled Up" (from Coyote/Bottom Of The Hudson 12" split The Elements)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Riot Act" (from Holiday Machine EP)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Bee Hive" (from Fantastic Hawk)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Motorcaid"(from The Omaha Record)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Hand Writing" (from Fantastic Hawk)
Download: Bottom Of The Hudson - "Holiday Machine" (from Holiday Machine EP)

This is old news now, to be sure, but it's still important all the same. This tragic roadside accident, in which Trevor Butler of indie-rock outfit Bottom Of The Hudson was killed and the rest of his bandmates hospitalized, came to my attention via an anonymous comment on the blog. Here are more details, via Absolutely Kosher:

Philadelphia/Brooklyn band Bottom of the Hudson suffered a serious van wreck on Sunday, July 29th, while returning home after the final date of a short East Coast tour to promote their new album, Fantastic Hawk, released just two weeks ago on July 17. While on I-40 near Clinton, NC, a tire blew out sending the van out of control and flipping it multiple times. Bassist Trevor Butler was killed in the accident and drummer Greg Lytle is currently in ICU in Chapel Hill, NC. The other members of the band, Eli Simon, Michael Prince and William Chesterton Chambers, suffered minor injuries and were released from the hospital. We will update this page as news comes in.

We didn't have an opportunity to get to know Trevor Butler as well as we would have liked, but he was a great guy and a great musician. He was instrumental in the evolution of the band's sound over the years. In addition to playing in Bottom of the Hudson for the last several years, Trevor also was a founding member in fellow-Philadelphia group Coyote. He was utterly devoted to music and helped many, many bands set-up shows in Philadelphia. We are devastated by his loss and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the band and their families. Thanks to everyone who has sent condolences and well-wishes.

Donations can be made here via paypal and benefits are being scheduled. Please keep the band in your thoughts and prayers. At the top of the post, you'll find an MP3 dump of the B.O.T.H music.

(Jonathan Graef)