Pearl Jam, the Strokes Contribute Tracks to Homless Charity CD

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Pearl Jam members Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, as well as bands Modest Mouse and the Strokes are contributing tracks to Live From Nowhere Near You Volume II, with 100 percent of proceeds going toward Portland’s homeless youth-serving organization, Outside In.

The “benefit concept CD” is a 3-disc set and will be released July 19 by Greyday Records. Also on the album will be Bright Eyes’ singer and songwriter Conor Oberst, as well as James Mercer, Wilco, Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith, Josh Homme, and Daniel Johnston from the group the Shins.

The original Live From Nowhere Near You was released in 2003. Producer Kevin Moyer explained the conception of the project in a statement through Pitchfork: “I was outside a venue after a show waiting on friends and sat down with an amazing street musician.

“He was better than the band we had just seen and all of these ‘music fans’ were leaving the show with their $20 t-shirt merch[andise] purchases tucked under their arms and not paying any attention to this guy playing at their feet for free.”

The experience caused Moyer to question how people perceived music, and how much of their perception is affected by where listeners think the music is coming from.

“Would a Keith Richards guitar riff be considered garbage be perceived as garbage if a guy on the street was playing it and asking for a dollar?” Moyer said as he continued to explain his concerns.

“Collaborating street musicians with professionals” as the cover of the benefit CD reads, permits audiences to enjoy the music with an open mind, and all the while, profits go to homeless and street youth programs.

Live From Nowhere Near You Volume II is available for preorder.