Birdie Busch, Roger Harvey, Jackson Pines and more featured on Folkadelphia’s Co​-​Mission compilation for artist relief

Folkadelphia has started Co-Mission, an ongoing project to help artists and musicians in need during this time of uncertainty. The project launches with Co​-​Mission: An Artist Relief Compilation, Vol. 1 which is out now on Bandcamp and includes contributions from 15 artists, including some Philly folk favorites.

The recordings, which artists have made in their home studios, on GarageBand, or even on their cellphones, were commissioned by Folkadelphia, allowing the musicians to receive compensation from their work. The compilation is available on a donation basis, and all proceeds from sales will be used to commission more recordings and create future compilations. And according to Folkadelphia, “All the while, we will be looking for opportunities to highlight these artists’ work, records, and any other ways that supporters can directly spend or donate money to them” to help alleviate the financial, professional, and personal instability they’re facing.

Each artist shared a few comments about the songs they chose, their lives during quarantine, and how you can support them. Roger Harvey and Anika Pyle covered a John Prine song, “In Spite of Ourselves.” Harvey writes, “If you like our music follow along with us, as we are making a concerted effort to continue to share music through this time in hopes to bring joy to ourselves & to others from a distance.”

Birdie Busch‘s “The Center” is inspired by Civil Rights-era artist Corita Scott Kent. “It seemed like the right time to record it as the content is pertinent,” Busch shares. “It’s about finding yourself in an uncertain unstable world and what are you left with that’s true? Love. Music. Art. Conversations with your spirit and with others. Being more at peace with the unknown. Still finding ways to share.”

Nashville siger-songwriter Mercy Bell shared a song that was recorded during her Live Folkadelphia Session and writes, “Being creative has gotten me through every hard time of my life. This is serious and terrifying. But I keep reminding myself that if you survive your rock bottom, it can be a trap door to a new life. So hang in there, Earth.”

New Hampshire artist Jason Anderson wrote the aptly titled “Together, Apart” when his March tour was canceled and he decided to start playing online shows from his bedroom instead. “In some ways, it took performing in an empty room to make me realize how much my soul depends on the catharsis and connection of live music,” he says.

Other artists included on the compilation include Jackson Pines, Esther Rose, Johanna Warren, Michael Cormier and more. Listen below and read more about the Co-Mission project at folkadelphia.com.