Philly artists join forces to help healthcare workers via Fuel The Fight compilation
A group of musicians from Philadelphia have contributed songs to Fuel The Fight, a compilation album to benefit essential workers in the Philly area during the coronavirus pandemic. The compilation comes out May 1 on Bandcamp, and all proceeds will be donated to the Fuel the Fight campaign, which partners with local restaurants to provide meals to healthcare workers at area hospitals.
The project was started by local musician Madalean Gauze, who, watching the news every day, wanted to do something to help but didn’t know how. She started by reaching out to four local bands, and the project quickly started to grow. 41 total artists so far have contributed to the compilation, which features new songs, old singles and demos recorded during quarantine; Madalean tells us there will be even more added between now and release day.
“What I love about this album is that it is composed of so many different kinds of musicians,” Madalean Gauze says. “On one track there will be a new artist and on another track there will be a seasoned musician who tours around the world. It is moving to know that everyone who contributed to this wanted to be on it and didn’t question who else was on it. I didn’t need to sell the project. As soon as they heard the purpose of the charity each band jumped on board.”
Eric Slick of Dr. Dog, Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, Coping Skills, and Secret Nudist Friends are among the artists featured on the compilation. You’ll also hear a previously unreleased song from Chelsea Sue Allen, and an early track from Mighty Joe Castro and The Gravaman’s forthcoming new album. A particularly special contribution is a live recording of the Bootsie Barnes Sextet at Ortlieb’s, which comes after news of the renowned jazz saxophonist’s recent death from COVID-19.
“In the end this project made me realize we all want to help and we are all in this together,” says Gauze. “I hope whoever listens to this gives every track a chance. Even if one of the songs isn’t typically what you would listen to, try to understand and admire that the people who are playing the music care about what’s going on in the world and want to help.”