A host of electronic artists – including Quietus favourites such as Perc, Leyland Kirby, Hieroglyphic Being, Legowelt, Scanner and Antoni Maiovvi – have contributed tracks to a colossal new compilation intended to raise money and awareness around the difficult situation currently faced by LGBT people in Russia (via Spin).
Titled LGBT Rights For Russia Now!, the compilation gathers together 24 tracks from a variety of musicians, and costs a mere €8 via Bandcamp. Proceeds are being donated to Gayrussia.eu, the group who organise Moscow’s Gay Pride events. You can stream and buy the compilation here, which we strongly recommend – not only is it for an important cause, but there’s some killer tracks on there to boot. (Somewhat predictably, we’re particularly enjoying Perc’s hefty ‘The Slow Path’ and Legowelt’s lovely, gauzy ‘Rivers III’.)
As well as raising money, the compilation is also intended to raise additional international attention around the oppressive legislative changes recently imposed by Vladimir Putin’s government, which have made it illegal to promote "non-traditional sexual lifestyles" when in the presence of under-18s. Fears of the potential use of these laws to persecute LGBT people in Russia have generated significant international outcry. The dance music community – much of whose roots lie in the gay clubs of Chicago and New York – has responded strongly in recent weeks, with several major clubs having scheduled parties to protest against the situation in Russia. They include Berlin’s iconic Berghain/Panoramabar, New York’s Output, Paris’ Rex Club, San Francisco’s Holy Cow and Munich’s Harry Klein, with more apparently likely to be announced (More information at Resident Advisor).
