Patagonia Inc., the environmentally minded apparel company, has joined with well-known musicians across a range of genres to raise money for environmental causes.
The Patagonia Music Collective launches today in the United States to sell exclusive recordings at $.99 each. Net proceeds go directly to the environmental organizations of the artists’ preference.
Musicians on board thus far include Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, Bonnie Raitt and Jon Cleary, Maroon 5, Philip Glass, Zac Brown Band, moe., The Bad Plus, Blitzen Trapper, Mason Jennings, John Scofield, Piers Faccini, Switchfoot, Brett Dennen, Sun Kil Moon, Umphrey’s McGee, Ben Solee, RaRa Riot, Spoek Mathambo, Taj Mahal, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Drive By Truckers, Bobby Long, String Cheese Incident, Ki: Theory, Moondoggies, Vusi Mahlesela, Disco Biscuits, O.A.R., Ziggy Marley, Los Lobos, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Brandi Carlile, Laura Jansen, Medeski Martin & Wood, Robert Randolph and the Family Band and more.
"Musicians have been interested in partnering with Patagonia on our environmental work for years, but we didn’t have the right platform to work together effectively," notes Rob BonDurant, Patagonia’s vice president of marketing, "The Music Collective provides us with a way to partner directly with enviro-minded artists and to engage their fans in environmental efforts. It’s truly a new model for green giving."
The Patagonia Music Collective will launch with 22 tracks bundled into two volumes of 11 tracks each. It will continue as a long-term project, with one new benefit track and three emerging tracks to be released each subsequent week. Exclusive benefit compilation albums will be available at varying intervals at Patagonia stores worldwide.
The collective encompasses all genres of music from pop to roots, reggae to indie rock, jazz to alt-country, and supports a similarly diverse range of environmental action. By featuring previously unavailable material from both established and rising artists, the Patagonia Music Collective aims to engage a diversity of fans directly in environmental giving.
"My hope is that fans see their favorite artists supporting the environment and want to get involved themselves," notes Patagonia founder and owner Yvon Chouinard, "The groups these musicians are supporting are the ones that are ultimately going to save the planet. Patagonia’s hopeful other musicians will see that by just donating a song they can easily provide their favorite enviro group with a new stream of financing."
"Any endeavor that combines great music with fund raising for quality environmental organizations gets my attention," said Bonnie Raitt. "When Patagonia approached us to be involved we were excited to team up. I’ve been a supporter of Earth Justice for almost a decade, because, as their slogan states, ‘the Earth needs a good lawyer.’"
As the latest in an extensive series of initiatives Patagonia has lead to further environmental action and awareness, the Patagonia Music Collective builds upon the success of such programs as 1% for the Planet (a coalition of 1400+ companies that pledge to give 1% of their annual sales to enviro organizations) and the Conservation Alliance (a coalition of business that grants 100% of its member dues to grassroots environmental groups).
The Patagonia Music Collective is not a record label, nor is it simply a downloads-for-charity campaign. It is a perpetually evolving program that allows musicians to direct money to specific environmental causes while giving listeners rare access to previously unavailable music. "Most importantly the program fosters an artistic and political exchange between the passionate communities of musicians, fans, environmental advocates, and Patagonia’s own loyal, socially-conscience customer base," Patagonia said in a release.
The tracks will be available at the link below, through a dedicated iPhone app and a web widget at participating artists’ websites. Fulfillment will be handled by iTunes. The program will roll out internationally in Japan, the UK, Canada, and elsewhere this June.
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