The tragedy of the Ghost Ship fire was almost beyond comprehension. The 36 people who died that night were our loved ones and family members, our friends and roommates, our colleagues and collaborators, our co-conspirators and partners in crime. The publicity surrounding the fire triggered raids and evictions in similar artist spaces in Oakland, the greater Bay Area and several other states across the country. The pain that this fire caused is deep, and it is ongoing.
We present SHIPMATES, our small attempt to use art to help alleviate some of that pain. Twelve musicians from around the world contributed original works to this record. We crafted it with love, and we really hope you enjoy it.
Every bit of profit from this album's sales is going straight to Immediate Oakland, a relief fund for those who lost loved ones in the disaster. It's one of the few relief funds that's actually started doling out money to those who've been affected, but many those folks are still need of hope and help. By purchasing this album, you'll be helping them out.
Thank you so much for coming here and reading this, and please, spread the word about this if that's something you'd like to do. We hope you enjoy the music.
Learn about the victims of the fire here:
www.kcra.com/article/we-remember-all-36-people-who-died-in-ghost-ship-fire/8484148
Learn about the relief fund here:
www.youcaring.com/ourcommunityaffectedbytheoaklandghostshipfire-715087
"It Could Have Been Any One Of Us," by Gabe Meline
ww2.kqed.org/arts/2016/12/04/it-could-have-been-any-one-of-us/
released February 1, 2017
Compiled by Seth Millstein
Artwork by Jenni Williams
Mastered by h00zy, Ryan Coyle and Cale Skinner
Many, many thanks to all of the amazingly talented artists who donated their work to this: Orenda, Grid Division, Two Headed Conspiracy, Cosmal, Narkatta, Hubrist, h00zy, Marty Fowler, No Rush and Jenni Williams. Find their work here:
soundcloud.com/orenda
soundcloud.com/narkatta
soundcloud.com/theresnorush
soundcloud.com/grid-division
soundcloud.com/cosmal
soundcloud.com/h00zy
soundcloud.com/twoheadsarebetter
soundcloud.com/hubrist
soundcloud.com/martindfowler
www.instagram.com/jenniisketch/
Extra special thanks to Matt Michaud, who hustled his ass off to make this happen and played a huge role in its creation; Augy aka h00zy, who mastered the bulk of the songs for free; Ryan Coyle, who mastered a few more and kept the trains running on time; and Jenni Williams, who illustrated a stunning piece of art for the album cover.
And the biggest thanks of all to the Bay Area's community of artists, musicians, co-oppers, face painters, activists, fire spinners, slackliners, burners, clowns, burlesque dancers and all of the other wonderful weirdos who make the Bay the amazing place it is.