They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh has compiled a new compilation album in aid of the MoveOn organisation which exists to champion the cause of democracy in the US (apparently America isn't quite as democratic as George W likes to claim). REM, Blink 182 and Fountains Of Wayne are among the artists who have donated tracks to the album - called 'Future Soundtrack for America' - which will be released through Seattle-based indie Barsuk Records on 10 Aug.
Speaking to Billboard Flansburgh explained: "I'm essentially a private person. I enjoy the renown that the band has gotten and I like walking into a music store and people being nice to me, but beyond that, I pretty much don't need to be any more famous. But, as a citizen, I felt like we're living in an extreme time and I feel I'm very nervous and unhappy with the state of the world and I wanted to do something other than just shake my fist at the TV."
Other artists on the album include Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, David Byrne, OK Go, Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, TMBG, of course, and a track from the late singer/songwriter Elliot Smith
Asked about how he got so many artists involved Flansburgh continued: "I called people that I knew and people I knew who knew other people, and I have to say I was completely knocked out. Virtually everyone we approached was into it. This is a very different moment than a lot of others where moderate people, people with sensible, measured political opinions are more than a little outraged by what's happening. Everyone has to remember the events of the last election. Things have not gotten better since then; they've gotten worse. There's no reason that we cannot affect a basic change."
And hurrah to that - we'll let you know if the album is going to get a release over here. Meantime don't forget TMBG's new album 'The Spine' is out on 5 Jul on Cooking Vinyl - look out for our review tomorrow.