In January, 2012, one year will have passed since the tragedy in Tucson that took the lives of six people and injured 13 others. There have been many events, exhibitions, and courageous efforts to support the Tucson community in the wake of this tragedy. One of these projects is a unique compilation of songs.
Luz de Vida – Spanish for Light of Life – is an expression of community, love, healing, grace and hope, a positive response from Tucson musicians and national artists who have a special bond with Tucson. Luz de Vida is available in two formats: as a 37-track digital album and a special limited-edition 12-song vinyl release, with exclusively Tucson bands.
Proceeds from the project will go directly to the Tucson Together Fund, the only “officially sanctioned fund established to assist victims, families, and witnesses of the January 8th tragedy in Tucson, Arizona.”
Read the message from Eric Swedlund, Tucson music writer, member of Music Against Violence and a former communications director of Giffords For Congress.
Luz de Vida: A Compilation to Benefit the Victims of the Tucson Tragedy, features 37 songs from prominent national bands and a host of Tucson’s best musicians. The compilation is available now, on beautiful, limited-edition yellow vinyl and digital download, from Tucson’s Fort Lowell Records.
After the horrific shooting that took the lives of six and injured 13 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, members of Tucson’s music community sought to help the victims, their families and the city in general, through one of the darkest days in U.S. history.
Writers, venue operators, recording engineers and musicians spent months compiling and recording songs that reflect on that tragic day. Several business sponsors paid for printing, manufacture and distribution of Luz de Vida, so ALL proceeds from the record’s sale go directly to the Tucson Together Fund, the officially sanctioned fund established to assist victims, families and witnesses of the January 8th tragedy.
The compilation includes songs from Tucson bands Calexico, Giant Sand, Rainer, Tracy Shedd, Dead Western Plains, Lenguas Largas, Salvador Duran, Kiss and The Tells, Holy Rolling Empire, Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta and many others.
Additionally, national artists with a special bond to Tucson have contributed music, including Neko Case, Spoon, DeVotchKa, Jimmy Eat World, Meat Puppets, Robyn Hitchcock, Ozomatli, John Vanderslice, Chuck Prophet and Jon Rauhouse with Rachel Flotard.
Blurt Magazine gave the album a 9 out of 10 rating, saying, “What’s remarkable about Luz de Vida, then, is its across-the-board quality, with even free-wheeling live recordings working wonderfully beside meticulously-crafted studio tracks, and its unquestionable universal appeal.” The Arizona Daily Star called Luz de Vida, “one of the finest showcases of Tucson’s music community ever presented.”
Learn more about the compilation and connect with the project through Facebook or download/purchase at iTunes, Amazon.com or on vinyl.
