Archy & Mehitabel, Lee Waters and Alexander Horwitz pictured above, have released the single Virginia, and all the proceeds will be going to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. I was given the opportunity to get an early listen, and I loved this track right away. From the opening melancholia of Lee's amazing vocals, to the amazing piano work by Alexander, alternatively soft and sweet to bold and powerful. The chorale break, seemingly inspired by the French Baroque style, adds another layer, a new modulation.
Lee and Alexander have decided the proceeds for the single will be going to the Matthew Shepard Foundation, founded by Dennis and Judy Shepard in memory of their 21-year-old son, Matthew, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Wyoming in October 1998. Created to honor Matthew in a manner that was appropriate to his dreams, beliefs and aspirations, the Foundation seeks to "Replace Hate with Understanding, Compassion & Acceptance" through its varied education, outreach and advocacy programs. So, for the cost of 89¢, you can get an exceptional song, and support love, not hate. You can purchase it at LaLa, the link is here.
Thanks for the post, Howard!
ReplyDeleteThey make things too easy for musicians online these days. We didn't expect it to appear anywhere until next week at the very earliest. Just this morning it showed up on Amazon as well.
We'll be updating our own site in the next couple of days with the specific details, but we just wanted to confirm that it doesn't matter where you buy "Virginia" (Lala, Amazon, iTunes): all of the proceeds from the sale of the single will be made as a donation to the Matthew Shepard Foundation.
Thanks again, both for listening and for helping us get the word out!
A&M
1st: I love this music. Thank you & I am glad to contribute by buying this.
ReplyDelete2nd: I am a big fan of the newspaper column from early in the 20th century. I never thought I would see it referenced again:
http://www.donmarquis.com/archy/index.html
A&M, thanks for stopping by! And thanks for specifying the music will all go to such a great charity!
ReplyDeleteStephen, Glad you love it, I do too. Lee and Alex make great music. And if you knew them, it wouldn't surprise you at all. Smart, sexy and talented, those boys.