New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Oxfam) -
Music icon and
Crowded House frontman
Neil Finn has today announced a follow up to the acclaimed
Seven Worlds Collide project, and together with members of the original lineup and other artists, he will record an album of entirely new material in support of international development organization Oxfam.
'Seven years ago I invited a few friends and fellow musicians to do a special series of concerts in New Zealand under the banner Seven Worlds Collide. The concerts were an amazing experience for all of us and we are delighted to have found an opportunity to gather again, this time to expand the concept and the lineup too,' said Finn. 'What will make these sessions particularly meaningful is that all the proceeds of this recording will go to support the continuing great work of Oxfam International.'
Taking part from the original Seven Worlds Collide lineup will be Radiohead's Ed O'Brien and Phil Selway, guitar supremo Johnny Marr, founder of The Smiths and current member of US alternative rock innovators Modest Mouse, Soul Coughing bassist Sebastian Steinberg, songwriter and violinist Lisa Germano, and Liam Finn. Other artists joining the project include Jeff Tweedy, John Stirrat, Glenn Kotche and Pat Sansone from Wilco, and New Zealand songwriters Bic Runga and Don McGlashan. Behind the mixing desk will be master recording engineer Jim Scott. More names will be added to the lineup in the coming weeks.
'We are honored to be working with Neil and so many other talented and committed artists on this project, many of whom have supported Oxfam over a number of years,' said Oxfam New Zealand Executive Director Barry Coates. 'At a time when the number of people living in extreme poverty is growing, funds generated from this project will be urgently directed to those in need, providing opportunities and hope for a better future.'
The album will be recorded over the next few months in Auckland's Roundhead Studios and is due for release in 2009.
Like its predecessor, the project will also see a series of concerts featuring many of the artists included in the lineup. The shows will take place in Auckland early in the New Year. Details will be announced soon.
'Everyone is really excited about coming together again with a few new faces and extending the magic we created with Seven Worlds the first time round,' added Finn. 'With such an amazing group of people, I'm excited about the music we'll be making.'
