Publisher’s note: this is the unedited press release. It’s quite clear.

The Dears will be donating proceeds from every merch sale at these residencies to Montreal City Mission and War Child. “Some of the items are rare, might be the wrong size, while some things are out of print and may be sold at ridiculous prices. But this is not just about raising money. People hurt everywhere, all the time, and in so many ways. Essentially, this is what we sing about and sometimes singing just ain’t enough. By taking some of this stuff off our hands, hopefully folks will remember who they’re helping and why,” says the band of the endeavor.

The Dears’ upcoming album, slated for an early 2011 release, is a welcome return to form for the band that won the adoration of countless critics and fans. Praised for their “themes of love, isolation and racism while delivering instantly accessible melodies” by Rolling Stone, Filter Magazine applauded their “astoundingly complex, deeply evocative pop.” Pitchfork congratulated the band for their “earnestness decidedly lacking in today’s indie landscape” while Complex raved “The Dears split the difference between morose and uplifting melodic rock better than anyone since the Smiths.” Penthouse simply said The Dears are “a must-listen for fans of introspective British rock.”

The new record and touring lineup also marks the return of guitarists Patrick Krief and Rob Benvie, early-era bassist Roberto Arquilla as well as newcomer Jeff Luciani on drums. In addition, of course, to singer Murray Lightburn and keyboardist Natalia Yanchak. The band mentions that “we’ve seen many line-up changes, but this one is quite special. Some of our relationships, and friendships, go back over 10 years. The result has been powerful and chilling, like some cosmic design intent on blowing you away.”

To Purchase Tickets:

Toronto: http://www.ticketweb.ca (on sale Friday, July 23rd)
Montreal: www.etix.com (on sale Friday, July 23rd)
New York: www.ticketfly.com (on sale Saturday, July 24th)

Residency Tour Dates:

September 29        Montreal, QB        Pop Montreal @ Santa Cruz Church
September 30        Montreal, QB        Pop Montreal @ Santa Cruz Church
October 1               Montreal, QB        Pop Montreal @ Santa Cruz Church

October 13        Toronto, ON        The Garrison
October 14        Toronto, ON        The Garrison
October 15        Toronto, ON        The Garrison

November 3        Brooklyn, NY        Knitting Factory
November 4        Brooklyn, NY        Knitting Factory

About Montreal City Mission:

For over 100 years, the Montreal City Mission (MCM) has embraced a social
justice model of community action while responding to the challenges of
poverty and social exclusion.  From refugee assistance programs to youth and
green programs, MCM’s programs seek to support and empower Montrealers in
need as they make the journey from exclusion to community.
www.montrealcitymission.org

About War Child:

War Child works with children all over the world to reduce the effects of
poverty, provide an education and to defend and promote child rights.  War
Child works to help children whose lives have been torn apart by conflict,
and provide them with the means to build a brighter future.  War Child works
with local people and organizations in Afghanistan, Darfur (Sudan), Uganda,
Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Georgia and
Haiti. www.warchild.ca

Last year, Björk and Dirty Projectors played a benefit show put together by Brandon Stosuy of Stereogum. A mutual admiration resulted in the recording of the EP Mount Wittenberg Orca. The 7 song EP benefits the National Geographic Society Oceans Project — a worthwhile charity in these times if ever one existed.

You can purchase the full 7-track recordings at mountwittenbergorca.com for a minimum $7 donation and maximum donation of $100.

Dirty Projectors + Björk- All We Are by DominoRecordCo

Juan MacLean will DJ a benefit show in memory and in tribute to friend, band mate and legendary drummer Jerry Fuchs, who passed away in an unfortunate accident in the early hours of November 8. The show will take place November 20 at San Francisco’s Mezzanine (444 Jessie Street). The show will also feature a DJ set with Parallels. A donation will be made to the Fuchs Family.

Jerry was a celebrated drummer, having recorded and toured with The Juan MacLean, Holy Ghost!, Maserati, !!! and Turing Machine. Born December 30, 1974 in Marietta, Georgia, he attended the University of Georgia and moved to New York in 1995, quickly becoming a beloved fixture on the city’s music scene. When not touring, Jerry worked as a graphic designer for publications like Chunklet and Entertainment Weekly. Juan MacLean describes Jerry as “the absolute best at what he did” and a “supportive and loyal friend.”

The Juan MacLean has released a video of the extended version of “Happy House,” featuring some of Jerry’s best work. Shot at the Double Door in Chicago on June 16 of this year, the song is a crowd and critic favorite, having been named one of Pitchfork’s 100 Best Tracks of 2008. At nearly 20 minutes long, the performance is a testament to Jerry’s talent and dedication to his craft.

TJM and DFA also just released “Happy House 2 x 12″ with remixes by a wide range of dance music’s all-stars: Chateau Flight, Paul Woolford, Will Saul & Mike Monday, and VHS Or Beta. Lazaro Casanova, an up-and-coming artist and DJ from Miami, who turned in the highest-rated remix of the last Juan Maclean single, has been invited back once again.

The video of “Happy House” appears after the jump.

The Juan MacLean – Happy House (Live @ The Double Door) from The Belmont Sessions on Vimeo.

Starting this Thursday, November 5th through November 15th, Saucony Originals will be auctioning off a sneaker signed by more than fifty of indie music’s favorite artists on eBay’s charity auction house MissionFish.org. Proceeds will benefit Saucony’s Run for Good Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to combating childhood obesity.

Shoe stampers include Yo La Tengo, The Walkmen, The National, Jesus Lizard, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, M83, Frightened Rabbit, Pharoahe Monch, Killer Whales, and a slew of who’s who artists on the indie music stage. Signatures were collected on a size 15 Saucony Originals Jazz sneaker this past summer while Saucony Originals was helping Pitchfork Music Festival revelers set any world record they wanted with the Universal Record Database.

(for further information visit the Saucony Facebook page.)

Click here to be taken directly to the auction.

In addition to being able to purchase a special compilation filled with one-offs and unreleased recordings by great artists, a charity auction is being held on eBay with some phenomenal one-of-a-kind prizes (be a music CEO at Beggars US for a day sound interesting?). You can read further details on all the great things you can win after the jump, plus a listing of the tracks you can get on the Indepenents Day 08 compilation — but remember, the compilation is only available for a limited, 72-hour period of July 4-6 at a special price.

Independents’ Day fires up in the United States on Friday July 4th! In conjunction with the digital album, there will also be an online auction running July 4th thru July 13th, with items for sale including memorabilia from artists like Evanescence and Nickleback, as well as incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences including:

- Play Guitar Hero with Roadrunnner artists Dragonforce! Dragonforce is the band behind the track widely considered to be the most challenging in the game’s history, “Through The Fire and The Flames.”
- Be a music CEO for a day! One winner will get to shadow Beggars Group US CEO Lesley Bleakley for a day, operating one of the biggest indie labels in the country.
- Spend “A Day with Dave!” One winner gets a personally guided noon – midnight adventure through the artistic spots of Portland, OR with Dave Allen, founding member of legendary punk icons Gang of Four. Dave is an enthusiastic Portland resident, and will share his favorite haunts with the lucky winner. This package includes airfare and one night of hotel.
- See Ani DiFranco! One winner gets a pair of tickets to see Ani DiFranco in concert July 16th at New York City’s United Palace, as well as a special opportunity to attend sound check before the show.
- Win a Ringo Starr autographed drum head.
- Score a Joan Jett specially autographed skate deck.
- Have a Jam Session with hiphop/Jazz act Ozomatli.

and so much more….check out the US auction which goes live late night on July 3rd.

eBay Auction Link:

http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=independents-day-charity-auction

Proceeds raised by this event will be split between A2IM, WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network), the Recording Academy’s charity MusiCares, and a special emerging country fund that supports those working to create their own independent label groups in regions like the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

Tracklist (get the whole thing for only $2.99!!!)

* Ani DiFranco – Alla This
* Atmosphere – You (Live Acoustic Version)
* Black Milk feat. Fat Ray – Take Control
* Busy Signal – Unknown Number
* Charlatans UK - Murder
* Christian Scott – Rewind That (DJ Logic Remix)
* Dave Barnes – On A Night Like This
* Devendra Banhart – Don’t Look Back in Anger
* Dr. Dog – The Ark
* Elizabeth Cook – El Camino
* Feeder – Public Image
* Frank Black – The Seus (Charles Norman Remix)
* Hamell on Trial – Halfway
* Hanson – Your Illusion (Live)
* James Hunter – Don’t Do Me No Favours
* Jeff Hanson - Your Only Son
* Jim Lauderdale – You Loved Me Too
* Khia – Geeked Up
* Living Legends – That Looks Good (Jones Remix)
* Pacifika – Me Cai (The Da Cruz Ragga Mix Radio Edit)
* Slipknot – Purity
* The Donnas – Wasted Life
* The Mighty Underdogs (feat. Gift of Gab and Chali 2na) – War Walk
* Tift Merritt – Tell Me Something True
* Tokyo Police Club – In a Cave (Great Lenin’s Ghost vs. Octopus Rex Remix)

The album will be available for a very limited 72-hour window (July 4-6) at Amazon, eMusic, ZUNE, A2IM.org, www.independentsday08.com, and participating member websites.