Thirty One is a collection of tracks from Manchester UK, featuring rare and exclusive songs from both established and emerging acts.
The album has been curated and compiled by DJ/Writer Dave Haslam for The Factory Foundation. Thirty One also features art direction from Peter Saville (in collaboration with LOVE Creative) and photography from Thomas Cockram. All profits from the release will go to CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) a registered charity with its roots in Manchester. The ambition of Thirty One is to raise sufficient funds to enable CALM to run their national freephone helpline service: 0800 58 58 58 every night of the week, every day of the year. The helpline is currently open from 5pm-midnight on Saturday, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Thirty One is an amazing snapshot capturing the undeniable quality of the Manchester music scene. It features brand new material by artists with careers stretching back to the post-punk era.
EXCLUSIVE TRACKS INCLUDE:
- ELBOW Lippy Kids (Live from Pinkpop- an exclusive UK release)
- NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Let The Lord Shine A Light On Me (from the band’s second single)
- I AM KLOOT Bigger Wheels (reworked exclusively for Thirty One)
- EVERYTHING EVERYTHING Carry Me Home (Gloworm Cover)
- DURRUTI COLUMN Requiem Away (re-mastered from FAC244)
- JEZ KER Reason I Feel Like An Alien (a stripped back version of the track from A Certain Ratio’s bassist/vocalist)
Other tracks come from established acts such as Delphic and Mr Scruff, the inimitable psychedelic songwriter Jim Noir and bright new hopes Airship. Thirty One also features BBC 6 Music favorites Plank! and a remix of Manchester stalwarts The Whip’s “Secret Weapon”. It is an album much like the city from which it originates: rich in musical variety. It ranges from the bass heavy sounds of Murkage, to the delicate stylings of Sara Lowes and the stunning, original new talent of Ruby Ann Patterson. All of the songs have been donated by the artists for Thirty One, which is not just a compilation reflecting successful music-making in the city, but presents one of the highest quality charity albums of recent years.
Silence about CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) was set up to reduce the high suicide rate amongst men under 35. Suicide is currently the single biggest killer of young men in the UK. It is a campaign and charity targeting young men with a helpline, magazine and online community, but CALM listens to anyone who needs help or support. CALM was originally launched as a pilot scheme in Manchester in 1997 with the support of Tony Wilson, who went on to become a founding trustee of the charity in 2006 and actively encouraged the establishment of the charity.
A little from those involved and Antony H Wilson
“I am not a stranger to suicide, having lost my cousin James at the age of 29 in this way and then his mum, my aunty, who took her life 18 months later, unable to cope with the grief. When I then found out that suicide is the single biggest killer of young men in the country, I was moved to do something positive and practical. Thirty One is the result of that. I am proud that this album shows the breadth and depth of Manchester’s artists and I am equally proud that the money and awareness raised will support CALM to continue tackling one of the most important issues of our time.”
Esther O’Callaghan OBE, Founder, The Factory Foundation
“Picking and collating these Thirty One songs has given me much pleasure, and the fact that Manchester’s creative health can directly serve to improve the psychological health of the city is a massive thing for me”.
Dave Haslam, Curator, Thirty One
“Thirty One is beautifully conceived and produced in the tradition of Factory”
Peter Saville, 2012
“CALM does essential work in making sure that young men have help, advice and information around suicide and depression. I am especially pleased to support an organisation that Tony Wilson was involved in. In memory of Tony Wilson and Ian Curtis.”
Jez Kerr (A Certain Ratio), Thirty One artist
“I’ve obviously seen it close up with my own beloved lead singer taking his life so tragically in 1980. Then it seemed unique and specially awful; my work with CALM has shown me that these tragedies are all too common, almost everyday; and in so many cases all for the lack of someone on the other end of a phone line.”
A. H. Wilson, Factory Records, CALM Trustee
“I can’t wait to see Thirty One released. CALM’s link with Manchester and music dates back to Tony Wilson in 1997 so its fantastic to see this support for the charity and for young men from Manchester’s rich music base. Manchester, as ever, comes up trumps”.
Thirty One Album released 12/3/12
Released on The Factory Foundation in aid of the charity CALM
Pre-order available at www.thirtyonesongs.com from 13/2/12
Limited edition vinyl available exclusively from: www.townsend-records.co.uk
