Worry Bead Records Supporting Trans Youth

Queens-based independent label Worry Bead Records brings artists like Remember Sports, Squirrel Flower, 2nd Grade, and Pink Navel together for True Names, a benefit compilation to raise funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project. Digital pre-orders are live with a single from 22° Halo.

“The title, True Names, was inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. In the world of Earthsea, True Names are sacred, holding incredible and transformative power. To know your True Name is to know yourself. And to share your True Name is an extreme act of vulnerability and courage.

States across the country are targeting trans youth by restricting their access to life-affirming care. With this comp, we're raising funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families of trans youth find healthcare providers, travel to appointments, and pay for medication.

True Names was a big team effort. The songs—all unreleased B-sides, demos, and live cuts—were collected from our music communities in Boston, New York, Philly and beyond. With this comp, we hope to do our part in supporting TYEP’s important work.” – Matt O’Connor (Worry Bead Records / Tuxis Giant)

Worry Bead Records is a family-run, community-oriented DIY label based in Queens, NY. It's run by Matt O'Connor (of Tuxis Giant) and their partner, Jenny Ruenes.

https://worrybeadrecs.bandcamp.com/album/true-names-a-benefit-for-trans-youth

Track List:

Pink Navel - “interview (angel of youth)”

Salt - “Burn Me (demo)”

King's Evil - “Villain Story”

Remember Sports - “Cut Fruit (Live in Montreal)”

22° Halo - “Reward”

Night Moth - “Colder (demo)”

dust from 1000 yrs - “big moon”

Squirrel Flower - “Intheskatepark (demo)”

Really Great - “To Be With You (demo)”

Michael Cormier-O'Leary - “M-F”

Trash Girl - “Wind is Shaking”

Léna Bartels - “My Place (demo)”

Tuxis Giant - “House by the Sea (demo)”

Fraternal Twin - “Tepid Water Soap (demo)”

Eleanor Elektra - “The Word”

Strong Fenn - “World's Biggest Ashtray (demo)”

(T-T)b - “Sugar in the Raw (demo)”

2nd Grade - “You're a Yo-Yo”

In December, Brooklyn’s Ciao Malz (aka Malia DelaCruz) released her label debut, the Safe Then Sorry EP, which was a surprise end-of-year indie hit, thanks to significant press acclaim. While a follow-up is still a while away, Ciao Malz has issued a cover of Elliott Smith’s ‘Clementine’ from his classic 1995 self-titled second album. Coincidentally, it was a cover of Frog’s “You Know I’m Down”) which introduced her to the Audio Antihero label, and saw her join Frog on their roster late last year.

“‘Clementine’ is probably my favorite Elliott Smith song. The way he picks up on a bartender singing and turns it into something so eerie and beautiful is wild. The harmonies are something I’ve always wanted to nail, and I love experimenting with them when I’m recording. And yeah, sometimes it’s just fun to channel Elliott Smith for a while.”

‘Clementine’ isn’t the only new recording from Ciao Malz this month. Having already recorded radio sessions for WVKR (accompanied on pedal steel by Hefner’s Jack Hayter), East Village Radio, BFF.FM, and numerous others, her most high-profile session to date just aired via NPR-affiliate WFUV in the Bronx. Without the expanded lineup of guitarist James Chrisman (Sister.) and drummer Felix Walworth (Florist / Told Slant), DelaCruz performed solo acoustic versions of “Two Feet Tall” and “Gold Rush,” alongside an interview.