Draining D.I.Y. (Pt. 3) with Bedbug and the TRASH STARS! Compilation
“I wanted to help organize this comp. with Wormbrain for two very important reasons,” songwriter Dylan Citron of Boston-based bedroom pop project Bedbug said of both contributing to and co-curating the TRASH STARS! compilation released today. “I thought it would be funny, and I was listening to Bladee nonstop.”
“It's corny, but Bladee is one of the best modern examples of a musician totally transcending genre.” Reflecting on the Swedish artist’s reach and influence, Citron told Wormbrain quite succinctly, “He's just Bladee. It’s not esoteric for the sake of itself — even when it's obtuse, it's heartfelt.”
Fittingly, and like most sincerely “good” things, the compilation was spawned by a half-hearted reply from Bedbug’s account to a passing tweet from Aaron Powell of Fog Lake (see also: Fog Lake’s “Hero of my Story 3style3” on W.W) about covering Bladee. Roughly half a year later, Wormbrain turned the bit of jest into fruition with Citron’s contribution and co-conspiration by collecting a dozen tribute tracks from across indie music scenes including two different selections as both the classic emo pop rock band Bedbug and its emo rap incarnation Deadxbug, alongside covers from Field Medic, Pictoria Vark, Swim Camp, and others.
All proceeds from TRASH STARS! following initial release will be donated to Student Immigrant Movement, which is the only undocumented youth-led organization in Massachusetts, at the suggestion of Citron and others.
“Student Immigrant Movement rules!” Citron told Wormbrain, about SIM.
“They stop deportations of students and advocate for immigrant student rights, fighting for college, and social program eligibility, etc. Immigrant students have a huge barrier, they can't get FAFSA or financial aid, because it requires a social security number, they also can't pass any background checks for any sort of profession or licensure — so, SIM works to help students overcome those barriers.”
“He’s just Bladee. It’s not esoteric for the sake of itself — even when it’s obtuse, it’s heartfelt.”
Photo courtesy of the artist.
W.W: What is Wormbrain?
DC: I'm sure we'll figure it out soon!
W.W: Thank you for sharing with Wormbrain.
Wormbrain World’s first benefit compilation TRASH STARS! is out today, 12/31/21 everywhere via the W.W Bandcamp to benefit Student Immigrant Movement.
