Build Art Make Change’s benefit compilation, Contra-ICE: Vol. 1 ICE OUT, is available today via SoundsGood Records. This hodgepodge of comedy, music, spoken word, and so much more, was curated by BAMC’s founder Dali Colorado, and made to raise funds for Unión del Barrio and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).
The album will have an official launch party tomorrow, October 3rd in Los Angeles at La Cita at 336 S. Hill St., L.A., 90013. The show will feature music and comedy just like the album, with performances by David J, Fishbone, Los Abandoned, Gretchen Parlato, Uli Bella (Ozomatli), Frankie Quiñones, Richard Montoya, Lalo Alcaraz, and more.
Lalo Alcaraz is the director of Contra-ICE and acclaimed cartoonist. About the album he explained, “artists, musicians, performers, and decent people from all walks of life are pushing back against the authoritarianism we are feeling in our own country. Contra-ICE is one expression of that. Through art, humor, and creativity, we are using free expression to remind people what is at stake and to show how culture itself can be a form of resistance.”
Contra-ICE is a project made by Build Art Make Change to raise proceeds for two beneficiaries: National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) who works towards “improving the lives of day laborers, migrants, and low-wage workers nationally by building leadership and power among those who face injustice so they can challenge inequality and expand labor, civil, and political rights for all”, and Unión Barrio, “a people’s organization in Los Angeles that promotes and defends the human rights, democracy, and class interests of la raza in the United States.”
Contra-ICE describe themselves as a “collective of musicians and artists uniting as a creative response to the inhumane treatment of people and communities terrorized by U.S. Immigration agents” founded by Dali Colorado.
The first single from the album was a cover of DJ Snake and Justin Bieber’s song “Let Me Love You” by Kathleen Hanna with Ad-Rock, Money Mark, Fredo Ortiz, and Frank Figueroa.
Hanna said about the track “it’s not often you get to play music with your favorite people while working with a grassroots organization like Contra-ICE. They are passionately fighting against fascism and white supremacy, which is something none of us can afford to ignore. Mario Caldato Jr. (Beastie Boys) produced our song which was a dream come true for me. Thank you so much to Contra-ICE for making this happen and allowing me to represent what we collectively stand for.”
The entire album is now on sale digitally and on CD. There is also be a limited number of vinyl copies, with a selection of tracks from the record (vinyl track list), and a premium vinyl accompanied by a print signed by Alcaraz and other compilation artists available for purchase at the launch party tomorrow at La Cita.
You can purchase the digital album, CD, Contra-ICE t-shirts, or limited vinyl at the BAMC website here.
By Antonio Villaseñor-Baca