Following the passing of Sparklehorse founder Mark Linkous in 2010, fan Jessica Richardson was so moved she decided to create a tribute album in honor of him. After working with her producer husband Ted Richardson (Chiddy Bang, Portugal. The Man), the two decided any profits from the album would go towards efforts that addressed mental health, since it had been this which factored in to Linkous’ suicide.
Once word got out about their project, the Richardsons were encouraged by such institutions as Friends Hospital, the first mental health facility in the U.S., and the Scattergood Foundation, whose focus is on behavioral health. This helped lead to the founding of Box of Stars by the couple, and they’ve now joined with Marc Fuller of Edie Road Studio and producer Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT) to put together the official Mark Linous tribute album, Last Box of Sparklers.
The album is now 75 percent finished, as bands such as Phantogram, The Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev have contributed Sparklehorse covers thus far. Box of Stars reports that Portugal. The Man, The Joy Formidable and Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle will soon be recording for the album, as well, and to help finance its completion, the organization has begun an IndieGoGo crowd-funding campaign.
As Ted explains in the video below, Box of Stars hopes to bring more awareness to mental health, and plans to launch a PSA campaign and other support projects with the funds they raise above their goal.
Here also you can hear a sample of the album through Mark Lanegan’s cover:
Below is a look at the perks those donating to the Box of Stars IndieGoGo page will receive with their contributions – visit the official site for full details:
$20: Last Box of Sparklers download, plus bonus tracks
$30: Last Box of Sparklers 2-CD set
$35: T-shirt and album download
$40: Lossless version of the album
$50: Limited edition 2-LP vinyl set
$60: T-shirt and 2-CD set
$85: Hoodie and 2-CD set
$100: Signed Mercury Rev music
$150: Michael Motorcyle print
$175: Canvas tote bag with Last Box of Sparklers imprint, filled with many of the items already mentioned
$200: Flaming Lips FU Frog
$300: Mix/Master by Ted Richardson
$350: Mark Lanegan signed guitar
$400: Painting by Tiva Tiva’s Daniel de Jesús
$1,000: Bronze Patron; lifetime of digital downloads from Box of Stars, and listing of your name on website, in newsletter and in liner notes of Last Box of Sparklers
$2,500: Silver Patron; lifetime of digital downloads and CDs from Box of Stars, and listing of your name on website, in newsletter and in liner notes of Last Box of Sparklers
$5,000: Gold Patron; lifetime of digital downloads, CDs and vinyl from Box of Stars, 2 lifetime concert passes to Box of Stars shows, and listing of your name on website, in newsletter and in liner notes of Last Box of Sparklers
$10,000: Platinum Patron; lifetime of digital downloads, CDs and vinyl from Box of Stars, 2 lifetime concert passes to Box of Stars shows, entry into all Box of Stars events, and listing of your name on website, in newsletter and in liner notes of Last Box of Sparklers
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