Bandcamp recently announced that they’ll be partnering with Stax Records for new Black Music Month celebrations.
The platform announced yesterday in a press release that it will reportedly make a live-streamed interview featuring recording artist Booker T. Jones and STAX publicist and Soulville Foundation founder Deanie Parker available.
The interview will reportedly be with host Martin Douglas of the podcast “Fresh off the Spaceship.”
Bandcamp will also be holding other events alongside eight other labels and artists. Along with listening parties for The Red Hot Org’s and Previous Industries’ latest albums, artists like jazz musician William Parker, multi-instrumentalist Laraaji, producer Georgia Anne Muldrow, Archie Shepp, Julius Eastman and Deem Spencer will all be holding interviews and events.
RSVP today for our week of events celebrating Black Music Month—including a livestreamed interview with @StaxRecords' @BookerTJones and Deanie Parker. https://t.co/U8YYmkMdIZ
— bandcamp (@Bandcamp) June 12, 2024
All events will be supported by a Juneteenth fundraiser. Considered to be the fourth annual fundraiser, Bandcamp will be raising money to donate to The Soulsville Foundation which seeks to preserve the history of the historic Stax Records. The foundation also funds various non-profits, music opportunities for children as well as a museum.
“Concord and Stax Records is proud to stand with Bandcamp to Celebrate Black Music Month and to raise money for the Soulsville Foundation,” said the Executive Vice President of Marketing for Concord, Jill Weindorf, per a statement. “The collective work of the Soulsville Foundation provides accredited educational opportunities, preserves the legacy of American Soul Music, and builds community in the city of Memphis, TN.”
First officially celebrated on June 7th, 1979, Black Music Month was helmed by the efforts of musician Kenny Gamble, media strategist Dyana Williams and radio DJ Ed Wright. Designed to celebrate Black musicians and to mobilize their power to gain control of their art, Black Music Month was officially recognized on June 6, 2000.
In honor of the month, multiple companies are celebrating Black musicians with NPR most recently announcing an all-women lineup for June’s “Tiny Desk.”
Legendary musician, Rock Hall member and “Queen of Funk,” Chaka Khan, most recently took to the desk, performing a 30-minute set. Performing all her hits from her five-decade career, Khan’s setlist included “Tell Me Something Good,” “Stay,” “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me,” “Sweet Thing,” “I’m Every Woman” as well as “Ain’t Nobody.”
“I hope people realize just how much Black women have contributed and have continued to contribute to music at large, they don’t get enough credit,” said host Bobby Carter per Vibe. “Like I said, Chaka Khan will never get enough credit. SWV will never get enough credit.”
