VA - Light in the Attic & Friends (2023)

For more than 20 years, Light in the Attic has shined a spotlight on some of music’s most unique – and often forgotten – voices. But reviving these long-out-of-print recordings is only half of the process. “We believe that an essential component of archival work, aside from simply honoring the music, is to seek ways in which to bring fresh perspectives, context, and reverence to the original artists and their work,” says LITA Founder and Co-Owner, Matt Sullivan. Thus, LITA’s acclaimed 7” vinyl and digital singles Cover Series was born, in which contemporary acts pay homage to their favorite LITA artists and songs. Spanning more than a decade, a handful of these sought-after recordings have previously been issued as limited-edition 45s, while nearly a dozen tracks are brand-new recordings. Now, all twenty of these inspired tributes will be available together for the very first time as a special limited-edition 2-LP set, titled *_Light in the Attic & Friends_* ‒ being released exclusively for Record Store Day’s annual Black Friday event, taking place on November 24th at participating independent retailers.

From Charles Bradley & The Menahan Street Band covering Detroit singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez and Mac DeMarco performing a song by Japanese icon Haruomi Hosono, to Iggy Pop & Zig Zags honoring funk queen Betty Davis, and Ethan & Maya Hawke covering country great Willie Nelson, these performances bridge the gap between generations, languages, and musical traditions. “Many musicians whom we’ve reissued had to make huge sacrifices in their day, yet most never saw fame nor were they appreciated on a larger scale until much later in life,” adds Sullivan. “Each offering is so much more than just a cover; it is a tribute to the unwavering human spirit of the personal sacrifice each artist forged through song.”

Tracklist
01. Charles Bradley - I'll Slip Away (feat. The Menahan Street Band)
02. Sweet Tea - After Laughter (Comes Tears) (feat. Erika Wennerstrom & Alex Maas)
03. Vashti Bunyan - How Could You Let Me Go (feat. Devendra Banhart)
04. Barbara Lynn - We'll Understand
05. Badbadnotgood - Key To Love (Is Understanding)
06. Iggy Pop - If I'm In Luck I Might Get Picked Up (feat. Zig Zags)
07. Mozart Estate - Low Life
08. Leslie Winer - Once I Was (feat. Maxwell Sterling)
09. Ethan Hawke - We Don't Run (feat. Maya Hawke)
10. Gold Leaves - Won't You Tell Your Dreams
11. Swamp Dogg - The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea (feat. John C. Reilly, Jenny Lewis & Tim Heidecker
12. Silas Short - You've Become A Habit
13. Mac DeMarco - Honey Moon
14. Cameron Bethany - Send It On
15. Roedelius - Le Chant des Fauves
16. Mark Lanegan - Same Old Man
17. Angel Olsen - Something On Your Mind
18. Mary Lattimore - Blink
19. Acetone - Plain As Your Eyes Can See
20. Steve Gunn - Rabbit Hills (feat. Bridget St. John)