Stream new True Names trans youth benefit compilation, featuring Squirrel Flower, 2nd Grade

On Friday, Worry Bead Records will release True Names, a benefit compilation for the Trans Youth Emergency Project. It features songs from artists such as Squirrel Flower, 2nd Grade, Remember Sports, 22° Halo, Pink Navel, and more. And ahead of its release tomorrow, you can hear the full compilation album in its entirety—give it a stream below and make sure to put it on your Bandcamp wishlist for tomorrow, which just happens to be a Bandcamp Friday, meaning the site doesn’t take a cut from the sales. It’s a great set of indie rock, folk and pop songs, all rare or unreleased and it’s for a great cause, so pay what you can once it goes live.

Worry Bead Records’ Matt Connor, who also performs in Tuxis Giant, released a statement about the compilation:

“The title, ‘True Names,’ was inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea series. In the world of Earthsea, True Names are sacred, holding incredible and transformative power. To know your True Name is to know yourself. And to share your True Name is an extreme act of vulnerability and courage.  

States across the country are targeting trans youth by restricting their access to life-affirming care. With this comp, we’re raising funds for the Trans Youth Emergency Project, which helps families of trans youth find healthcare providers, travel to appointments, and pay for medication.

True Names was a big team effort. The songs—all unreleased b-sides, demos, and live cuts—were collected from our music communities in Boston, New York, Philly and beyond. With this comp, we hope to do our part in supporting TYEP’s important work.”

True Names: A Benefit for Trans Youth tracklist:

1. Pink Navel – “interview (angel of youth)”
2. Salt – “Burn Me (demo)”
3. King’s Evil – “Villain Story”
4. Remember Sports – “Cut Fruit (Live in Montreal)”
5. 22° Halo – “Reward”
6. Night Moth – “Colder (demo)”
7. dust from 1000 yrs – “big moon”
8. Squirrel Flower – “Intheskatepark (demo)”
9. Really Great – “To Be With You (demo)”
10. Michael Cormier-O’Leary – “M-F”
11. Trash Girl – “Wind is Shaking”
12. Léna Bartels – “My Place (demo)”
13. Tuxis Giant – “House by the Sea (demo)”
14. Fraternal Twin – “Tepid Water Soap (demo)”
15. Eleanor Elektra – “The Word”
16. Strong Fenn – “World’s Biggest Ashtray (demo)”
17. (T-T)b – “Sugar in the Raw (demo)”
18. 2nd Grade – “You’re a Yo-Yo”