News

Free Download From The Bottletop Band

• 15th Dec 2010

UK charity Bottletop and clothing brand Fenchurch are proud to announce the launch of The Bottletop Band with a free download single ‘Fall of Rome’ – a collaboration featuring Carl Barât (Libertines), Drew McConnell (Babyshambles) and Andy Nicholson (ex-Arctic Monkeys). The track is the first taste of an album by a star studded musical collective that also includes Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys), Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Money Mark, VV Brown, Sam Sparro, Fink, Reverend and The Makers, Eliza Doolittle and Tim Burgess. All have worked with a range of Brazil’s finest musicians and producers over a two year period between London, Rio and LA, The record has been spearheaded by Brazilian producer Mario Caldato Junior; the man often referred to as the fourth Beastie Boy, having produced the majority of the group’s back catalogue.

'Fall Of Rome' can be downloaded from link now

‘Fall of Rome’ could well be the Eastwood soundtrack Ennio Morricone never wrote, propelled as it is by the dark, swirling surf guitars of Barât and Nicholson, which tip their hat at the reverb-heavy sounds of Dick Dale and his Del Tones. Throughout, Drew McConnell’s absent and beautiful vocals wash over urgent guitar hooks and the taut drumming of Seb Rochford (Acoustic Ladyland). Add to the billing the mixing credentials of Brazilian production maven Mario Caldato Junior and you have a charity collaboration which is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

The Bottletop charity supports grass roots education projects, empowering young people to take control of their lives. It reaches over 30,000 young people each year through its funding of initiatives in Brazil, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique and the UK, addressing key issues such as sexual and reproductive health, substance abuse and gender equality. Bottletop also designs and produces ethically sourced and environmentally friendly fashion products, generating employment in Salvador, Brazil, where they produce products which are retailed across Europe. Well-known fans of Bottletop accessories include Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Annie Lennox and Rachel Weisz.

The Bottletop Band is a means of raising funds and awareness through credible musical collaborations and is the latest musical initiative pioneered by the charity – it follows in the wake of the hugely successful Sound Affects album series. The first release, Africa was comprised of rare afrobeat remixed by Paul Oakenfold and Quantic amongst others. The follow-up Brazil includes exclusive remixes by Fatboy Slim and Jazzanova, and garnered praise from The Independent, Bob Geldof and Michael Eavis.