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We’ll pass along the rest of the information soon, but for now we wanted to announce the most relevant details because we’re excited (and tired of keeping it a secret): Björk and Dirty Projectors are joining forces for a one-time benefit show Friday, May 8th, at 8PM at Housing Works Bookstore & Café (126 Crosby Street) in Manhattan. Tickets go on sale 4/1 are on sale now. The night’s part of Housing Works’ “Live From Home” series, and all proceeds go to Housing Works. Stereogum is a proud sponsor.

If you’re unfamiliar with Housing Works, it’s a non-profit that, since 1990, has provided services for homeless men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS. I’m a Housing Works Board Member. I’m also clearly one of the folks who writes the words at Stereogum. I knew Björk enjoyed Dirty Projectors’ work and, if you recall, Dirty Projectors covered “Hyperballad” for Stereogum Presents… Enjoyed: A Tribute to Björk’s Post where he said:

I think what I took from Björk when I was obsessed with her in high school was her way with deconstruction. She writes these classic melodies but breaks them apart so that it’s sort of up to you as the listener to put them back together. The song ends up meaning so much more because of the effort you have to give to it. Out of a perverse habit, I tried to do the opposite with this recording: present the song like the unbroken stone it might have been. But I think I probably just arrived at a new deconstruction: Björk’s essence remains elusive!

With that in mind, I approached the artists and asked them if they’d do a show together at the Housing Works space. What I didn’t expect was this: In a brand new collaboration, Björk will perform music composed for her by David Longstreth. The suite, written for five voices, will pair Björk with Longstreth and Projectors’ Amber Coffman, Angel Deradoorian, and Haley Dekle. The band will also perform material from Dirty Projectors’ oeuvre, using only voices and one acoustic guitar. There will be two openers, Kurt Weisman chosen by Longstreth and Ólöf Arnalds chosen by Björk.

We’ll announce said additional information soon. For now, remember, tickets officially go on sale 4/1 at Housing Works’ website, but we’re giving you guys first go, so head to the site now! After 4/1, physical tickets will be available at the Housing Works bookstore on Crosby Street as well as a couple Brooklyn locations TBA. The venue fits 300 people, so you’ll have to be quick on the draw. You can get more details at the previously linked Housing Works site.

Comments (15)
  1. inky  |   Posted on Mar 26th, 2009 0

    Great idea, great cause, looks fantastic…but $100-$400 per ticket is just too much for me :(

  2. Congrats to Brandon & Housing Works. This is gonna be insane.

  3. Jon  |   Posted on Mar 26th, 2009 0

    This is absolute genius, I really hope it comes on CD for people who can’t travel to America in time

  4. Awesome Brandon.

  5. Brian  |   Posted on Mar 26th, 2009 0

    Bjork is a hack…

  6. chrischke  |   Posted on Mar 26th, 2009 0

    the new dirty projectors album is going to be album of the year.

  7. Not real into Bjork, I know, shoot me. I second the AOTY for Dirty Projectors, can’t wait.

  8. reader  |   Posted on Mar 27th, 2009 0

    nice work, Brandon.

  9. nick  |   Posted on Mar 27th, 2009 0

    holy shit. this is a milestone for the ‘gum. great work, brandon.

  10. What? Holy fuck. You just sent me over the edge here.
    Would it have been possible for you guys to make a greater benefit concert? Maybe if it was Bjork/Grizzly Bear.

  11. Jon  |   Posted on Mar 27th, 2009 0

    Dirty Projectors is just fine, thanks

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