We applaud the efforts of\u00a0Hollie and Keith Kenniff<\/strong>, who worked swiftly and tirelessly to put together this initial round of a relief compilation, calling on friends and colleagues to contribute, mastering 33 tracks in an incredibly short window, and releasing it prior to the upcoming three-volume Nettwerk version, which will contain many extra tracks. \u00a0The need for donations is immediate, and all proceeds of Vol. 1\u00a0<\/em>will benefit We Are Moving the Needle and Give Directly, two frontline organizations which are helping the impacted families. \u00a0The Kenniffs also mention that those inspired to help animals in need may give directly to Pasadena Humane<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The quality of the release is incredibly high, a bonus for those listening and donating. \u00a0A large proportion of the artists included are familiar to our readers, big names including\u00a0Hammock, Rhian Sheehan, The Album Leaf,\u00a0<\/strong>dalot\u00a0<\/b>and of course the Kenniffs themselves in various guises. \u00a0Every one of the tracks is previously unreleased. \u00a0Hollie begins the album with her own \u201cLove, Lightness,\u201d an extremely encouraging piece that cools the listener like rain on a blaze. \u00a0The light wordless vocals and ambient chords are the aural equivalent of a relief effort. \u00a0A gorgeous new piano piece from Goldmund\u00a0<\/strong>(Keith), \u201cThe Great River\u201d flows like its namesake. \u00a0Late in the set, these two unite as Helios X Hollie Kenniff\u00a0<\/strong>for the eminently soothing \u201cSoft as Breath.\u201d \u00a0These tracks alone are worth the price of admission \u2013 that is, if one needs another reason to donate outside of the already-existing crisis. \u00a0Outside the household, even more beauty blossoms.<\/p>\n Keith Kenniff\u2019s mastering has given this diverse collection a unified tone, while the sequencing choices are sublime. \u00a0We\u2019re always eager for more Hammock\u00a0<\/strong>music, which makes the shoegaze timbres of \u201cDaka\u201d a treat. \u00a0The late emergence of strings brings the piece to a heartfelt close. \u00a0The stereo effects of Black Brunswicker<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cQuieting Landscapes\u201d recall those Santa Ana winds, which subside as the piece progresses. \u00a0After this, the peaceful piano of Patrik Berg Almkvisth <\/strong>arrives like a salve, the title \u201cWhat Happens Next\u201d a reminder of the work to come.<\/p>\n The emergence of acoustic guitar midway into\u00a0Clem Leek<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cAltadena\u201d offers clarity within the haze, a timely metaphor. \u00a0More\u00a0<\/strong>Eaze\u00a0<\/b>offers one of the set\u2019s most distinctive tracks, as \u201cThe One\u201d is filled with sonic crinkles, electronic orchestral timbres and an impression of new life. \u00a0The feeling extends into Alexandra Hamiliton-Ayres<\/strong>\u2018 \u201cWax Hymn,\u201d which glistens and glows. \u00a0Vol. 1<\/em> seems to brighten as it progresses, not with the light of fire, but the light of hope. \u00a0We are heartened to hear new music from Rhian Sheehan<\/strong>, as it has been so long since the New Zealand composer\u2019s last album; \u201cBefore\u201d is wistful and tender, its piano notes providing a feeling of hiraeth.<\/p>\n The album\u2019s most compelling piece comes from Haruhisa Tanaka<\/strong>. \u00a0\u201cInori\u201d (\u201cPrayer\u201d) is filled with wind chimes, and does indeed seem like a prayer, as well as a reassurance. \u00a0Perhaps coincidentally, the artist\u2019s latest release is titled \u201cRelief Pt. 2.\u201d \u00a0The sound of readjustment, birds returning to build new nests, is heard at the end of dalot<\/b>\u2018s \u201cdusk,\u201d drawing a line back to those in Cat Tyson Hughes<\/strong>\u2018 \u201cPerennials.\u201d \u00a0In similar fashion, chimes and the flapping of wings populate Robot Koch<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cBloom,\u201d which sings of a spring both physical and emotional; late in the set, Baths<\/strong>\u2018 \u201cAuto Damien\u201d invites everyone to dance, in hopes that such times will return.<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t mention everybody, and soon, when Nettwerk releases the expanded edition, there will be more. \u00a0But we can say this ~ Hollie and Keith and every artist involved deserve our admiration for looking inside themselves and finding the desire to help. \u00a0We hope that you will be part of this incredible relief effort as well. \u00a0(Richard Allen)<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/acloserlisten.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/cover-8.jpeg?w=300\")
<\/a>As of today, three blazes are still burning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, two weeks to the day after the start of the devastating wildfires. \u00a0Spread by Santa Ana winds that reached 100 mph (160 km\/h), the fires have so far resulted in the evacuation of 205,000 people, the death of 28, the burning of 63 square miles and the loss of 12,400 buildings and homes. \u00a0These losses are spread across all social classes; fire shows no favoritism.<\/p>\n