FLOOD MAGAZINE LAUNCHES GIMME SHELTER: SONGS FOR LA FIRE RELIEF
FLOOD Magazine—in partnership with Obey, Good Neighbor Music, and Alliance Entertainment—announces Gimme Shelter: Songs for LA Fire Relief, a double LP compilation featuring 18 rare and previously unreleased tracks from Elliott Smith, Rilo Kiley, The Flaming Lips, Norah Jones, Local Natives, Chromeo, Dawes, CSS, J Mascis, and more.
The album features original artwork by Shepard Fairey, with 100% of net proceeds benefiting Los Angeles wildfire recovery and housing relief initiatives. It is available nationally at Urban Outfitters on unique orange translucent vinyl.
“Home is where the heart is. Our home is LA, and our hearts were shattered by the devastation of this year’s horrific fires in Altadena, Malibu, and Pacific Palisades,” said the FLOOD editorial team. “So many of our friends, neighbors, and comrades in the music and arts communities were impacted, and are still working toward a path to recovery. This record is both a tribute and a tangible contribution to those rebuilding their lives.”
A Soundtrack of Resilience
Highlights include Elliott Smith’s alternate version of “Angeles,” Norah Jones’ achingly beautiful rendition of “God Only Knows,” ”Rilo Kiley’s ode to LA “Let Me Back In,” a “freestyle remix” of “Cadavre Exquis” from Chino Moreno of Deftones’ ††† (Crosses) project, Local Natives performing “Lemon” in singer Taylor Rice’s backyard overlooking Altadena, and The Flaming Lips’ psychedelic take on “Good Vibrations.”
Several contributors were personally affected by the fires: Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes lost their homes and studio in Altadena, while Poolside’s Jeffrey Paradise lost his home in Pacific Palisades. Dawes’ “Time Spent in Los Angeles (for Altadena)”—recorded with Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton—and Poolside’s “Pull Together” with Satin Jackets both appear on the LP.
Jeffrey Paradise from Pooliside revealed, “The fire has been one of the hardest times for me. But the support from the community and friends has been one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. It’s an interesting dichotomy. Hard to think that we’re somehow almost a full year on and still picking up the pieces, though. That doesn’t get talked about as much. It’s why this LP is so important one year on. It underscores that the recovery effort is still going and will keep going.”
Taylor Griffin from Dawes stated, “It’s my belief that music can be healing. Even physically. The right song or the right collection can help pain be contextualized or processed or even moved on from. I love being a part of a release like this that makes healing its primary objective. Not to mention, to help raise a little money for those who need it. “
Nik Ewing from Local Natives said, “Like many in our community, we performed benefit concerts right after the LA fires. Watching our friends in Dawes at one of those concerts, who just lost everything, perform a stripped-down version of “Time Spent in Los Angeles” transform into a melancholic, but hopeful anthem, brought a tear to everyone’s eye while also saying “we got this.” We performed this version of “Lemon” overlooking Altadena before the fires. We are proud to be among LA legends and others contributing to this beautiful compilation, aiding in the long, long road to recovery and rebuilding from the widespread devastation.
The album culminates with a soul-stirring rendition of Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” by Quazar and the Bamboozled, led by Altadena Musicians co-founder Brandon Jay along with support from Rilo Kiley’s Pierre de Reeder, featuring dozens of musicians personally impacted by the fires—transforming the song’s literal “fighting fire with fire” lyrics into an anthem of resilience and renewal.
“I was so glad to be able to contribute to this,” Rilo Kiley’s de Reeder said. “Being able to help Brandon out and host so many fire-affected folks, bringing their talents together for a very cathartic recording of ‘Burning Down The House,’ was very special. Also happy that we were able to contribute a Rilo Kiley track as well.”
Amoeba Records Hollywood is hosting a release party today, December 16, at 5:00 PM, with the opportunity to win prizes courtesy of OBEY and Amoeba, along with playing the whole album. More details here.
Giving Back, Pressing Forward
All proceeds benefit the Gimme Shelter Collective, FLOOD’s nonprofit initiative supporting artists and communities affected by the wildfires, in partnership with Altadena Musicians, Instrumental Giving, and the California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund.
Production is supported by Levi Strauss & Co. Each LP is pressed as a sustainable EcoSonic recyclable record and will be available in multiple exclusive color configurations through Urban Outfitters, Amoeba Music, indie retailers, Barnes & Noble, and FLOOD Magazine.
FLOOD’s Tenth Anniversary Print Issue
With 252 pages in a 12″ x 12″ format, FLOOD’s 10th anniversary edition is the largest issue the team has ever produced, packed with dozens of incredible artists representing the past, present, and future of FLOOD’s editorial spectrum, while also looking back at key moments and events in the magazine’s history.
While they commemorate a decade of FLOOD, they are also celebrating 25 years of Gorillaz with a career-spanning cover interview with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett on their visionary project, along with insights from De La Soul and Little Dragon, and 16 pages of images from Gorillaz’ vaults. On the flip side of this issue’s Gorillaz cover is another act building their own magical universe: Miami-raised, LA-based duo Magdalena Bay. This marks the first of what will undoubtedly be many more magazine covers to come for them.
Throughout these pages, you’ll find reflections on FLOOD’s first 10 years: a decade of dynamic live photographs, their #1 albums from each year, and visual highlights from FLOODfest events, while they also turned the tables and asked 26 artists (including My Morning Jacket, Spoon, Lucy Dacus, Phantogram, Amyl and the Sniffers, Hot Chip, Blondshell, and many more) to write about the albums that moved them most during the FLOOD era so far. You’ll also find extensive interviews with Mac DeMarco, Lord Huron, Wolf Alice, Automatic, Bootsy Collins, and many more. Plus, Fred Armisen details his Perfect Day in LA, The Zombies’ Colin Blunstone breaks down each track on their classic Odessey and Oracle album, and Nation of Language details their favorite films of the past decade.
The issue also includes dozens of pages showcasing amazing artwork and photography, with features on the evocative photo work of actor Norman Reedus, legendary visual artist Cey Adams, the iconic punk and new wave photography of Michael Grecco, and the story behind Smithsonian artists Rigoberto A. González and Felipe Galindo being targeted by the Trump administration.
Available Now
The Gimme Shelter album is available now at floodmagazine.shop or bundle with FLOOD’s Tenth Anniversary Issue featuring Gorillaz and Magdalena Bay. FLOOD Magazine is available nationally at all Barnes & Noble stores or at floodmagazine.shop. Full details on FLOOD’s Tenth Anniversary Issue here.
Gimme Shelter: Songs for LA Fire Relief
Full Tracklist
Side One
Elliott Smith — “Angeles” (Waterfront Version)
Rilo Kiley — “Let Me Back In”
Local Natives — “Lemon” (Live in Taylor’s Backyard)
Dawes, Andrew Bird, Alan Hampton — “Time Spent in Los Angeles (for Altadena)”
Norah Jones — “God Only Knows” (Live at Brian Fest)
Side Two
Until the Ribbon Breaks — “I Dream a Highway”
Matt Pond PA ft. Anya Marina — “Heaven or Las Vegas”
Escape Artist Lovers — “Drowned in Blue”
J Mascis — “Say It On”
Flaming Lips — “Good Vibrations” (Live at Brian Fest)
Side Three
††† (Crosses) — “Cadavre Exquis” (††† Freestyle Remix)
Poolside & Satin Jackets — “Pull Together”
Chromeo — “Lost and Found” (Extended Version)
CSS — “Buffalo Stance”
Side Four
Les Savy Fav — “Sleepless in Silverlake” (Rebuilt)
Peter Matthew Bauer ft. Light Heat & Matt Barrick— “Flowers (2025)”
Daniel Brummel & Rachel Haden — “Going To A Town”
Quazar and the Bamboozled — “Burning Down the House”