Musicians unite to promote LGBT equality in Indiana

Dozens of musical acts, from Indiana and across North America, are contributing songs to a compilation album to raise funds for groups that promote LGBT equality in Indiana.

Indianapolis-based Joyful Noise Recordings is issuing "50 Bands & a Cat for Indiana Equality," a project inspired by the state's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

"RFRA was very disheartening to those of us who have worked to make Indianapolis a culturally relevant city," Joyful Noise founder Karl Hofstetter said. "The bill so entirely misrepresents everyone I know and love in this state. I felt like we had to do something to support our local community and show the outside world that this is not who we are."

High-profile acts Of Montreal, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Thurston Moore Band (led by Sonic Youth vocalist-guitarist Moore), David Yow (of Jesus Lizard), Tim Kinsella (of Joan of Arc) and Andrew Dost (of Fun) are part of the compilation.

Seventeen acts with strong Indiana ties contribute songs to "50 Bands & a Cat": Apache Dropout, Bonesetters, the Coke Dares, Houndmouth, Ko, Laura K. Balke, Lily and Madeleine, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, Mike Adams At His Honest Weight, Murder By Death, the Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Rodeo Ruby Love, Sedcairn Archives, Sleeping Bag, Son Lux, Thee Open Sex and We Are Hex.

For a $25 purchase price, "50 Bands & a Cat for Indiana Equality" includes a download of 51 songs plus a lathe-cut 7-inch record of one song of the buyer's choice. For instance, a buyer could select the Houndmouth song from the compilation and receive a hand-numbered single.

The cat referenced in the compilation's title is Bloomington-based Internet celebrity Lil Bub. Owned by Mike Bridavsky, a musician in the bands Memory Map and Push-Pull, Lil Bub is heard on one of the compilation's tracks.

In January, critically acclaimed hip-hop duo Run the Jewels previewed a remix of its "Run the Jewels 2" album featuring "vocals" from Lil Bub.

A note attributed to Lil Bub is posted at Joyful Noise's website for "50 Bands and a Cat for Indiana Equality":

"When planning my intergalactic journey to planet Earth, I specifically picked Indiana for my home because of its humbleness, hospitality, and the warmth and love of its people. Indiana is where I was rescued, it's where I found my family, and it's where I made my closest pals."

As originally passed in the Indiana General Assembly, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples. Supporters said the law is needed to protect those with strong religious beliefs from government overreach, but opponents said it would allow discrimination, particularly against gays, lesbians and transgender citizens.

On April 2, Gov. Mike Pence signed a revision that eliminates the potential erosion of LGBT protections in communities, including Indianapolis, that have local anti-discrimination ordinances protecting sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hofstetter said 100 percent of the compilation's net profits will be donated to Freedom Indiana, the ACLU of Indiana and Indy Pride.

The label will take orders through May 31, and downloads will be released on April 21.

For more information, visit JoyfulNoiseRecordings.com.

Call Star reporter David Lindquist at (317) 444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.