Big Thief Release ‘Passional Relations’ EP To Benefit LA Fire Relief

Big Thief is a band known for its consistency in output and quality. Founders, Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek each continue to maintain active solo careers outside of the group, yet still managed to release two separate Big Thief studio LPs in 2019 only to follow them up with a double album in 2022. From the outside, the songwriting abilities of both Lenker and Meek seem as natural to them as breathing, as if the well could never run dry of ideas or inspiration. While I’m sure they might view that as an exaggeration of their talents and/or a reductive perception of their respective processes, the pair has proven adequately prolific over the project’s decade-long existence.

Not surprisingly, there are still Big Thief songs in the cut that have yet to see the light of day. Whether that’s due to them not feeling right for inclusion on an album, the band simply hasn’t gotten around to releasing them, or some other unexplained reason isn’t always clear, but unreleased recordings do surface from time to time. In May of last year, Lenker released the 6-song EP I Won’t Let Go Of Your Hand via Bandcamp with 100% of the profits going toward the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. Today, the collective band makes a similar gesture, offering a 5-song EP through their website as a means to raise money for Los Angeles fire relief efforts.

While Lenker‘s benefit EP consisted of songs “which were recorded in the moments they were written,” Big Thief‘s new Passional Relations EP is comprised of previously unreleased recordings. According to the press release, 4 of the songs were “recorded during sessions for their last album, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You (a version of “Zombie Girl” also appeared on band member Adrianne Lenker’s solo album, songs). The EP’s fifth and final track, “Shadow Too,” is a demo recorded in January 2018 in Topanga before the band began recording their 2019 albums, UFOF and Two Hands.“

Proceeds from the sale will be split between 2 organizations, with the majority going to Plus1LA Fires Fund, which “directly supports organizations working on the ground to address critical needs like housing, education, animal welfare, and more.” The remaining funds will be donated directly to “local musicians, artists and community members who need extra support during this time.“

Regarding the project, the band states, “Our hearts are broken for everyone affected by the fires in California. We’ve put together some of our favorite unreleased songs into an EP called Passional Relations, only available on our webstore, and all proceeds will go toward providing relief for those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles.”

They continue: “Our hope is that these contributions will not only help address the crucial and immediate needs of affected communities but also help sustain the work, identity, and culture of the artists within them.“

Passional Relations can be purchased now by clicking HERE.

Full tracklist and details below.

Tracklist: