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Top Artists Rally for Japan Earthquake Victims

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With Japan still reeling from the earthquake and tsunami that rocked the nation on March 11, top musicians like Lady Gaga, U2, and Nicki Minaj — along with indie icons like Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo — are rallying to show their support.

Here’s a roundup of available auctions and events, from intimate concerts to rare merchandise like posters and limited-edition vinyl. You can also give directly to the Red Cross, which is raising money for disaster relief. Head here for more information on how to donate.

  • Lady Gaga has designed prayer bracelets emblazoned with the words “We Pray for Japan,” transcribed in both English and Japanese. The item costs $5, but fans can add an additional donation to a purchase. [Lady Gaga’s Official Store]

  • U2, Bon Jovi, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Justin Bieber will contribute music to a digital-only benefit album by label Universal, which will raise money for the Japanese Red Cross. The set is expected to be rush-released for this week; a track list has yet to be announced. [Yahoo!]

  • Warp Records is selling special-edition T-shirts to raise money for the Red Cross Japan Tsunami Aid Fund. The label is covering manufacturing costs and giving 100-percent of proceeds to charity. [Warp Records]

  • Linkin Park‘s Mike Shinoda has designed two T-shirts that are available through the group’s official site, with funds benefitting Music for Relief. The band is also supporting the charity by contributing an unreleased song to the Download to Donate album, which features material from Angels & Airwaves, Counting Crows, Enrique Iglesias, Plain White T’s, Slash, and more for a $10 donation.

  • Sonic Youth are performing as part of the sold-out Concert to Benefit Japan Earthquake Relief on March 27 at Columbia University in New York. Mike Patton, Yoko Ono, Sean Lennon, John Zorn, Cibo Matto and others are also slated to perform.

    U2

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    Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore will also take part in another benefit show at the Abrons Arts Center” in New York on April 8, alongside Norah Jones, Buke, Gass, and others. In addition to playing shows, the band is auctioning off a pair of rare posters from the early ’90s, along with a pair of custom Vans SY shoes. Head here to bid on the items.

  • Yo La Tengo have organized a benefit concert on March 23 at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ, with proceeds from ticket sales going to Peace Winds Fund.

  • The Mountain Goats are auctioning off an unreleased song on cassette, with the money going to benefit Doctors Without Borders USA. [eBay]

  • Beady Eye, Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft, Primal Scream, Blur‘s Graham Coxon, and others will play a London benefit at Brixton O2 Academy on April 3. Proceeds will go to the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. Tickets go on sale Friday. [NME]

  • Fleet Foxes are auctioning off a vinyl test printing of their single “Helplessness Blues” on eBay. The proceeds for this rare item benefit Global Giving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

  • L.A. garage rockers Black Rebel Motorcycle Club are auctioning off an autographed cymbal used on their last tour, along with a collection of rare out-of-print vinyl. The bidding is still open at Charity Buzz.

  • Norway’s Serena Maneesh have released a remix of Lindstrøm & Christabelle’s “High & Low” on iTunes, with all proceeds going towards the Japanese Red Cross.

  • The Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA has released a tribute to earthquake victims titled “Gab-Gotcha ‘Japan,'” which is available for free over at Soundcloud.

  • If comedians Neil Hamburger and Tim Heidecker can encourage fans to raise $10,000 for the Red Cross, the duo will release a new 10 minute comedy bit for free. [Tiny Mix Tapes]

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