http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/u2-coldplay-killers-help-launch-red-wire-1003904876.story

 

Some of the biggest names in music are contributing exclusive songs to RED(WIRE), a new digital music magazine launching on World AIDS Day (Dec. 1).

 

U2, Coldplay, the Killers, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, R.E.M. and Bob Dylan are on board for the initiative, which is an outgrowth of the Bono-reared activist organization (RED). All proceeds from subscriptions will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa; MSN.com will host a kick-off party on Dec. 1.

 

For $5, users will receive a new issue of RED(WIRE) every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major artist, a song from an artist (RED) aims to showcase, a multimedia piece that could encompass video or photography and a look at how proceeds are directly benefiting Africans in need. The materials will be downloaded to a custom player and automatically loaded into iTunes.

 

Users can send two free issues to friends, and will be rewarded if they join RED(WIRE). "Artists are already saying, 'I want to give you a track for those people who brought friends in,'" (RED)WIRE founder Don MacKinnon tells Billboard.com. "That's the biggest idea: using social networking to actually change the world in a unique way."

 

U2's track was recorded just last Wednesday, while the Killers, Elton John and the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant teamed up for the Christmas song "Joseph, Better You Than Me," which MacKinnon describes as "like a power ballad." This is the third year in a row the Killers have penned a holiday song and donated proceeds to (RED).

 

Meanwhile, John Legend's take on Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" finds him eschewing piano for a stripped-down arrangement with guitar, bass and backing vocalists, according to MacKinnon.

 

Also coming is the first new Dixie Chicks song since the group's Grammy sweep in 2007, "Lucky One," and Elvis Costello and the Police jamming on "Watching the Detectives" and "Walking From the Moon," taped during Costello's new Sundance Channel show "Spectacle." Additional (RED)WIRE offerings will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

MacKinnon is particularly enthused about the creative directions open to (RED)WIRE, especially with such high-profile artist participation.

 

"I had a meeting with Jay-Z, and he wants to talk about artists to be featured in that spotlight slot," he says. "Big artists may curate an issue. The whole goal was to create a creative platform. When somebody says, 'I do all this photography and I want to put it in as an extra,' That's when I go, this is going to be really cool."

 

 

 

and http://www.nme.com/news/u2/41275

 

A brand new Christmas collaboration between The Killers and Elton John is set to launch a new charity digital music service to mark World Aids Day.

 

(RED)WIRE is set to be launched through MSN on December 1, with all proceeds going to HIV-infected victims in Africa.

 

The service will be kicked off by Elton John and the Las Vegas' band's festive track 'Joseph, Better You Than Me'

 

Meanwhile, the service will deliver exclusive tracks every week directly to subscribers, including a new music from U2, Bob Dylan, Coldplay and Jay-Z.

 

Other songs set to feature include Elvis Costello and The Police jamming on the pair's respective classic tracks 'Watching The Detectives' and 'Walking On The Moon'. The performances were taped during Costello's new Sundance Channel show 'Spectacle'.

 

Additional (RED)WIRE tracks will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

For £4 per month, (RED)WIRE members will receive a weekly digital download directly into their iTunes library.

 

Each weekly issue will contain four elements - an exclusive song from a major artist, a song from an up-and-coming artist, a non-music item - such as a digital short film, photography or a reading from an artist or actor - and short videos about (RED) work in Africa.

 

For more more information go to Redwire.com.

 

 

Sounds really interesting to me, I'm almost thinking maybe they'll give a new song, given U2 and The Killers have recorded something specially...

:o

 

thanks for posting !

 

 

another new song... :dance: and in such a good cause!

new song :D

 

Maybe it's one of those left off Prospekt's March????????

i'd kill for it to be a new song and not a cover song, but either way, :nice: :dance:

Wooww that´s really nice :D i just hope its not another duet with Jay-Z lol

ooh, new song :)

Is this gonna be Redwire only?

 

Separate digital downloads would be nice. I don't want to sound stingy (going to charity after all), but €5 a month is a bit steep, especially as it all adds up.

 

Anyways, MORE NEW STUFF!!! :D

:D :D :D

thanks for posting

I'm guessing it'll be another Viva leftover. Wewt.

You know a new Coldplay song alone would have sold me on this stunt, though the addition of new U2 and a Killers/Elton John collab sweetens the deal further. Viva holdover or not, 2008 has proven to be a huge Coldplay year that isn't even over yet in terms of new material.

 

Even if it starts out (RED)WIRE exclusive, it's obvious somebody will create an alternative means of obtaining the songs...whatever that means is...

I hope is something new!!!!! :dance:

This is really exciting news. New Killers, U2, Death Cab for Cutie, Coldplay, REM etc.

Check out redwire.com, if you register before December 1st you get two months free!

I would love to hear their song with Kylie... but I doubt that they would release it for an AIDS organization, since Will said it was too "racy"

Yay I made it onto the homepage ;)

*pats self on back* :P

I can't wait. I hope it is bloody awesome song.

Hm, you can hear Life in Technicolor in the redwire introduction video on: http://red.msn.com/

 

Is this a sign? :)

Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for the info.

*bump*

Told you so! :P

Lhuna FTW!!

didn't see this thread! I think you deserve a mention on the front page! ;)

Yay! :p