Yeasayer and the Polyphonic Spree to Visit Uganda

Posted on Mar 2nd 2010 10:10AM by James Lawrenson
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Yeasayer have signed on to travel to Gulu, Uganda later this year, aiming to learn first hand the effects of the Ugandan civil war. They join the already-committed Polyphonic Spree. The trip is being organised by the charity Invisible Children, which is dedicated to improving the lives of these children who are forcibly recruited into the civil war. Whilst in Uganda the bands will learn about the war first hand, and perform live in various locations.

The war has been ongoing since 1987, and the US government estimates that 12,000 people have been killed in the violence, while many more have died from resulting disease and malnutrition. Probably the most depressing aspect of all this is the abduction of children (and adults) to be used as porters, soldiers and sex slaves.

UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center estimated in 2007 that 24,000 to 38,000 children and 28,000 to 37,000 adults had been abducted. One survey found that 35% of abductees had been forced to kill, and 78% had witnessed a killing.

A documentary is set to be made by La Blogotheque, the site behind the 'Take Away Shows,' which puts bands in unusual locations, then films them. They've made a trailer for the project, which can be seen here.

Flying bands out to Uganda costs a lot of money, particularly if you're a charity, and more so if you're taking the Polyphonic Spree. Kickstarter is being used to seek out donations, and hopes to raise $20,000 (£13,395) to fund the trip.

Depending how much you donate you get different 'prizes': $25 (£16.75) gets you a thank you card and a digital download of the film, while $1,000 (£669.74) gets you an invite to a Take Away Show. Click here to pledge.