PEARL JAM, Others Join Apparel Company's Environmental Initiative

The Pulse Of Radio reports that PEARL JAM is one of the many musical acts teaming with the Patagonia apparel company to raise money for environmental organizations endorsed by the artists themselves. According to Billboard, the acts are all part of a new initiative that launched on Tuesday (March 1) at Patagonia's official web site. Called the Patagonia Music Collective, the campaign is offering exclusive tracks for $.99 each, with net proceeds going directly to the environmental organizations of the artists' choice.

The project is launching with two volumes of 11 tracks each. One new song and three emerging tracks will be released weekly. Physical compilations will also be sold at Patagonia stores.

PEARL JAM has been promoting environmental awareness for years while also attempting to make its tours more eco-friendly. Vocalist Eddie Vedder told The Pulse Of Radio a while back that it was important for the band to use its status to bring these issues to the public's attention. "Bringing it up and saying, 'What are we doing to this planet?' — it's an obvious thing to be thinking about these days," he said. "And it just so happens that in our job, you know, there's a microphone, and people in front of it, and us behind it, and I guess we're gonna use it for what it's worth."

Other acts participating in the Patagonia campaign include Jack Johnson, Philip Glass, THE ZAC BROWN BAND, TAJ MAHAL, DRIVE BY TRUCKERS, STRING CHEESE INCIDENT, O.A.R., Ziggy Marley, LOS LOBOS and more.

Patagonia founder and owner Yvon Chouinard said in a statement, "Patagonia is hopeful other musicians will see that by just donating a song they can easily provide their favorite environmental group with a new stream of financing."

PEARL JAM released a new concert album, "Live On Ten Legs", earlier this year, and also just reissued its second and third albums, "Vs." and "Vitalogy", in deluxe special editions.