Pearl Swanson Benefit

Hey everyone,

Just a quick note to tell you that our next show is very important not just to us, but to the entire Duluth and greater Minnesota music scene.

Without Eric Swanson, the Duluth music scene would be missing both of its arms and a leg. We won't even try to explain why as it would be inadequate. If you know, you understand.

One of his baby daughters, Pearl, went into acute heart failure last month and was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. To help pay for ongoing hospital fees, there is a massive benefit in her honor. You can find all the info here: http://pearl.perfectduluthday.com/

We are honored to be part of the schedule and we sincerely hope that everyone will make it a point to drop everything and make a trip out to one of the shows. Hopefully you will come to see us on Saturday December 9th. This is going to be bigger than any run-of-the-mill Homegrown-type festival. We are going to do our homework and pump out two or three brand new songs just for the occasion. If this doesn't get your butt through the door then maybe you're better off hiding your head in shame at home. SO THERE!

From pearl.perfectduluthday.com:

BENEFIT FOR INFANT HEART PATIENT TO FEATURE DINNER, AUCTION AND THREE-DAY CONCERT SERIES DULUTH, MN

Pearl Swanson might be a little girl, but she's bringing out a lot of heart in a lot of people. Pearl went into acute heart failure last month and was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Her story has caught the attention of many in the Duluth music scene, where her father, Eric Swanson, is a well-known recording engineer at Sacred Heart Studio. "We'll do whatever we can for Eric, Patty, and their family," said Al Sparhawk, a local musician and front man in the nationally renowned band Low. "If we can play a show and help them pay a few bills, that's what we'll do. And it's amazing how many people out there want to do the same thing." The benefit, scheduled for December 8, 9 and 10, in a variety of Duluth venues, has already booked many of this area's finest bands, including Low, Charlie Parr and Trampled by Turtles. Pearl, who along with her twin sister, Ruby, was adopted from Ethiopia this summer, has suffered multiple illnesses since traveling from Africa. While Ruby thrived and grew rapidly, Pearl became increasingly frail, and her parents became more and more suspicious that something was seriously wrong with her health. Their intuitions were realized when, a few weeks ago, Pearl was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a disease that physically attacks and weakens the function of the heart muscle itself. She is currently receiving treatment at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Eric, twin sister Ruby, and mother Patty (Sobczak) have been staying in the Twin Cities to be with Pearl, who is undergoing a battery of tests. It is unclear at this time how her disease will progress, and she is currently being evaluated by the University Heart Transplant Team. In the meantime, Eric is unable to work, and medical costs are mounting. "We knew we had to help," said Scott Lunt, who's helping organize the city-wide benefit, "and the response has been great. We just need to line up a few more silent auction items, and maybe we can make a difference." The Pearl Swanson Benefit is in need of items such as locally-produced CDs, books, works of visual art, gift certificates for local businesses and similar items, but any donation would be appreciated. A bank account has been set up in Pearl Swanson's name. Contact North Shore Bank of Commerce at 218-525-1977 for more information.