Available from MSN.com for $5, the magazine will be delivered direct to your iTunes, and include “world premiere songs and videos” from Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, Dixie Chicks (‘Lucky One’), Jay-Z, John Legend (a cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’), The Killers with Elton John & Neil Tennant (the Christmas-flavoured ‘Joseph’), The Police with Elvis Costello (‘Watching The Detectives’ & ‘Walking On The Moon’) and U2 who recorded their contribution last week in London.
“It’s not just a t-shirt, and it’s not just giving proceeds to charity,” (RED)’s Don MacKinnon tells America’s Variety magazine. “They’re taking far reduced rates, but we’re paying artists and publishers and have created a model to make this sustainable. It becomes a great avenue for exposure. It’s hard to digest a 30-song sampler. The idea is a bite-sized collection that arrives automatically in your iTunes.”
Following the launch, (RED)Wire will be delivered weekly and contain “an exclusive song from a major artist; a less well-known song from an artist (RED) wants to showcase; a fun or inspiring non-musical piece; and a video on the impact of (RED) dollars at work in Africa.”
Also lined up to contribute songs to the HIV/AIDS fundraising initiative are Bob Dylan, REM, Jenny Lewis, Brandi Carlisle and TV On The Radio.