Experimental indie band Animal Collective have teamed up with KEEP to design a new brand of sneakers, with proceeds from the sales going towards the charity Socorro Island Conservation Fund.
Founding member Avey Tare has worked on the first edition, while fellow member Brian Weitz has said the band were keen to become involved in the project in order to support the charity. “After much discussion we decided we wanted to give money to a small under-funded organization to which we felt a personal connection,” he said.
“Josh and I have been scuba diving together for a number of years and the Revillagigedos was one of the most amazing places I have ever seen. Hopefully this project will protect the animals of the Revillagigedos through at least one more fishing season and draw more attention to the global problem of illegal fishing.”
Josh Dibb also added that the efforts of the charity had become important to the group after a trip in 2007. “The trip that Brian and I took to the Revillagigedos in 2007 has driven me to go diving when I can and learn as much as I can about the state and health (or lack thereof) of our oceans,” he explained.
“Whereas I once saw sharks as a potentially frightening creature and little else, I have come to understand that they are a crucial part of a highly stressed and collapsing ecosystem.”
Pre-orders for Avey Tare’s edition of the sneakers are running until October 31st, with deliveries expected to commence in March 2011.