Indie rock figurehead and eclectic pop genius Beck continues to break the mould with his new record, Beck Hansen's Song Reader.

Coming out in December, Song Reader will not be recorded, but released only as sheet music through McSweeney's, the indie US publishing house founded by author Dave Eggers. With this innovative and gorgeously presented book, Beck invites fans the world over to interpret, arrange, and reinvent each track however they choose - an offer too good to resist.

With the co-operation of McSweeney's, Faber & Faber and Allen & Unwin, The BRAG and FBi Radio are proud to present an evening of music and words, raising funds for Sydney Story Factory. The new non-profitt writing centre in Redfern is dedicated to helping marginalised young people through one-on-one tutoring, inspired by Eggers' series of 826 National centres around America. To be held at The Standard on Wednesday December 19, the night will feature an all-star lineup of Sydney musicians, donating their time and talent for this exclusive Australian performance premiere of the first new Beck album in almost five years. Through a communal, collaborative process guided by musical director Brian Campeau - the Sydney producer and acclaimed musician, fresh from staging a tribute to Beck's Sea Change in October - the artists will create a totally unique version of Song Reader, in a one-off performance that doubles as Sydney's first chance to hear the album in full.

Our players for the evening are some of Sydney's most critically acclaimed musicians, including Josh Pyke, Jonathan Boulet, Dappled Cities, Caitlin Park, Melodie Nelson, Richard In Your Mind, Aidan Roberts (Belles Will Ring), Thomas Rawle (Papa vs Pretty), Brian Campeau and Elana Stone, with The Green Mohair Suits acting as the night's session band. As a celebration of both music and writing, the night will also feature spoken word performances from Brendan Cowell and Sarah Blasko, with the party capped o with DJ sets from Adam Lewis (Radiant/FBi Radio) and Conrad Greenleaf.
"This event is such a generous, joyous example of creativity - exactly the quality we try to nurture in our students," says Cath Keenan, executive director and co-founder of the Sydney Story Factory. "We are thrilled to be the benefitciaries of such an exciting evening."