Music for America Partners with over a dozen concert tours to inspire young voters this fallSan Francisco, CA, November 2, 2006 -- In an ongoing effort to inspire millions of young voters to participate in the electoral process, Music for America (http://www.musicforamerica.org/) has partnered with over a dozen bands touring nationwide this fall - registering voters, discussing current issues and sparking peer-to-peer conversations around the issues that matter most to young people. The push is designed to turn young people out to vote on November 7 and get the newest generation of voters more involved in the electoral process.
Artists who are taking Music for America on tour this fall include Cut Chemist, Death Cab for Cutie, The Long Winters, Minus the Bear, TV on the Radio, Tanya Morgan, The Dresden Dolls, Drive-By Truckers, Barenaked Ladies, Lyrics Born, The Decemberists, She Wants Revenge and Xiu Xiu - leading to an MFA presence at nearly a dozen shows per night all across the country.
Music for America is creating a presence at each show in each market by tapping into a growing network of local MFA volunteers, who attend the shows for free in exchange for spending time "tabling" -- i.e. handing out issue cards, passing out MFA merchandise, registering voters, recruiting additional volunteers, and adding new names to MFA's membership. Artists support MFA's efforts in a variety of ways, and often plug the group's message from the stage, taking advantage of this platform to speak about current issues and urge concert-goers to visit the MFA information tables and to get more involved.
"We're honored to be working with Music for America. This is a crucial year for elections and its very important to us that as many people as possible get out and vote and have access to the electoral process," says Nick Harmer, bassist of Death Cab for Cutie.
"The Millennial Generation (people under 30) is as big as the Baby Boom. With the highest turnout in more than 30 years, young people overwhelmingly voted for change in 2004," says MFA Executive Director, Molly Moon Neitzel. "Young people now have the power to change the direction this country is headed in this election, and we are going to exercise that power."
A complete list of the remaining MFA-partnered concerts can be found at http://www.musicforamerica.org/music/shows
If you live in Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Idaho, Maine, or New Hampshire you can register to vote on Election Day. To know more about the candidates and issues, become a member of Music For America, it's free and Music For America endorses candidates and ballot initiatives in 48 states for their membership. Join now at http://www.MusicForAmerica.org.
Image courtesy of Matt Carmody.
Music
Some quasi-political, Hold-Steady-esque tracks from Two Headed Boy:
Two Headed Boy - "Roadside Shine"
Two Headed Boy - "High Crimes and Misdemeanors"
Featured Album: The Tragically Hip, Road Apples
Formed in 1983 by Gordon Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass) and Johnny Fay (drums), The Tragically Hip have enjoyed huge success in Canada. Over the last 17 years America has proven especially resistant to their sound, and their lack of success in America has frustrated record companies urging them upon the American public. Now Sire is trying their luck with the band...perhaps they'll prove more successful.
Their self-titled debut EP, The Tragically Hip, released in 1987, is pure rock and roll, raw and loud. No complex production here, only the unbridled energy and enthusiasm of five guys putting soul to wax. The first track, "Small Town Bringdown," is reminiscent of Tom Petty, sporting Petty-esque guitar melody and simplicity of composition. "Evelyn" is a particularly driving ditty about an itinerant lady, whereas "Killing Time" is bluesy lyrics contemplating murder laid over the quick rhythmic chords resembling the more staccato rhythms of the Stones. Nothing new here, just good ol' rock and roll, and the rough promise of greater things to come...
...Road Apples, released in 1991, was that next album, and a damned good one at that. "Twist My Arm" is one rockin' tune, full of southern guitar twang remembering early ZZ Top. The reverb on "Long Time Running" is the perfect counterpoint for the pointed despair of Gordon Downie's lyrics. Especially beautiful is the acoustic melody, "Fiddler's Green," a sure departure from the straightforward rock and roll of their first album.
Listening to The Tragically Hip's first three albums is a lot like listening to the evolution of a good rock and roll band into an outstanding rock and roll band. That's what they are, at the root of it: a rock and roll band. You can hear plenty of their style on the radio now, especially in the sounds of The Counting Crows, but they've yet to achieve the success of the Crows...[read the full review at PopMatters]
The Tragically Hip - "Little Bones"
The Tragically Hip - "Twist My Arm"
The Tragically Hip - "Cordelia"
The Tragically Hip - "The Luxury"
The Tragically Hip - "Born in the Water"
Last but not least...
Neutral Milk Hotel - "Songs Against Sex" (live 1991)