ArtIsMyOccupation Launches To Support Occupy Artists
ATC is excited about the launch of a new partner project called ArtIsMyOccupation (AMO).
Founded by artists and for artists who are involved in Occupy and other movements for Economic Justice, the project’s mission is to provide direct support for the culture workers of the 99% and get the artists who are working on the front lines of social change the resources they need.
AMO is now accepting applicants for the first round of grants and is calling all musicians, artists or performers with brillant ideas for an #occupy art project. Visit the AMO website for more information.
Creative Responses to Occupy Wall Street
Occupy Musicians has launched as an online tool for “sound engineers, sound artists, producers, DJs, instrumentalists, composers, and lyricists” who support Occupy Wall Street and its affiliated protests.
The new initiative seeks to focus the incredible support the movement has received from the music community into a petition and public statement of solidarity. The site will also serve as a resource to musicians, helping tp put on musical performances at Occupy protest sites and providing a hub for the documentation of audio, video, and writings from artists who support the 99 percent.
New Music from Lateef the Truthspeaker
Some incredible music for the movement just came out today. Lateef the Truthspeaker‘s new solo album ‘FIREWIRE‘ features 2 songs written in reaction to the current political and economic climate. The best is the summer-in-winter jam for the people, “We the People” which is guaranteed to keep the movement warm. Take a listen here:
And please help spread the word:
1.) Send it to your friends, networks and constituents to get them energized. http://bit.ly/sYkiBP
2.) Buy it and ask them to buy it (we’ve gotta keep these artists in their jobs too!) http://amzn.to/ufQqxm
SPOTLIGHT: Call To Action Music Videos
Current research shows that the numbers of Americans who are watching and sharing videos online via sites like YouTube and Vimeo has more than doubled over the last 5 years to a whopping 71 percent. Watching videos online now outranks social networking, online banking and other activities as the most frequent online activity.
As new features and capabilities are being added to video sharing sites including the ability to sell music, merch, tickets and more, it is clear the potential impact call to action music videos can have in raising awareness, generating funds or promoting action for a cause or issue an artist cares about–while at the same time promoting an artist’s music and brand.
Songs About Water & Land
ATC came up with a playlist of songs about water and land for a recent presentation about our work with musician’s on climate change and environmental issues. Here are some of our favorites:
Guest Post: Martín Perna on Immigration
In May of 2011, ATC & FMC brought a group of musicians on a fact-finding trip to Tucson, AZ to explore the multitude of issues at play in the immigration reform debate, including the role of the criminal justice system and media rights, and to hear directly from affected communities and experts. What follows is a first-hand account written by musician and retreat participant, Martín Perna, founder of the musical groups Antibalas and Ocote Soul Sounds.
Part I: Landing
Vote for Our SXSW 2012 Panels
It’s that time of year again. Please vote for ATC’s proposed panels on the official SXSW 2012 Panel Picker website or by clicking on the direct links below. Voting begins 8/15 and runs though 9/2. See below for panel descriptions and links. We have some really great content and speakers on board again this time around. 
It’s an Election Year!: http://bit.ly/mUK3nA
Go Green: Strategies For A More Sustainable Tour: http://bit.ly/pMNpFq
Responding to Natural Disasters: http://bit.ly/n1NRVH
U.S. Tornado Relief + Update on Japan Recommendations
Suggested text for sharing on Twitter/Facebook/Band sites – How to help: US tornado relief and Japan aid update http://bit.ly/kDYuSl #disasterrelief
TORNADO RELIEF
ATC has been monitoring response to the recent tornadoes that have ravaged parts of the Midwestern and Southern U.S. After researching what our philanthropy and aid experts advise (including advisers in disaster philanthropy and relief work) we recommend the following organizations. These groups are doing immediate relief and long-term rebuilding in the areas impacted by the flooding and tornadoes.
UPDATE: JAPAN AID & DONATIONS
Since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, ATC has been monitoring the situation and consulting with our philanthropy and aid experts (these include advisors in disaster philanthropy and relief work).
What you should know:
- There are 3 phases to a disaster: 1. Rescue, 2. Relief, and 3. Recovery + Rebuilding. Governments are usually best able to respond to the rescue and relief phases as we have seen in Japan. The phase where experts agree that the international community has the most important role to play is in the recovery and long-term rebuilding work. This is also the phase where musicians and fans can have the biggest impact — helping to keep the spotlight on the path to recovery as the international community turns to other news and disasters — and as ATC has seen happen in New Orleans and Haiti.
URGENT ACTION: JAPAN RELIEF – HOW TO HELP
On March 11, 2011, a 8.9/9.0 earthquake – one of the largest in recorded history- and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing extensive damage across a large part of the country. The death toll is high and the number of displaced and homeless is even higher.
Immediate relief and search and rescue efforts are being led by the Japanese government, one of the most prepared in the world for this type of disaster. This makes aid and relief response very different from other recent disasters that took place in developing countries. Numerous countries and relief agencies have pledged support and aid to Japan when they are ready. Suggested organizations and text are noted below for immediate donations. They are mobilized and have presence on the ground in the affected areas.
UPDATE: ACTIONS & PROTESTS FOR WORKERS’ RIGHTS
Update Madison, WI: Protests are heating up in response to Gov. Walker’s recent actions altering the State’s law and allowing Republicans to strip union workers of their collective bargaining rights. Below are up to date actions Artists and their fans can take to help defend workers’ rights.
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DEFENDING WORKERS’ RIGHTS – HOW ARTISTS CAN SUPPORT:
Post/Tweet/Facebook/Email the below actions to band sites and social media…
Close to Madison? Rally on Sat, Mar 12 for workers’ rights. Go to “action centers” at capitol for more on what to do: http://bit.ly/fgbgvh
Support public service workers. Sign the petition: http://bit.ly/f1HoR0
ART AND PROTEST — TUNISIA TO MADISON
From Tunisia to Cairo to Madison, Wisconsin, the protests spreading across the world have illuminated the power of people, technology and organizing. They are also highlighting the important and energizing role that art and artists have in these historic moments to usher in democratic change.
“We accomplished the biggest uprising in the world in 18 days,” said Zaky Khelfa, an Egyptian artist and organizer. “And how did it happen? With art and blood. We drew the ideas of the people.”
OUT TODAY! DEAR NEW ORLEANS DIGITAL BENEFIT COMPILATION
It feels really good to say it and sell it! The response to Dear New Orleans has been overwhelming and wonderful. The album has garnered much press and coverage. On Monday, Amazon offered the 31 track album as its daily deal and the compilation quickly reached #1 of Amazon’s most purchased Mp3′s and remained in that position until just yesterday evening.
Dear New Orleans is available for purchase from all of the major on-line music outlets: iTunes, Amazon, emusic and Rhapsody. But of course, we prefer it if everyone purchased it from our own TopSpin store on www.dearno.la so ATC can raise more funds for New Orleans and you get 3 bonus tracks and stream the full album before purchasing.
MUSICIANS RESPOND TO HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
Paste magazine published a series of musician responses to the recent Health Care Reform Bill. Some artists we have worked with are quoted in the article.
From PasteMagazine.com
Nellie McKay: “Well, it’s something. We need a public option. We don’t need mandatory payments to some of the worst corporations on Earth. The President’s support of abortion restrictions is deceptively benign; Obama, why is it always poor women who pay the price? Reform represents a hard-won step in the right direction. But to quote Dave Chappelle, ‘Where would a black man be without his paranoia?’ We are right to be paranoid when something like health care is in the hands of people who are only motivated by profit.”
