Category Archives: Politics

Madi Diaz Appears on Grandstand Media’s Politically Charged Compilation Album “Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy”

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Madi Diaz is hoping to bring a little light to the darkness surrounding this year’s dark political climate…

In the wake of this year’s highly charged first presidential debate, Grandstand Media has announced the second edition of the fittingly titled compilation album, Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy, featuring the 34-year-old half-Peruvian American singer-songwriter.

The 77-track album is made up of never-before-heard new songs, covers, remixes, live versions and unreleased demos from artists like Pearl Jam, David Byrne, Yoko Ono, Mark Ronson, Cold War Kids, John Prine, Shakey Graves, Margo Price, My Morning Jacket, Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Flume and many more.

Diaz performs a cover of the iconic classic American western folk song “Home On The Range.” Dr. Brewster M. Higley of Smith County, Kansas, wrote the lyrics in the poem “My Western Home” in 1872.

Indie pop band The Marías, composed of Puerto Rican lead singer María Zardoya and Los Angeles drummer Josh Conway, also appear on the album. The Marias perform “Hold It Together (Demo)” on the album.

Chicano Batman appears on the album, singing “Invisible People (Live).” The Latino band, composed of Eduardo Arenas, Carlos Arévalo, Bardo Martinez and Gabriel Villa.

Mexico City-based Mexican Institute of Sound also appears on the album. The electronic music project performs “La Cura” on the album.

All the net proceeds from the album’s sales will go to Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan organization which fights for voting rights through state advocacy, policy, and legislative expertise. The organization works with others across the country to secure, protect and defend American voting rights.

Additionally, limited edition signed poster by Sofia Coppola will be sold to benefit Voting Rights Lab as well. See it here.

Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy will be available for only 24 hours via Bandcamp, starting at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday (Oct. 2) as part of their Bandcamp Fridays initiative.

See the full track list below.

  1. David Byrne – People Tell Me
    2. Pearl Jam – Get It Back
    3. Little Dragon – Night Shift
    4. The Postal Service – We Will Become Silhouettes (Live from Berkeley, CA 2013)
    5. Cold War Kids – Almost A Crime6. Black Pumas – Colors (Live)
    7. Mark Ronson & Ilsey Juber – No Time To Die (Bond Demo)
    8. Guided By Voices – Game Of Pricks (Live from the Teragram Ballroom, LA on 12/31/19)
    9. Phoenix – No Woman (Whitney Cover)
    10. Yola – To Be Young, Gifted and Black (Song: Nina Simone,  Arrangement: Aretha Franklin)
    11. Ciggy Black – Flypaper
    12. Arcade Fire feat. David Byrne – This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) [Talking Heads Cover, Live]
    13. Nilüfer Yanya – Day 7.5093
    14. Hippo Campus – No Poms (Live From First Ave)
    15. YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND – There’s No Goodbye Between Us (Remix by Deakin of Animal Collective)
    16. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Criminals (Atlas Sound Cover)
    17. The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Keep On Praying
    18. Perfume Genius – Jory (Demo)
    19. Feist – Human Touch (Nina Simone Cover)
    20. Jack Johnson – My Mind’s For Sale (Live in Lake Tahoe, NV 2017)
    21. Phantogram – You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker Cover)
    22. Big Boi and Sleepy Brown – We The Ones, ft. Killer Mike and Big Rube (Organized Noize Remix)
    23. Tenacious D – Rize of the Fenix (Live from Lollapalooza 2019)
    24. Alex Ebert – No Jokes Left
    25. John Prine – Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore (Live) feat. Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey, and Kenneth Pattengale
    26. Courtney Marie Andrews, Liz Cooper and Molly Sarlé – America (Simon & Garfunkel Cover)
    27. Jenny Lewis – Callaloo
    28. NNAMDÏ feat. Lala Lala – Dislocate
    29. !!! – Feels Good
    30. PUP – Edmonton
    31. Beach Bunny – Dream Boy (Live)
    32. Madi Diaz – Home On The Range
    33. Sturgill Simpson – All Around You – Live From The Ryman – 100% Grass Fed
    34. Shakey Graves – Good Listener
    35. Bob Mould Band – In A Free Land (Live in Seattle, WA 2019)
    36. Andrew Bird – Tables and Chairs
    37. Caleb Giles – Focus
    38. The Marías – Hold It Together (Demo)
    39. The War On Drugs – Eyes To The Wind (Live)
    40. Aimee Mann – Batten Down
    41. Chicano Batman – Invisible People (Live)
    42. Buzzy Lee – Cinderblock
    43. Fleet Foxes – Drops In The River (Live From The Ryman)
    44. Charly Bliss – Ohio (Demo)
    45. The Gossip – Room For You (Demo)
    46. KHEMIST – 40oz of Freedom
    47. The Dip – Friday Mixer
    48. Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell – Wish In Vain
    49. Margo Price – Devil’s In The Details
    50. My Morning Jacket – Big Decisions (Jim’s Demo)
    51. Old 97’s – Southern Girls (Cheap Trick Cover)
    52. Colin Meloy – Bring On The Dancing Horses (Echo & The Bunnymen Cover)
    53. Matt and Kim – Let’s Go (Acoustic)
    54. Songhoy Blues Feat. FOKN Bois – Don’t FOKN Worry
    55. Wolf Parade – ATA
    56. Tunde Adebimpe (Of TV on the Radio) – Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd Cover)
    57. Stone Gossard – Near
    58. Dan Deacon – Rally Banner
    59. Girlpool – Babygirl and Mental
    60. Calexico – All Systems Red (Live in Tucson, AZ 2005)
    61. MUNA – Walk On Water (Toyin’s Song)
    62. Nada Surf – Stories Going ‘Round
    63. Surfer Blood – New Direction
    64. illuminati hotties – content//bedtime / superiority complex (big noise) (Live at BetaWave)
    65. Mexican Institute Of Sound – La Cura
    66. Marginal Prophets – What The Man Don’t Know (Won’t Hurt Him)
    67. MICHELLE – Sunrise (Remix)
    68. Whitney – Valleys (My Love) (Live from SPACE)
    69. Bright Eyes – Pan and Broom (Demo)
    70. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – Fooled Around and Fell In Love (Elvin Bishop Cover, Live)
    71. Bedouine – Let Me In Your Life (Bill Withers Cover)
    72. RHYE – Hymn (Becky and the Birds Remix)
    73. Faye Webster – Vanishing Twin (Blake Mills Cover)
    74. Deaf Charlie – Something Real
    75. Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – Chosen
    76. Nick Hakim – QADIR – Extended
    77. Flume x Toro y Moi – The Difference (slowboi version)

Gloria Trevi Teams Up with GLAAD to Get Out the Latinx LGBTQ Vote

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Gloria Trevi is sending a highly targeted message about the importance of voting…

With the U.S. presidential election right around the corner, the 52-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter is calling on a specific segment of her fanbase to make their voices heard.

Gloria-Trevi

On Thursday, Trevi teamed up with GLAAD to share a message aimed at young Latinx LGBTQ people, where she urged her fans to get out and vote this November.

“To my dear friends in the LGBTQ community, we all know that our community leaders have the power to change many things that impact our lives,” the translation of her Spanish message said. “However, we also have the power to make change and to decide who those leaders are.”

Trevi emphasized in her message that voting is more than just a right for Americans, but something we should also recognize as an honor.

“It’s very important that everyone – LGBTQ, Latino and all communities – come together, and understand that this is not only our responsibility but a privilege,” she said. “Register to vote and exercise your right to vote.”

Along with her get out and vote message to the community, Trevi is also announcing a new partnership with GLAAD to help fund the organization’s Spanish-language work.

Every donation of $10 or more made to GLAAD here will enter fans into a sweepstakes, where they could win one of four spots on a special video call with Trevi, where the star will answer their questions in Spanish.

Camila Cabello Teams Up with ‘Free the Vote’ to Fight to Restore Voting Rights of Florida’s Former Convicts

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Camila Cabello is helping to free the vote…

23-year-old Mexican and Cuban American singer and former Fifth Harmony member and John Legend have joined forces for crowdfunding campaign Free the Vote, which aims to restore voting rights in Florida for the formerly convicted.

Camila Cabello

Earlier this month, a Florida court ruled that people with felony convictions in Florida are required to pay off all of their fees and fines before they’re allowed to vote, putting 700,000 possible voters in jeopardy.

So Cabello and Legend have acted in response as Florida’s voter registration deadline looms on October 5, with public support from Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Schumer, Kerry Washington, Uzo Abuda and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Since its Tuesday launch, the campaign has received more than 5,000 donations amounting to over $400,000.

“I am so proud to call Florida my home. It is full of unique and compassionate people from all backgrounds and lived experiences,” Cabello tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Voting is one of the most important ways Americans can make their voices heard. It is this diversity of voices and experiences that makes the state such a special place to live, and every single one of those voices — including returning citizens — deserves to be heard and counted.

“Florida’s pay-to-vote system unjustly prevents some formerly convicted individuals from casting their ballots,” she adds. “This system also disproportionately impacts people of color, creating obstacles for these communities as they try to exercise their right to vote.”

In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, which ended the state’s lifetime ban on voting for former felons who completed their parole or probation periods and were not convicted of murder or sexual offenses. Legislators tried to limit the new law by imposing the fees and fines requirement, which was struck down in court, but then upheld on appeal September 11.

Aside from the public campaign, Legend has also quietly helped raise more than $20 million for the cause from private donors including Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Michael Bloomberg and LeBron James for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. More than 56,000 donations have been made to the organization, with the goal of raising $25 million.

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Earlier this month, a Florida court ruled that people with felony convictions in Florida are required to pay off all of their fees and fines before they’re allowed to vote, putting 700,000 possible voters in jeopardy.

So Cabello and Legend have acted in response as Florida’s voter registration deadline looms on October 5, with public support from Leonardo DiCaprio, Amy Schumer, Kerry Washington, Uzo Abuda and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Since its Tuesday launch, the campaign has received more than 5,000 donations amounting to over $400,000.

“I am so proud to call Florida my home. It is full of unique and compassionate people from all backgrounds and lived experiences,” Cabello tells The Hollywood Reporter. “Voting is one of the most important ways Americans can make their voices heard. It is this diversity of voices and experiences that makes the state such a special place to live, and every single one of those voices — including returning citizens — deserves to be heard and counted.

“Florida’s pay-to-vote system unjustly prevents some formerly convicted individuals from casting their ballots,” she adds. “This system also disproportionately impacts people of color, creating obstacles for these communities as they try to exercise their right to vote.”

In 2018, Florida voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 4, which ended the state’s lifetime ban on voting for former felons who completed their parole or probation periods and were not convicted of murder or sexual offenses. Legislators tried to limit the new law by imposing the fees and fines requirement, which was struck down in court, but then upheld on appeal September 11.

Aside from the public campaign, Legend has also quietly helped raise more than $20 million for the cause from private donors including Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Michael Bloomberg and LeBron James for the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. More than 56,000 donations have been made to the organization, with the goal of raising $25 million.

Prince Royce Joins Global Citizen & HeadCount’s ‘Just Vote’ Campaign

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Prince Royce is getting out the vote…

The 31-year-old Dominican American bachata singer, who performed as part of this year’s Democratic National Convention, has joined Global Citizen and voter registration organization HeadCount’s Just Vote campaign.

Prince Royce

Prince Royce joins a roster of new additions that includes Bob Weir, Dave Matthews, Donna Karan, Dove Cameron, Gavin Rossdale, Kaia Gerber, Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, Lenny Kravitz, Madison Beer, Meghan Trainor and Shawn Mendes.

The Just Vote campaign aims to engage young Americans to check their status, register and vote in the November 2020 general elections and beyond. The non-partisan campaign has the goal of engaging one million young voters and get 50,000 young people registered ahead of the 2020 elections.

The group joins previously announced participants Billie Eilish, Billy Porter, DJ Khaled, FINNEAS, Julianne Hough, Loren Gray, Nicky Jam, Quavo, Taylor Swift and Usher.

“We are at a pivotal moment in the campaign as we head towards the final stretch of voter registration,” said Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “Through this campaign, tens of thousands of young people have already checked their voter registration status, but we have to keep up the momentum. It’s more important than ever to engage young people in the political process, and with the support of these great artists, even more young people will get registered to vote.”

By checking their voter registration status, young people can unlock exclusive experiences, performances and memorabilia donated by artists and entertainers. Once they check their voting registration status, participants will have the opportunity to receive access to opportunities like a one-on-one video chat with Kravitz, an acoustic performance by Matthews, a virtual hangout with Trainor and more.

Alaina Castillo Getting Out the Vote as Part of Spotify’s “Play Your Part” Non-Partisan Initiative

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Alaina Castillo is playing her part in getting out the vote…

There are less than two months before the U.S. presidential election on November 3, and Spotify has unveiled a non-partisan initiative, featuring the participation of the Latina singer, that’ll leverage the wide reach of the streaming platform to encourage voter turnout.

Alaina Castillo

Entitled “Play Your Part” and available on the “Home” section of Spotify’s official mobile app, the initiative is designed to provide resources, information and encouragement for users residing in the U.S.

The multi-faceted initiative, which kicked off on Wednesday, includes Spotify Voter’s Booth, a hub providing resources and information so users can register and make a plan to vote; new artist and influencer-curated playlists to keep users entertained during the voting process; special curated episodes about civic engagement from podcasts including Famous Fates: Movers & Shakers and Dope Labs; and video and audio voting reminders in several of Spotify’s flagship playlists.

Play Your Part includes a concerted effort to encourage young users to vote via partnerships with artists and influencers including Castillo, Conan Gray, King Princess, Chloe x Halle and more. From today, first-time voters on Spotify will receive messages from “fellow first timers” encouraging them to register.

Additionally, co-curated playlists from Seventeen Magazine and the music-focused voter registration organization HeadCount will be added to Spotify to encourage users to participate.

The Spotify-owned podcast company Anchor will also be launching an “election takeover” of its Sponsorships tool that will give podcasters the opportunity to donate their ad space to the voting nonprofits HeadCount, BallotReady and Democracy Works.

Earlier this year, Castillo was one of the artists featured as part of Spotify’s RADAR initiative, a global development program for emerging artists around the world. RADAR allows Spotify to deepen its commitment to young talent at all stages and strengthen their connections to their audiences.

Nicky Jam Taking Part in Global Citizen & HeadCount’s “Just Vote” Campaign

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Nicky Jam’s urging everyone to vote like your life depends on it…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican & Dominican American reggaeton and Latin trap singer is taking part in the

Nicky Jam

Just Vote campaign, which the participation of other celebrities like Taylor Swift, Usher, DJ Khaled and Billie Eilish.

Just Vote is an initiative of international advocacy organization Global Citizen and voter registration body HeadCount, who’ve come together with a mission to motivate young people to exercise their democratic rights this November and in the many elections to come.

Also on board are Billy Porter, Finneas, Julianne Hough, Loren Gray, Quavo and others.

Young voters could hold the balance for the upcoming presidential election. The trick is getting them over the line, especially in a pandemic.

According to data published by Global Citizen, more than a third of eligible voters are Gen Z or Millennials, and upwards of 80% of nationals aged 18-29 believe their vote can affect change. On the flip side, juts 60% are planning to vote.

Just Vote’s aim is to engage 1 million young voters and get 50,000 vote-aged Americans to register ahead of Nov. 3, 2020.

To help hit those outcomes, several stars have agreed to participate in special fan experiences.

Once the voting registration status is completed, a virtual dance lesson is up for grabs with Usher and his choreographer, Nicky Jam is offering a never-before-seen performance, there’s a meet-and-greet with Quavo, and a virtual catch-up DJ Khaled.

“Major key alert!,” comments Khaled in a statement. “Checking your voting status and registering to vote is easy and important.”

He continues, “I’m partnering with Global Citizen and HeadCount, to make sure everyone has a chance to use their voice. I’m looking forward to hosting a virtual meet and greet with the Just Vote campaign to talk with young people who have taken the time to check their voter registration status.”

Click here for more details.

Rita Moreno Dons ‘Vote’ Mask as Part of When We All Vote’s New ‘Get Out The Vote’ Campaign

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Rita Moreno isn’t masking her feelings about the importance of voting this year…

With the November election right around the corner, the 88-year-old Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress and Latina icon is encouraging people to do their civic duty without uttering a single word.

Rita Moreno

Moreno is taking part in When We All Vote’s new campaign.

Director and producer Allen Hughes has brought together a wide range of artists, athletes, industry leaders, and notable community members wearing a “VOTE” face covering to inspire maximum voter participation.

When We All Vote

Those taking part in this year’s mask campaign include Tony Bennett, Dr. Dre, Robert De Niro, Larry David, Megan Rapinoe, Sean Penn, David Crosby, Snoop Dogg, Diane von Furstenberg, Padma Lakshmi, Sterling K Brown, Tyler Oakley, Kevin Love, Ron Howard, Judd Apatow, Lindsey Vonn, Michael Keaton, Bryan Cranston, Sandra Oh, Steve Buscemi, Pamela Adlon, Christopher Poindexter, Rita Moreno, Iliza Shlesinger, and Deepak Chopra, along with healthcare worker Cady Chaplin.

“This is clearly an existential election year, and it’s critical that every eligible voter in every community engage in this election,” Hughes says. “The very soul of our nation is on the ballot November 3rd, 2020.”

Launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, When We All Vote uses a data-driven approach to increase participation in elections. The group focuseson increasing participation in every election while closing the race and age voting gap. The goal is to change the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American.

In addition, Michelle Obama has added Selena Gomez, Liza Koshy, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson to this year’s co-chair list.

For more information on the organization and its new campaign, visit whenweallvote.org.

Cardi B Encourages People to Register to Vote as Deadlines Approach

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Cardi B is urging you to get registered…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who has never been afraid to get political, is encouraging everyone to get registered to vote.

Cardi B

In a video posted by her label, Atlantic Records, Cardi B keeps it simple:

“It’s Cardi B and let me tell y’all something, state deadlines are coming very quick so make sure y’all click the link in the bio so y’all can register to vote,” she says in the brief video supporting the non-partisan group HeadCount, a national non-profit organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy in the United States.

With less than 65 days left until the November 3 election, the push to register voters and make sure they have the necessary materials to vote by mail or to vote early in their states is ramping up.

Cardi B had previously voiced her support for Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders, interviewing him about his vision for the country and political views, before her dropped out of the race. She’s now thrown her support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who she also interviewed recently.

Click here to register to vote through the HeadCount website.

Click here to verify that you’re already registered to vote in your state.

Cardi B, riding high on the chart-topping success of her Megan Thee Stallion collaboration “WAP,” recently got into a social media tussle with former Republican congressional candidate DeAnna Lorraine, after Lorraine made an unflattering comparison between Cardi B and First Lady Melania Trump after the latter’s speech at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“America needs far more women like Melania Trump and far less like Cardi B,” tweeted the politician who failed in her bid to unseat Democratic Speaker of the House leader Nancy Pelosi, leading the superstar to fire back, “Didn’t she used to sell that Wap?”

“Narcissus Off Duty,” the Documentary About Caetano Veloso’s Life as a Political Prisoner, to Premiere at the Venice Film Festival

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Caetano Veloso’s life as a political prisoner will be headed to the big screen…

The documentary about the 78-year-old Brazilian composer, singer, guitarist, writer, and political activist, Narcissus Off Duty, will premiere on Monday, September 7 at the Venice Film Festival.

Caetano Veloso

In the film, directed by Renato Terra and Ricardo Calil, the multiple Grammy winner recounts his incarceration as a political prisoner in great detail and performs songs that sprung forth from this painful experience.

In 1968, during Brazil’s military dictatorship, Veloso – who the preceding year had been among the founders of the revolutionary Tropicalia artistic movement – was arrested on trumped up charges.

Veloso was taken from his Sao Paulo home to Rio de Janeiro, where he was placed in solitary confinement for one week and held behind bars for 54 days.

“I have a very clear memory of all things that happened that day, and in those months,” says Veloso of the time. “In fact I had written about it in my book Tropical Truth. There is a chapter in the book that tells the whole story. My manager, who is also my wife (Paula Lavigne), thought we should now do that on film. She invited a couple of directors who had done a wonderful work about a music festival…We were all going to do a complete documentary with many interviews and set locations, and things. But they started by interviewing me. When the interview – that we did in two sessions – ended, they decided that that would be enough.

The doc is co-produced by Veloso’s wife and manager Lavigne’s Uns Producoes with Walter Salles’ VideoFilmes. Globoplay has acquired rights for streaming in Brazil.

Bad Bunny Returns to Social Media to Encourage Puerto Ricans to Register to Vote

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Bad Bunny has returned from his social media hiatus with an importance message… Register to vote!

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer, who is registered to vote in the upcoming presidential election, wants to make sure young voters in his native island are as well.

Bad Bunny

Making his grand return to social media since a three-month hiatus, the “Yo Perreo Sola” singer posted a photo of his electoral identification card along with a strong message encouraging voters to make their vote and voice count.

“Young people, you have until September 14 to get your electoral identification card to be able to vote November 3,” he wrote. “We are in a crucial moment in the history of our country and now more than ever, we have the power to change the course of Puerto Rico.”

He continued, “it’s time for a real change. Enough with the abuse coming from both parties that has PR tied up. Enough of the same thing over and over again. It’s time to make history. Get your ID and use it fearlessly.”

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