A new solo recording by R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe is featured on an upcoming compilation titled Democracy Forward that will be released during the first week of July as a two-LP vinyl set. The album will raise money to support the national legal organization Democracy Forward, which provides free representation to people and communities in defense of their constitutional rights.
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The 20-track collection features protest songs and pro-democracy-themed tunes by a variety of artists. In addition to Stipe, the album includes recordings by Sierra Ferrell, Wilco, Tyler Childers, Brandi Carlile, Brittany Howard, My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, and the late John Prine.
The new Stipe song, titled “Invocation,” is the lead track from the compilation. Democracy Forward also features “No Time for Love Like Now,” Stipe’s 2020 collaboration with Big Red Machine. Big Red Machine is a collective that features The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon.
“Invocation” features spoken-word lyrics from Miachael that reflect the album’s theme: “We believe in the importance of our democracy and also our ability to save it. The world is depending on us. This fight is not over. The day is not done.”
The album was organized by Democracy Forward in partnership with the Athens, Georgia-based literary magazine The Bitter Southerner. The compilation was produced by BS Records, a division of The Bitter Southerner’s eponymous parent company.
More About the Democracy Forward Organization and the Compilation
Democracy Forward’s CEO and president, Skye Perryman, explained the organization’s mission in a statement.
“The work of Democracy Forward ensures that people and communities—that all of us—are heard and that our rights are protected,” Perryman said. “At a time when so many communities across the nation are hurting and being targeted, music, art, and expression helps to bring people together in community, which creates the conditions for courage.”
She noted about the compilation, “We are incredibly grateful to the artists who have dedicated their music to support the American people’s rights and our democracy during this consequential time. Each of us has a role to play in strengthening our democracy, and every voice matters.”
Kyle Tibbs Jones, The Bitter Southerner’s editorial director and co-founder, added, “At The Bitter Southerner, it’s our job to lift up organizations tackling our country’s crisis head on. Skye Perryman and all our heroes at Democracy Forward are doing just that (so we are very proud to give this record the same name, Democracy Forward.) And that artist list? Sublime! Sending this inspiring double album out into the world is an honor,”
The vinyl collection currently is sold out, but a note posted on BS Records’ website announced that it “will be available to order again very soon.”
Democracy Forward Track List:
- “Invocation” – Michael Stipe
- “American Dreaming” – Sierra Ferrell
- “Cruel Country” – Wilco
- “Long Violent History” – Tyler Childers
- “Speak Your Mind” – Brandi Carlile
- “Colossus of Roads” – Hurray for the Riff Raff
- “Another Day” – Brittany Howard
- “People” – Tunde Abebimpe
- “Farewell Transmission” – Kevin Morby and Waxahatchee
- “A Lingering Love” – Fruit Bats
- “Something More Than Free” – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Live from the ACL Live)
- “Ruthless” – She Returns from War
- “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You into Heaven” – John Prine (Live at Fifth Peg Chicago)
- “Satellite” – S.G. Goodman
- “You’re Not Alone” – Allison Russell (featuring Brandi Carlile)
- “Life Is Confusing” – Langhorne Slim
- “Jimmy Carter” – Blue Mountain
- “So Long” – Danielle Ponder
- “Here in Spirit” – Jim James
- “No Time for Love Like Now” – Michael Stipe and Big Red Machine
(Photo by Al Pereira/WireImage)
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