Big Heavy World has an important message to share from our friends, Music to Life. Music to Life is releasing a new album called HOPE RISES II and seeks songs from musician changemakers. Find info below, and more at Music to Life.

From the March 10, 2022 Music to Life Press Release:

Music to Life seeks social change musicians from around the country for its second compilation album of social change music, HOPE RISES II. This project will offer national exposure to the artists chosen and raise funds for our Activist Musician Accelerator: the first incubator of its kind to support musicians as entrepreneurial change agents in their communities. The album release is scheduled for November 2022, will be promoted across all streaming platforms and sold as commemorative CDs. Each artist selected will receive a custom press package, prizes from music sponsors and national exposure for their music and issue.

Artists can submit up to 2 tracks in any genre with social change themes (to be used by Music to Life ONLY for this particular release, supporting Music to Life's Accelerator artists; beyond this usage, artists own their tracks and are free to publish as they wish). Up to 14 final tracks will be selected, specially curated to include a complementary mix of styles, genres and social justice topics. Previously released tracks are acceptable as long as artists can obtain the rights for a secondary release.

Our review panelists are industry experts across all aspects of music and activism, including:

Noel Paul Stookey (of the Grammy Award-Winning trio: Peter, Paul and Mary & Co-Founder of Music to Life)

Gina Chavez (Latin Grammy-Nominated Performing Artist)

Simon Tam (Founder of The Slants & Civil Liberties Activist)

Maya Jupiter (Recording Artist & Co-Founder of Artivist Entertainment)

Mark Pinkus (President of Rhino Records)

Elliot Scheiner (8 time Grammy Award-Winning Producer)

Nick Jarjour (Global Head of Song Management at Hipgnosis Song Fund)

Reggie Harris (Musician, Educator, Storyteller)

Aisha Fukushima (Founder of RAPtivism & Award-winning Artist)

If you're ready to submit, thank you so very much! Please send up to 2 tracks (.MP3, .m4a, YouTube or Vimeo link) using this form. For each song submitted, please include a few sentences on the song's purpose, origin and/or impact.

Deadline: Thursday March 31st at 11:59 PM

First round finalists will be notified mid-May. Final songs will be chosen in August- should we use your song, we will issue a licensing/usage agreement. Release is scheduled for November 2022.

Questions: Please reach out to us at: info@musictolife.org.

We appreciate your consideration and your important work. Please be safe out there, and we look forward to hearing from you.”

Songwriting Contest: National Call for Songs of Social Change