Jackson Free Press

Yoko Ono, MC5, Interpol, Billy Bragg, Death Cab for Cutie, The Flaming Lips and others discuss the intersection of music and politics. Musicians photographed with protest signs; autographed signs to be auctioned for Music For America. http://undertheradarmag.com/protestauction.html

"If Bush isn't living up to standards, or Kerry, then you live up to them. Don't just complain about how our society is and then be the same way." The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne in The Protest Issue

"True patriots have free minds. Be the change you want to see." - Protest Music Legend Richie Havens in The Protest Issue.

On stands now is Under the Radar magazine's "The Protest Issue," which features a thirty-three-page section on the role politics plays in independent music. For the visual aspect of the section, Under the Radar conducted photo shoots with various musicians holding protest signs of their own writing. In October, the magazine will be auctioning off the autographed signs on eBay and donating the profits to Music For America, a non-profit organization that uses music to encourage young people to vote.

In an election year when the country is split down the middle on so many issues, Under the Radar music magazine felt that it was an important time to examine the intersection of music and politics and how the political climate can influence music and how musicians can help sway political opinion. Many musicians have opinions on political issues, but how many of them are actually saying or doing anything about it? Do musicians have a duty to channel politics into their music? Can protest music really make a difference anyway? Amid the current political turmoil, Under the Radar decided to explore the intersection of music and politics from the artists point of view.

For the protest sign shoots, Under the Radar provided the musicians with poster board and paint -- asking them to exercise free speech and create a slogan of their own choosing. All of the protest signs were autographed by the musicians, and these original pieces will be auctioned off on eBay from Oct. 1st through October 7th, with all profits to be donated to Music For America.

Some of the artists interviewed and/or photographed for The Protest Issue include: Badly Drawn Boy, Joan Baez, Devendra Banhart, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Billy Bragg, Bright Eyes, David Cross, Cursive, Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Ani DiFranco, The Faint, Faithless, Perry Farrell, The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne, Richie Havens, The (International) Noise Conspiracy, Interpol, Le Tigre, MC5, Yoko Ono, Pete Seeger, Super Furry Animals, and many others.

For information and a complete list of the artists involved in this exciting issue and auction go to: www.undertheradarmag.com/protestpress.html

Get involved: www.musicforamerica.org