The Triangle Theory

The digital age has opened up an area of tremendous potential for positive change and education at the interface of music and politics. While politics has always played a role in socially-conscious music, politicians have often engaged musicians and their fans only in shallow, self-interested ways. To many young people now, musicians are the cultural leaders of our time -- acute observers outside of the "game" of politics who can be trusted to articulate their own authentic vision of the way things are. At the same time, however, the corporate music industry has played a role in discouraging musicians from expressing their political views if doing so might alienate potential audiences and buyers for their products.

Music for Democracy exists to tear down these barriers and open up new avenues of communication and education between politicians, musicians, and fans. We believe that this "triangle" approach offers clear benefits to each of the three communities. Musicians who care about the electoral process and the issues we face as a society will find a forum to express their views and a network of resources to help them advance the progressive agenda. Politicians will gain access to a young and growing constituency of engaged and passionate voters. Music fans will be able to hear directly from the musicians they trust and respect, while working beside them with a sense of common purpose. And all three groups will be enabled to explore the potential of technology to route around corporate media and promote both great music and a politically informed culture.

The Internet is transforming the music industry, giving musicians the power to reach and interact with new audiences directly. We think that the combined force of music, progressive action, and an informed electorate has the potential to transform society as a whole.