Published: July 21, 2008
"Songs for Tibet" Set for Release in First Week of Beijing Olympics
Sting, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, and other top artists send a music message of support to Tibet and the Dalai Lama
Press release from the Art of Peace Foundation, supported by ICT, July 21, 2008
Washington DC, (July 21, 2008) - The Art of Peace Foundation announced today that more than a dozen of the world's top contemporary musical artists, including Sting, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, Suzanne Vega, Rush, Imogen Heap, Garbage, Damien Rice, Moby, Underworld, Duncan Sheik and many more have been brought together to create an album of 20 songs entitled, 'Songs for Tibet - The Art of Peace'. The project is the artists' expression of peace and support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama, and will be launched before the Olympics opens in Beijing.
Michael Wohl, the Executive Director of the Art of Peace Foundation, said: "We wanted to express our support for the Tibetan people and their message of peace through music, a fundamental means of expression, at a time when the eyes of the world are on China. Within days of our request, the artists responded with an extraordinary passion and commitment by delivering new songs. This album will focus peoplešs attention on the importance of Tibet, the gifts of its culture, and the crisis the Tibetan people are facing today."
Kate Saunders of the International Campaign for Tibet said: "We support this unique project as a heartfelt expression of solidarity with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people at a time when the survival of Tibetšs religious culture is under threat."
Beginning August 5th, the week of the Olympics opening, 'Songs for Tibet' will be available worldwide exclusively through iTunes. On August 12th, it will be available through all retail channels worldwide, including Amazon.
Legendary music producer Rupert Hine, who produced the CD, said: "The commitment and enthusiasm from such a wide group of artists has been astonishing and truly heartfelt. It's been exciting orchestrating such an historic project."
Michael Wohl, as a long time yoga and meditation practitioner, was inspired in his quest to pull together some of the world's most famous musicians by the arrival of the Olympic flame in the USA. He said: "I felt that it was time for a positive Olympics message of peace and hope, inspired by the wisdom culture of the Tibetan people."
Besides raising awareness and support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama at this critical moment, proceeds that the foundation receives from the sale of the album will support projects inspired by the Dalai Lamašs promotion of peace.
Contact:
For information about the music project and the Art of Peace Foundation:
Elizabeth Freund, Beautiful Day Media & Management, New York
Elizabeth@BeautifulDayMedia.com
Tel: +1 718-858-3550
For information about the situation in Tibet:
International Campaign for Tibet
Kate Saunders, Communications Director, London
press@savetibet.org
Tel: +44 7947 138612
http://www.savetibet.org
About The Art of Peace Foundation
The Art of Peace Foundation is a 503.1(C) non-profit founded on the Dalai Lama's belief of 'Universal Responsibility.' The Foundation's mission is to engage the world in a proactive way while remaining grounded in the Dalai Lama's vision of non-violence. http://www.ArtOfPeaceFoundation.org
About Rupert Hine
Rupert's career spans more than 30 years and 120 albums. According to Billboard, "Few producers have worked with as wide a stylistic range of gold and platinum-selling artists such as Sting, Chrissie Hynde, Peter Gabriel, Tina Turner and many others."
About Meridian Trust
The Art of Peace Foundation also works with their UK partner, Meridian Trust, to preserve Tibetan cultural traditions. Meridian Trust's patron is the Dalai Lama, who has asked them to raise the awareness of Tibetan cultural traditions. http://www.meridian-trust.org
About Bodywisdom Media
Bodywisdom media is a top-producer and distributor of yoga/holistic living programming in North America. As Meridian Trustšs North American distributor, bodywisdom media produced "A Path to Happiness," one of the top-selling Dalai Lama DVDs of all time. A follow-up DVD entitled "The Art of Peace" will release August 2008.
Tags: Songs for Tibet,Beijing Olympics