Heave Media

A Cause For Attention

The Global Music Project asks you to download music - and save the world.

With all the negative connotations music downloads have picked up over the years, it’s about time organizations push for positive momentum. Charity tracks have been appearing now and again from artists and labels, but The Global Music Project brings the idea to a new level.

Site users can browse by genre, artist, or country and listen to music for free. When a track is downloaded for $1 (customers may also choose to donate a higher amount), the proceeds go toward the project’s music discovery programs and music preservation efforts. Artists may also donate the use of an original song, which expands the network of available tunes and provides the artist with free promotion.

Placing importance on the preservation of the world’s music heritage, the Global Music Project seeks to showcase recorded music and video footage from developing cultures around the world, and provide marketing and distribution for the recordings globally. The collaborative non-profit organization is supported by music fans, artists, progressive businesses, social activists, event promoters and others, “Who believe that music can inspire humanity and better the world.”

The now small company has big hopes for the future. A three year design and implementation plan is based on the goal of investigating which cultures in the world are most in need of preservation, then traveling to the chosen countries with audio and video teams to produce products (audio recordings and television shows) for mass public consumption. In doing this, the promotion of cross-cultural understanding can grow through the appreciation of music.

When the true folk songs of one culture spill to another, their meanings travel with them, and there is no denying that music expression is among the most powerful communication we have. Even if “world music” isn’t yet a common genre heading in your music player of choice, a true music lover will always be looking for a new place to find musical solace. Whether it’s a samba or a pan flute may yet to be discovered.

Explore. Preserve. Download. And perhaps even help save the world.

Posted by Leen Morrissey on Feb 14, 2008 @ 12:00 am