By Amy Eisen, news correspondent
Music styles are cyclical and different movements are always coming and going. More important than any single genre, however, is the movement to unite the world through music. This is exactly the goal of Playing for Change (PFC), a global movement to educate and bring peace through music.
Consisting of a series of albums, a foundation and a band, PFC has been able to reach millions of people across the planet. The Playing for Change Band, an assembly of ten musicians from eight different countries, breaks the convention of what it means to be a band. They’ll be stopping through Boston as part of their Peace Through Music Tour – playing The Wilbur Theatreon June 15.
Started in Santa Monica in 2002 by sound engineer Mark Johnson, Playing for Change has quickly grown into a global phenomenon. It all began with Johnson and his mobile recording studio, traveling around 45 countries, recording the best sounds from around the world.
“We would just show up on the street, listening for great music,” Johnson said. “Traveling in the context of music, you’ll be invited into worlds you never even knew existed.”
By recording and filming these musicians, PFC’s first album “Songs around the World” was able to reach over 200 million people. Their goal was to inspire and to use that inspiration for change. Johnson believes that depicting the joy of the musicians from some of the poorest and most war-torn places, like the Congo, can change the negative media conception. Rather than preaching or talking about violence, the musicians use song to educate people, and their fearlessness can inspire others. The music does the talking, and in ways everyone can understand.
The musicians of PFC vary in background, from street performers like New Orleans-based Grandpa Elliot, torock star Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Their new album, “Songs around the World III,” features 185 musicians from 31 countries. The album, which will be released onJune 17, has strong reggae and Latin influences and seeks to create a new type of world music.
“World music used to just be what wasn’t British or American,” Johnson said, “but now world music is just the world playing music.”
The world is more global than ever, and that means music is more connected, as well. PFC is able to seamlessly combine such a variety of styles because the musicians are not there for themselves, but for the message. They all share the same goal, to promote global unity and peace, and realize it’s more about the music than the individual. The musicians listen more and play less, says Johnson, and that creates music without ego. This is a stark difference to the largely money-oriented American music industry. Several famous musicians have become involved with PFC, such as Bono, and their new album will feature both Keith Richards and Sara Bareilles.
The Playing for Change Foundation, a separate charity dedicated to building music schools in places that are culturally rich but economically poor, like Ghana and Mali, has benefited over 700 kids in nine schools. A portion of the proceeds from the new album will go to the foundation.
PFC Band has toured four continents, playing major arenas and festivals. They performed at the United Nations in September 2013 and Johnson has spoken and promoted his message at 3 World Economic Forums. PFC has been able to have a strong global impact because music can transcend differences and connect people who have never met. Their online videos represent the global experience of music, and consistently receive millions of views.
Photo courtesy playingforchange.com.
