Songs of Love and Protest

“Songs of Love and Protest” is a collective of musicians who are using their voices to rise up against the current administration’s unlawful policies and attacks on our democracy. We are standing together to share our songs of protests at a time when we cannot be silent. This is a benefit show, with each artist selecting an organization to benefit from their donations. The charities selected are Democracy Now, YES!, NPR, Democracy Docket, SF-Marin Food Bank, and the ACLU. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to these organizations.

Matt Langlois (The Welcome Matt, Matt EL) is a long time singer songwriter/ composer based in San Francisco. Matt has been the music director and composer for SF Bay Area contemporary dance company CALI&CO DANCE for over ten years and is credited as co-writer on “San Francisco” with German electro pop singer CASCADA.
https://www.welcomemattsf.com
https://facebook.com/thewelcomematt
instagram.com/welcomemattmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/welcomemattmusic

Austin Willacy is a community organizer who uses music as a tool for peacebuilding with a focus on environmental, racial, and gender justice. He is an award-winning singer/songwriter with 4 CDs and 3 EPs to his name and a veteran member of The House Jacks, a pioneering a cappella group with whom he has produced 10 full-length albums and completed multiple world tours.
https://www.austinwillacy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/austinwillacy/
https://www.youtube.com/@AustinWillacy

Whether you regard him as an acoustic singer-songwriter, a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist, John Lester’s talent is undeniable. His first protest song, “Out of the Clear Blue Sky” was initially released as part of the UK/International compilation album “Peace Not War” in 2003. The other Americans on the project were Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco, and Public Enemy. Since that time John has released 5 albums and continues to tour internationally with his solo bass/voice show.
https://www.johnlestermusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/johnlestermusic/
https://www.youtube.com/@JohnLesterMusic

Late But Ready is the Americana duo of singer/songwriters Lindsey McFarland and Drew Pearce, founder of the Secret Song Club house concert series and formerly of the band Darrington.
https://www.insidelands.org/late-but-ready
https://soundcloud.com/drew-pearce-1
https://www.youtube.com/@drewpearcepresents

Aireene Espiritu plays a mix of stompin’, swayin’, timeless and soulful Americana reminiscent of front porch storytelling, of ghosts and the living, times of laughter and tears. She is also part of Filipina folk trio, The Sampaguitas, and creator, producer of A Color-Coded Symphony Project whose aim is to nurture intercultural openness and explore how we are connected to the rest of the world.
https://instagram.com/aireenee
https://www.facebook.com/aireenemusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/decibelleq/featured

Amie Penwell‘s music walks a fine line between piano-driven pop, soul and country while maintaining an alternative aesthetic which allows her the freedom to mold, shape, bend and blend the various styles which influence her the most, joining the likes of Annie Lennox and Aimee Mann, and Peter Gabriel.
https://amiepenwell.co/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClZFNP8SNnT26yi9EtO-Ilg
https://www.instagram.com/amiepenwell/