"Songs for Tibet" set for release in first week of Beijing Olympics
Sting, Dave Matthews, Alanis Morissette, John Mayer, & other top artists send a music message of support to Tibet and the Dalai Lama
Published on Jul 22, 2008 - 7:29:28 AM

By: Art of Peace Foundation

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 people¹s 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 Tibet's 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 Lama's promotion of peace.

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: www.ArtOfPeaceFoundation.org

For information about the situation in Tibet: International Campaign for Tibet: www.savetibet.org

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