People Have the Power, the new podcast from esteemed music journalist Steve Baltin, debuts today on the American Songwriter Podcast Network with new episodes every other Tuesday. Each show features an in-depth conversation with an artist or celebrity on their favorite protest songs. Upcoming guests include John Densmore, Carlos and Cindy Santana, Alanis Morrisette, Gavin Rossdale, Fantastic Negrito, and Indigo Girls.
Episode one features contemporary artist Shepard Fairey discussing how songs by the Clash, Bob Marley and Public Enemy shape his art. Regarding Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” Fairey said, “Chuck D with so many different lyrics opened my eyes. I did a whole series of art (in 2004) called Most Of My Heroes Don’t Appear on Stamps just because of that lyric.” Listen to the podcast to find out who Fairey would add to the series today.
Baltin shares, “I have always been drawn to music that delivers a message, from John Lennon and Bob Marley to U2 and Rage Against The Machine. Music can have a profound impact and I want to share that same message. Basically these icons are playing DJ, and I am just the conduit to sharing their choices. It is inspiring, fascinating, educational, and fun. Who wouldn’t love talking to Carlos Santana about John Lennon and John Densmore about Bob Dylan?”