“What if we could use music to teach?” That’s a question Prince asked 3RDEYEGIRL: drummer Hannah Welton, bassist Ida Nielsen and me, as we were hanging out one day in the spring of 2015 at Paisley Park, his home and production studio complex in Chanhassen, MN.
It sounded like a pretty cool idea … but teach what? And how? This is a question I’ve been contemplating over the past several years. Now, in the midst of the most consequential decade in determining the quality of human life on Earth for generations, his question has evolved into a call-to-action that resonates with me more than ever.
I’ve experienced the transformative effect music can have on people throughout the world. As a unifying force, it brings people of all demographics together to feel something – joy, comfort, belonging, connection. Music can spark curiosity, new ideas, reflection, conversation and deeper understanding. It can evoke emotions, create memorable experiences, heighten the impact of words, and communicate that which words alone cannot.
Undeniably, there is tremendous potential to accelerate climate solutions by influencing the way people feel and relate to human impacts on Earth. As a force for social change, music and the arts play a vital role in igniting the cultural response needed to address the intersecting crises we face.
How does change happen? I’m curious to explore the connection between culture and policy relating to human impacts on the planet. I’m inspired to compose, record and perform music to the words of climate leaders – scientists, activists, Indigenous leaders, and more.
Please join me throughout this process as I contemplate, converse, compose, collaborate, and more. To follow the project from concept to creation, I invite you to sign up to the Culture vs Policy newsletter or find me on socials at @donnagrantis.