Musicians For Kamala Livestream Brings Music Industry Together

The final poster for the Musicians for Kamala livestream tomorrow, September 17 at 8 EST.

Tomorrow, September 17, at 8 EST, a wide array of musicians, from Moby, The Flaming Lips Wayne Coyne and Bootsy Collins to Roseanne Cash, Sheila E and Mickey Guyton will pool their collective talents into a two-hour plus streaming telethon called Musicians for Kamala.

The event, intended to raise money for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run, is a collective endeavor between the music industry and political experts. People who want to tune in to see Lisa Loeb, Living Colour, Jack Johnson, Sage Bava, just added Evanescence and more, as well as appearances from Natalie Merchant, Shepard Fairey and more, can RSVP at MUSICIANS FOR KAMALA: A NATIONAL LIVESTREAM MUSICAL EVENT · The Democratic National Committee (democrats.org) where they will receive a link to join.

I spoke with two of the co-organizers, Jacob Tell and Nancy Rotering, about putting the event together.

Steve Baltin: There is a great history of protest music. Why is music such an important part of propelling political messages?

Jacob Tell: Music is an enduring force and the universal language. It fosters a sense of unity and common purpose, transcending barriers of language, race, class & geography. Most importantly, music moves our hearts and minds. Songs can serve as slogans, mantras, and rallying cries, and have the potential to create a sense of belonging in a movement, giving us something bigger than ourselves to believe in. Music moves people to take action.

Nancy Rotering: So much of successful political messaging is based on storytelling evoking emotions that results in action. Music often achieves the same outcome and can almost serve as shorthand for political messaging and its goals.

Baltin: When did that translate into the importance of musician endorsements?

Tell: Musicians hold a unique platform of influence, capable of amplifying messages that resonate on a deep societal level. Their powerful lyrics can give voice to the voiceless and raise awareness for issues that ripple across communities. The importance of musician endorsements lies in their ability to bring mass attention to causes, inspiring their audiences to engage and take action. For example, touring with and supporting musician Jack Johnson for over two decades taught me the importance of his deeply embedded environmental message in every facet of his work—from his music and live performances to his merchandise, foundations, and record label. His fans respond to this purpose driven form of expression, creating deep lasting connections. This kind of consistent, authentic advocacy shows how musicians can create lasting impact through their endorsements.

Rotering: Musicians as storytellers often develop signature motifs with a direct translation to political calls to action. Those who share similar values with their fans communicate in a unique and compelling way unmatched by other voices. Having their endorsement speaks efficiently and impactfully to their fans.

Baltin: How was the response to putting this event together?

Rotering: People were very excited to be involved; so much so, that we have more musicians than time and we will be creating a space for continued musical performance and engagement. Throughout the Harris-Walz campaign, there has been great enthusiasm by voters in connecting over shared interests and/or identities. The strong support for the candidates is enhanced through the broad range of communities being celebrated. So much of this campaign has been about recognizing the strength that comes from the diversity within our great nation, and events like Musicians for Kamala amplify that joy and sense of community, hopefully leading to increased political engagement.

Tell: The response to organizing this event has been incredibly inspiring. I was motivated by seeing other “For Kamala” livestream events— Black Women, White Dudes, Comedians, and Deadheads—come together. With my background in marketing, events, and the music industry, I knew that a “Musicians for Kamala” event could be a success if we built the right team. My passionate friends and longtime collaborators, John Lucchetti and Erik Koral, were the first to join. Then, we brought on Highland Park, Illinois Mayor Nancy Rotering, along with Shelly Hartman, and the Harris-Walz campaign. Soon after, Jeff Atlas and his Backhand Productions team came on board, and dozens of us began collaborating on daily production calls. The collective passion and energy has been overwhelming. Once the website, social media, and press release went live, we were introduced to an influx of management groups, publicists, record labels, and artists eager to participate and support this campaign.

Baltin: What do you hope people take away from this event?

Tell: What I hope people take away from this event is a sense of unity and purpose. First and foremost, I want people to understand the critical importance of registering to vote and exercising that right. Voting is our collective voice, and it’s essential for shaping the future we all care so deeply about. I also hope people see how music connects us across differences, creating a powerful bond that transcends individual backgrounds. We’re united not only by our shared love for music but also by a common passion to support Kamala Harris in her presidential bid. This event is about more than just politics—it’s about coming together to build a future that reflects the beauty, diversity, and strength of our society.

Rotering: I hope that in addition to having an exciting and entertaining experience, people take away the importance of political engagement by registering to vote, volunteering, donating, talking to other voters, and absolutely making a plan to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the November election.

SLSO takes classical music to the club with a DJ, symphony mash-up

Kasey Noss Special to the Post-Dispatch

By day, Mason Bates is a renowned classical composer whose symphonies have been performed by orchestras across the country. By night, he’s the equally as celebrated DJ Masonic, whose touring classical club show “Mercury Soul” is revolutionizing the way people experience orchestral and electronic music. With the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra this month, he gets to be both.

The SLSO presents “Symphonie Electronique,” a genre-defying electronic-dance-music party with sets by Bates and St. Louis DJ Alexis Tucci in tandem with SLSO’s own musicians.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Hawthorn.

“I’m thrilled to work with St. Louis Symphony musicians in a different kind of context, especially in the midst of a week of playing a completely different piece, you know, a violin concerto,” Bates says.

SLSO is also performing his new composition, “Nomad Concerto” featuring violinist Gil Shaham at “Symphonie Fantastique” on Sept. 27. The concert will also include Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” and his “Hungarian March” from “The Damnation of Faust,” as well as Brahms’ Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 3 and 10.

Alexis Tucci performs April 6, 2019, at Nightchaser at the St. Louis Science Center.

“I love doing this kind of thing, where we can travel through different kinds of musical languages, from a concert one night featuring a violin soloist to a DJ set,” Bates says.

Bates has made a career out of blending classical and electronic music in his work, both in the concert hall and the night club. He was nominated for the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for his electro-acoustic score for “The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs.”

Tucci, meanwhile, has over two decades of experience both curating and spinning at events that pair live and electronic music at venues around the world. When the opportunity to combine classical music with EDM presented itself to SLSO this year, Tucci’s name naturally came to mind.

“I’ve fantasized about bringing electronic music to the symphony because I have such respect for the institution,” Tucci says. “This was a perfect opportunity for us to create an event that pulls both the symphony crowd as well as the nightlife crowd and see if we can’t foster some new fans on both sides.”

Though Tucci has been spinning alongside live musicians for years, this is her first collaboration with orchestral musicians. Tucci, whose sets typically include disco, afro house and funky tech house, will be joined by Symphony violinist Asako Kuboki, as well as a blend of improvisational jazz and blues musicians from around St. Louis, whom Tucci has worked with before.

“I love improvisation and the unpredictable nature of that,” said Ben Reece, a St. Louis saxophonist and longtime instrumental collaborator of Tucci’s who will perform with her at “Symphonie Electronique.” “I think that some people have an idea of what a (DJ) does, which might be something programmed that’s a set way every time. But that’s completely the opposite from my experience. The DJ is reading the room, catering the set accordingly, and the live musicians really help accentuate that.”

Tucci thinks the improvising musicians and EDM will show a new side of classical music.

“The goal is to make electronic rhythms that are the underlying punch to the song, but then bring in live orchestration to further develop the track,” Tucci says. “No matter how many different tones are in electronic music, nothing beats the warmth of an original instrument, right? So I think the marriage between the two is really important for the progression of music and growing the audience beyond just EDM listeners.”

In contrast, Bates provided music for the brass ensemble from the symphony that will accompany him, but he hopes the musicians will also improvise during his set.

“We think of the orchestra as as kind of a set thing where you have to have 80 people on stage, but all of these players are phenomenal chamber musicians and soloists, so to see them in a different setting is going to be really great, whether it’s for people that are longtime symphony-goers, or for somebody that’s never seen the orchestra play.”

The evening will kick off at 8 p.m. with Tucci spinning atmospheric and ethereal tracks to set the mood, accompanied by dancers, poi artists and “Cirque du Soleil-esque” performers moving about the room.

DJ Masonic is set to go on at 9 p.m. followed by Tucci’s return at 10:30 p.m. Select Symphony and jazz musicians will be spotlighted throughout the night. Visitors can expect plenty of lasers and visuals. Alcohol will be served on-site.

“In contrast to the slightly over-lit vibe of a classical concert hall, this will be more of a club vibe. It’s not exactly gonna be a Pink Floyd show, but it’ll be something that is a little more mysterious,” Bates says.

“It’s a dance party, it’s a club show, but it has all these interactive parts that allow a Symphony audiencegoer to feel comfortable in the experience,” says Tucci, who has taken the lead in designing and programming the event.

“I hope that some of these kinds of innovations start to make it into how we present classical music,” Bates adds. “There are ways that you can shake things up, even in a traditional concert hall.”

What: "Symphonie Electronique" with DJ Masonic

When: 8 p.m. September 28

Where: The Hawthorn, 2231 Washington Avenue

How much: $45 (VIP $99)

More info: shop.slso.org/8295

View life in St. Louis through the Post-Dispatch photographers' lenses. Edited by Jenna Jones.

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Popular country music group definitely seems to be teasing a comeback after breaking up

Why would a country music group need fans’ email addresses for updates on news and music if it was disbanded?

Could be they have some stuff left in the catalog that has yet to be released. Could also be that the group is planning on making a comeback, and in this case, Rascal Flatts definitely seems to be teasing a comeback.

The latest clue came in the form of a post on X on Monday. The band posted a pair of pics from a concert and captioned it, “And they come from miles around, for that moment when the lights go out … Sign up for our email list to be the first to know.”

The first to know?

Click on the link and you get a form promising to email you updates regarding new music and news.

“Don’t tease us like this!!” one fan responded.

Taste of Country first reported that it looked like the band might be teasing a comeback last week, citing a few clues that predated the latest social media post.

At the top of the list, per the site, is an update to the top of the band’s Instagram page where they now have “What are we doing these days?” written with a pair of emoji eyes.

That comes, per Taste of Country, after the band shared a photo of itself on stage to Instagram last week with the caption, “We’re feeling nostalgic. Share your favorite Rascal Flatts tour memories and tag us so we can see them.”

The band also used the emoji eyes on that post, and fans seem to think that is a clue.

“A reunion would be awesome!” one person wrote. “My favorite memory was when I got to see y’all in Austin, TX and got to stand at the stage.”

“Still holding out for the farewell tour to be rescheduled!!” another wrote.

“Rascal Flatts tour in 2025???” another wrote.

Thus far, the band has not responded to the predictions and requests of a reunion, but it certainly seems like fans are down for it if that is where they are headed.

Per Taste of Country, Rascal Flatts had a farewell tour planned, but that was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band then disbanded.

Rascal Flatts first began performing in 1999 and produced a string of hits and piled up a slew of honors.

The group has 10 studio albums together.

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