Wis. Protests Inspire Morello’s ‘Union Town’—Download It Free

by James Parks, May 2, 2011

Singer Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine has always been a strong supporter of working people. Morello was so inspired after taking part in a demonstration and headlining a concert in February for the protesters at the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., that he wrote what he calls “fighting songs.”

Not only did he write and record the songs, he’s donating the proceeds of the new eight-song extended play (EP) “Union Town” to help working people. There’s more: For a limited time, you can download the title song free here.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler says this is a very special action by Morello.

Do you remember the last time a leading recording artist put out a labor EP? And do you remember one ever donating the proceeds entirely to the cause of workers’ struggles at a critical moment—or anytime?

The EP will be released in digital form on May 17 and on CD and vinyl on July 19 under Morello’s new deal with New West Records. Proceeds from sale of the album will go to the America Votes Labor Unity Fund to support mobilization for pushing back against the state attacks on workers.

“I was so inspired by what I saw in Madison,” Morello says.

It seems very much like we’re at an important crossroad, and that this movement was not just about stopping some bad legislation, but possibly harnessing the energy of 100,000 to 150,000 people who were in the streets and want to put some teeth back in the labor movement in the U.S.

Check out an interview with Morello today at Politico.com here.