When a player runs his mouth or speaks a little too freely with a reporter in sports, it creates "bulletin board material."
Those remarks get seen eventually by the opposition, often resulting in firing up the other team and inspiring them to victory.
In politics, we have a red team and a blue team; in a full political season schedule, they are the only opponents on the schedule.
Democratic and Republican fundraising cycles are almost entirely fueled by citing danger or hypocrisy from the other side.
Full disclosure here early: I'm a lifelong Democrat, thankful for the gains that labor unions have won over the years, a believer of government as a possible solution for lots of problems, and even when it produces failed policy, I like being part of the party that I feel has its heart in the right place more often, on balance.
Yes, I'm writing this as a Democrat.
But I'm writing this more as a songwriter and musician.
This IS a music blog, so I want to talk about what happens when musicians, even ones whose votes and goals I agree with, run their mouth, create bulletin board material, and sometimes do more damage than help to their cause.
Let's face it when it comes to the Left's annoyance problem: Marc Maron nailed it when he said we "annoyed the average American into fascism."
Musicians Aren't Leaders
I've learned two things about live performance from my time on stage: 1) Show business is mostly babysitting drunks, and 2) Not everybody should have a microphone.
OK, I can say this as a musician: We're not normal.
Because we write songs that reach some people, it doesn't mean we necessarily have wisdom in any other field.
Yet, audiences listen to what songwriters and singers have to say, even though most people in reality wouldn't let an unknown musician park their car or get them a cup of coffee.
Musicians aren't "leaders." They're just loud citizens - or randos with microphones.
That's the best thing I can say about us.
What I'm afraid is also true that most working musicians were not "A" students.
Let's keep that in mind.
Where Do Musicians Speak Their Mind
This whole piece is gonna seem like I'm annoyed by political speech.
I'm not.
When it's sensible, reasoned, well-informed, or earned, I've got to respect it.
Furthermore, every citizen can have an opinion.
But I really am annoyed when the uninformed man-on-the-street citizen gets a louder voice.
Even when I roll my eyes at an influencer or singer doing their thing, where they do it is important.
If a songwriter can make a statement artfully in their music, then: chef's kiss!
I absolutely think lyrical music should be about way more than just love songs.
You're more likely to be original writing a song about politics than the 10,000 song about an unrequited crush or breakup.
Then between songs onstage, you might be likely to hear a singer give his or her opinion about politics.
Now, it's getting dicey.
Bono from U2 has walked the walk and I really believe in the causes he's passionate about.
But try to watch the video of his nonsense here without cringing
Where else do musicians talk politics?
Social media.
Sometimes they'll make a great point - but more often it'll be some virtue signalling about how Trump is an asshole.
Of course he is, but what are you actually saying in your reel, or who's mind are you trying to change?
What is your "ask"?
The other area you might hear what a musician thinks would be some guest piece in a publication.
Songwriting is a valuable and difficult skill.
So is essay writing.
Usually, people are not good at both.
So, the empty-calorie "I'm so tired about stupid MAGA voters" post does nothing.
Or what I really fear is if they are actually hurting the cause.
Most "political" musicians have zero real power - they're culture workers inside attention markets, not policymakers. And look again at Bono in the cringeworthy video above - is that "influence" or "narcissism"?
Who Are Musicians Talking To?
Musicians onstage in front of their audience and liberals on social media imagine they're speaking to the nation, but most of this clearly only reaches echo chambers, preaching to people who already agree.
Emotional venting is addictive but ineffective - liberals screaming about "don’t they understand X?!?!" creates dopamine hits but achieves nothing; it signals virtue without moving anybody.
Anger pieces feel passionate during the writing but might as well be ALL CAPS emails to your MAGA uncle.
It's chest-thumping therapy for the writer - but it comforts the already converted and alienates everyone else.
If Trump Voters DO Read Your Screed ...
Let's say these liberal posts do make their way to Trump supporters.
What's the effect?
Many have described Trump supporters as a cult.
I don't think that's incorrect either.
Identity fusion is a bitch.
Here is the definition from the Association for Psychological Science:
Identity fusion is a visceral sense of "oneness" with a group and its individual members that motivates personally costly, pro-group behaviors.
Which makes pushback dangerous.
I have a friend who eventually left Scientology after it decimated him financially and emotionally.
It took tremendous reflection and courage for him to do it.
Because it became his identity.
MAGA supporters aren't just Republicans or people who want to "own the libs".
It doesn't necessarily even have that much to do with politics or ideology.
MAGA rallies are social parties.
A naive, emotional swipe just strengthens their bond and hardens opposition. Trump supporters then aren't responding to policy - they're reacting to being antagonized.
Before posting, writing, or performing politically, maybe we should ask: am I clarifying or escalating? Am I helping undecideds or just helping my side feel righteous? Ignoring this is how well-intentioned people drive others away.
Take a Stand - But Check Yourself
Most people feel politically powerless.
Even famous musicians have that same feeling.
It's easy for an unknown local singers to talk a big game, but a touring act with a large fanbase and a brand/career that actually employs multiple people has a lot more at risk.
So, I admire the courage of being outspoken when there are consequences.
Rehashing cliched political takes to a group of like-minded people, not so much.
Yet even when I appreciate the earnestness and consciousness of a major artist putting their career on the line, they can sometimes produce awful songs with the best intentions.
You are not going to meet another person who loves and respects Tom Petty as much as me.
But his Rodney King era protest song "Peace in L.A." was a limp piece of protest music (aka "violence is bad").
Everything an artist should be afraid of: earnest, preachy, pretentious - all despite Tom's intentions.
To put it another way: If your political art only works for people who agree with you, is it persuasion or branding?
If Woody Guthrie wrote today, would he have a guitar or a content strategy?
I have no doubts about Woody, but it's unfair to compare the media situation of today to the one 60 or 70 years ago.
Fragmented media amps up the emotional volume.
In the 60s, mass broadcast let Woody Guthrie influence entire movements. Today, algorithmic micro-tribes reward outrage, likes and comments, not persuasion.
So, Genius - What Do You Propose?
Musicians, just like everybody else, get to have an opinion and organize for political goals.
And maybe we're wasting the microphone by saying nothing.
So what ideas are positive, effective, and not backfiring?
It should go without saying that I don't have the answers - I am just a musician, you know.
But I'll take a shot:
Non-Embarrassing Influence - Model calm public behavior, promote humanist values, platform local voices, or politely signal norms. These actions can influence behavior subtly, without hardening opposition.
And friendly peer pressure with an audience of 90% of people who agree with you - when you do it right, you might be able to actually reach the other 10% there.
Real Action - Thoughtful, courageous acts (voting, local organizing, risking status) are far more impactful than posting snarky political rants.
Keep Calm - Reactionary-style "let's rise up!" anger inflates ego, not change; it can radicalize the wrong people or repel undecideds.
Also, whoever is yelling in an argument is probably losing.
Rethink Protest Music in 2026 - Songs meant to inspire often function as identity reinforcement, not persuasion. The best way to combat this is to truly try to say something new; don't sing some warmed-over cliche like "love is good", "Trump is bad," etc.
Beyond that?
Examine your media diet. Are you happy?
Turn off the news once in a while.
Live your best life.
Sometimes, that's the best political act you can make.
