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LONELINESS, THE EPIDEMIC:Reclaim Connection One Beat at a Time.


Loneliness today is more than a transient emotion—it has become an epidemic with tangible, devastating effects. 

Consider the stark statistics: one in six individuals worldwide feels lonely, and this isolation is linked to over 871,000 deaths each year. 

Loneliness not only inflicts emotional pain; it doubles the risk of depression and dramatically increases the chances of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. 

Furthermore, employers face billions in lost productivity and turnover costs annually. At its core, this crisis is rooted in a profound lack of human connection—a condition that undermines both our health and our economy. 

It is a call for renewed emphasis on community, empathy, and genuine companionship.

 
GENRE AS A VEHICLE FOR HEALING  
 

To battle this epidemic, we turn to music—a universal language that surpasses cultural and stylistic biases. 

The chosen genre is a precursor of jazz—ragtime enriched with dynamic jazz elements. This musical form is celebrated for its emotional neutrality and historical resonance. 

Ragtime and jazz, with their distinct instrumental and string sections coupled with a soulful tenor sax, provide a canvas that can bridge personal and cultural divides. 

This approach serves several key purposes:

• Neutrality and Inclusivity: Drawing on the ragtime roots of jazz bypasses modern biases, offering a medium that captivates diverse audiences with its timeless appeal.  

• Danceable and Upbeat Energy: The rhythmic, danceable cadence is intentionally crafted to elevate spirits and inspire movement—both physically and emotionally.  

• Clarity and Articulation: Featuring a male voice with clear diction guarantees that the motivational message is conveyed unambiguously, engaging the intellect and heart alike.

 
LYRICS: A CALL TO CONQUER LONELINESS  

The lyrics of “Loneliness” are a rallying cry against isolation. They reframe solitude as “the absence of someone else,” while describing emptiness simply as space filled with potential for warmth and connection. 

Each verse is a call to action—urging listeners to take a step, lend a hand, and unite to overcome isolation. 

The journey depicted in the lyrics moves from shadows into light, suggesting that collective action and shared kindness can transform our realm of darkness into one of hope. 

The powerful outro further reinforces this message by inviting each listener to add their voice to a communal chorus of hope, emphasizing that when individuals engage, share, and belong, loneliness can be conquered.

Loneliness—2

Maui Winter

Self titled debut album.  Produced by Mark Murphy

Recovery

(Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!)
There is a collage of photographs on the wall
Of people at the party in a drunk ass pose
The sticky wood floor starts to vibrate
The dj turns it up and the energy grows
A collage of photographs on the wall
Light from a nearby beer sign glows
And all of this time
All of these words
All of these people
Getting wasted
Getting wasted now
Here I am in the same place again
Like a recurring dream with no end
The crowd drifts in like a herd with no direction
Grazing on the meaningless stale conversation
There’s a line for the keg even though it’s been dead
But nobody wants to think that’s just too far ahead
And the mistake that I make is to try to come awake
In a place you’re supposed to get shitfaced or baked
And everybody’s talking (Hey! Hey!) and nobody’s listening (Hey!)
And nobody’s feeling that something is missing
Let’s just pound another one in the name of having fun
Let’s just burn another one in the name of having…
It’s just not that fun
There is a collage of photographs on the wall
Of people at the party in a drunk ass pose
The sticky wood floor starts to vibrate
The dj turns it up and the energy grows
A collage of photographs on the wall
Light from a nearby beer sign glows
And all of these words
All of this time
All of these people
Getting wasted
Oh getting wasted now
She slams another shot so she won’t be afraid
When she trades in lonely for a night to get laid
He slams another shot so he won’t be afraid
If you don’t want to see your shadow you can hide in the shade
It just feels so good to be touched
It doesn’t matter who at least not that much
(Hey! Hey!)
And everybody’s talking and nobody’s listening
And nobody’s feeling that something is missing
And everybody’s talking and nobody’s listening
And nobody’s feeling but somebody’s missing
I don’t want to laugh no I don’t want another beer
Lord take me away from here
I slide outside into the cold under the stars
And I think about just where you are and it kills me...
Oh Lord...
And it kills me...
And you know that I still...


Wookiefoot - Kegger

Lessons & Blessings

Sit & Listen (feat. Mihali)

Three Mirrors

Trevor Hall - Lady Love

Anytime You Need Me

Michael Franti is a globally renowned musician, humanitarian, and activist, celebrated for his high-energy live performances, socially conscious music, and unshakable optimism. With three Billboard No. 1 hits—“Sound of Sunshine,” “Say Hey (I Love You),” and “I Got You”—and a track record of six Top 30 Hot AC singles, 10 Top 25 AAA singles, and three Billboard Top 5 albums, Franti has built a career on music that uplifts and unites. His concerts break down barriers between artist and audience, transforming venues into spaces of joy, connection, and shared humanity.

On March 28, 2025, Franti released his 14th studio album, Welcome to the Family, a collection of 13 new songs that embrace themes of inclusivity, self-discovery, and resilience. The lead single, “Break Up With Everything,” is currently climbing the US AAA charts, setting the tone for an album that channels personal and global challenges into anthems of hope and change. “Every one of us has a family—whether by birth, circumstance, or choice. When you put all those together, they form the world family. Right now, the world is filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and division. This album is about taking those emotions—what I experience every day—and turning them into music that reminds us we are never alone.”

To bring this message of connection to life, Franti will embark on the Welcome to the Family Tour, a nationwide summer trek with stops at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Pier 17, and more. Known for his immersive concert experience—where he often performs from the crowd, invites fans on stage, and fosters a true sense of togetherness—each show is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of unity and positivity.

Beyond music, Franti is the founder of Soulshine Bali, a forty-room, five-star boutique retreat in Ubud, Indonesia, dedicated to wellness, creativity, and human connection. He and his wife also founded Do It For The Love, a nonprofit that grants live music experiences to individuals facing life-threatening illnesses, veterans, and children with severe challenges. Since its inception, the foundation has granted over 3,500 wishes, touching more than 15,000 lives worldwide.

Franti’s career is defined by his ability to turn hardship into hope, fostering unity through music, activism, and philanthropy. Whether on stage, at his Bali retreat, or through his foundation, his purpose remains the same: to bring people together, lift spirits, and remind us all that we are part of something bigger. With Welcome to the Family, he continues to create not just music but a movement of love, inclusivity, and transformation.

Anytime You Need Me

Michael Franti & Spearhead