VIA PRESS RELEASE | 501(c)3 non-profit organization Noise for Now in partnership with the Artist Rights Alliance announce Songs for Sex, out October 18th via their recently launched label which is distributed worldwide through ADA. Benefitting The National Women’s Health Network, the compilation features 16 exclusive tracks from Andrew Bird, Ella Vos, Erin McKeown, CAKE, Katie Malco, Kev Decor, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, My Brightest Diamond, Rett Madison, Robert Ellis, sym fera, Tanner Porter, Thao, The Album Leaf, Tift Merritt, and Trousdale. It will be available on all platforms to stream and purchase.
Songs for Sex is the brainchild of GRAMMY® nominated artist Tift Merritt—a response to the dangerous policies outlined in The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Executive Producers, Merritt and manager Victoria Roe enlisted the support of musicians to meet the moment, gathering songs that counter Project 2025’s shame and stigma around sex with songs of tenderness, anger, and defiant joy. “We all have stories about how these regressive steps backwards play out in our lives, and in the lives of people we love,” notes Tift. “I hope these songs open your heart to how important it is to stand up for bodily autonomy, reproductive freedoms, privacy and more love in the world no matter what it looks like.”
Trousdale notes, “‘How To Be 18’ tells the story of a young woman who has made the incredibly difficult decision to seek an abortion in a state where it is illegal to do so. While the political conversation around abortion in this country often centers on life-threatening circumstances, we wanted to focus on the more common reason women seek it: simply not being ready to bring a child into the world.” They add, “In addition to reproductive rights, Project 2025 targets the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and undermines protections for marginalized communities. We’re proud to be part of the fight for the basic human dignity that every person deserves.”
Noise for Now enables artists and entertainers to connect with and financially support grassroots organizations that work in the field of Reproductive Justice including abortion access. Ninety percent of the album’s net proceeds will be donated to the National Women’s Health Network, an organization that improves health by strategically shaping policy, expanding access, and providing accurate, unbiased information.
Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth, Executive Director, National Women’s Health Network, notes, “Project 2025 poses a profound threat to bodily autonomy, quality health care, comprehensive sex education, LGBTQIA+ rights, and other essential freedoms. The National Women’s Health Network (NWHN) stands firmly against these repressive ideals and the devastating consequences they would have. We are proud to partner with Noise for Now and the Artists Rights Alliance in rejecting the dangerous policies outlined by Project 2025. We stand together in not only resisting, but also forging our own path toward empowerment and liberation.”
The new compilation is the third benefit compilation from Noise for Now. It follows the release of Noise for Now Vol 2 in June which features 11 exclusive tracks from Faye Webster, The War On Drugs, Courtney Barnett, David Byrne and Devo, MC50 ft. Arrow De Wilde, Big Freedia, SOFIA ISELLA, Julia Jacklin, Becca Mancari, Claud and AJ Haynes (of Seratones).
Noise for Now Vol 1—a special vinyl-only limited edition album featuring tracks from Maya Hawke, Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell, Bully, Wet Leg, My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, and more, was released in November 2023 and is available on clear vinyl via the Noise for Now store HERE. These songs were originally found on the 2022 digital-only benefit compilation, Good Music To Ensure Safe Abortion Access To All, which was available for only 24 hours via Bandcamp and, along with the t-shirt sales featuring the album’s Kim Gordon-created “Liberate Abortion” cover art, grossed over $230,000.
