Reminder: Book drive competition ending on February 7th

New M.I.A. Music Video with sweet Stunts

Romain Gavras really freaked us all out when he directed MIA’s last music video starring a red-headicide. With “Bad Girls” he keeps us on the edge of our office chairs with some pretty insane car stunts. How do you get a car on 2 wheels?! M.I.A. is tough as nails.

See you on Monday for your Monday Mini Mixtape.

M.I.A, Bad Girls from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

President Obama references the mission to stop the LRA

President Obama referenced the mission to stop the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday. This is a big sign that things are going well.

“And when I decide to stand up for foreign aid, or prevent atrocities in places like Uganda, or take on issues like human trafficking, it’s not just about strengthening alliances, or promoting democratic values, or projecting American leadership around the world, although it does all those things and it will make us safer and more secure. It’s also about the biblical call to care for the least of these — for the poor; for those at the margins of our society.”

Read the full transcript of President Obama’s speech here via The Washington Post.

Segal Family Foundation

One of our amazing supporters, the Segal Family Foundation, is a young organization that uses a common sense approach towards making a difference in the lives and communities of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Like Invisible Children, they started out with a sincere curiosity to seek out an area of the world where there was the most need and could make an impact. The Segal Family Foundation’s funding has been focused on our Legacy Scholarship Program for female university scholars. Because of the Segal Family Foundation and other scholarship donors, 45% of our scholars are women in secondary programs. Incredible.

Read the inspiring article written by Martin Segal, the Managing Director of the the Segal Family Foundation here.

Behind KONY 2012 tour: Team Mid Atlantic

TEAM MID ATLANTIC
Kentucky, Raleigh (NC), Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC
EMILY BURCHETT, LAWRENCE BREMER, DYANNA JAYE & FREESIA LEVINE

Ugandan Roadie: Odong Kizito

Self-proclaimed team motto: “Are you ready to rumble?”

Honorable mention: They call themselves Lawrence and the Machine.

Team Mascots: Juba (like the peace talks) and Troupa (like the troops)

Welcome to the getting-to-know-the-roadies interview. Let’s start with where you’re from.

Dyanna Jaye (DJ): Chesapeake, Virginia.

Freesia Levine (FL): Santa Rosa, California.

Lawrence Bremer (LB): Winchester, New York

Emily Burchett (EB): Salt Lake City, Utah.

You guys were just informed of who your Ugandan teammate is going to be. Are you excited?

DJ: It’s Odong Kizito! We’re so excited!

Thad [our photographer]: He is the most amazing man – you are very lucky to have him.

EB: We can’t wait to meet up with him!

So, how did you guys come to be familiar with Invisible Children? How did your roads lead here?

DJ: In 2006 my World History teacher showed The Rough Cut to our high school class.

FL: I went to a screening of The Rough Cut.

LB: I got involved after I saw pieces of The Rough Cut in college in Connecticut.

EB: In high school I saw The Rough Cut, and then won the golden ticket from the GO documentary and won a trip to Uganda.

What are you most excited about in the coming months?

DJ: I am looking forward to seeing Kentucky since I’ve never been there. And I’m excited to go to DC since they have been lobbying the bill.

FL: I haven’t been to any of the places we’re visiting except DC so I’m excited for everywhere.

LB: I’m excited to be in DC during an election year!

EB: I’m looking forward to Kentucky and the accents.

And the hats! In the event of downtime, what is your favorite movie that you’ll try to get your teammates to watch?

DJ: Love Actually.

FL: Life is Beautiful.

LB: Step Brothers

EB: Jurassic Park, or The Guardian.

Nice. What about TV shows?

DJ: The Office.

FL: Friends.

LB: The Office.

EB: Modern Family, or Dirty Jobs.

If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

DJ: Banksy [the British street artist].

FL: Bell Hooks…I have a social justice crush.

LB: Emma Watson…there are no words.

EB: The Silver Fox [Sean Connery] and/or Ryan Gosling.

What is your biggest fear?

DJ: Climate change.

FL: Getting lost by myself in a car.

LB: When I see people standing close to the edge of a cliff.

EB: Shots and needles. And I have a weird fear of sleeping next to a window.

Hopefully none of you will have to face your biggest fears while out on the road. We’re so excited for you to go launch the KONY 2012 campaign – stop at nothing, Team Mid-Atlantic.

____________________

Team Mid-Atlantic wants to meet you at a screening. Call them to set one up at (619) 562-2799 Ext 180 or fill out this form.

[NEW RELEASE] Guards “Do It Again”

Our Artist Ambassador and buddies Guards just released a SoulTrain inspired, cameo-packed new music video for their single “Do It Again.” Don’t think we didn’t notice you, Austin (Lesands) and Robby (SD legend). Great work guys, we love it!

Flashback Friday: Yours Truly Presents: Middle Brother + Mountain Man

In 2010 Yours Truly filmed the debut performance Middle Brother and Mountain Man for us at our annual Holiday Benefit show at The Troubadour. The combo of three frontmen (Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit and John McCauley of Deer Tick) plus the three lovely ladies from Mountain Man made for an untouchable performance.

Yours Truly & Invisible Children Present: Middle Brother & Mountain Man from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Ivan & Alyosha Pledge Music Campaign for Invisible Children

Ivan & Alyosha played the Invisible Children Holiday Benefit show this last year and blew everybody’s mind. Not only are their songs phenomenal, but they’re some of the nicest guys we’ve had the chance to work with. Come to think of it.. we get to work with a TON of nice people. !

They’re making a new album and if you pledge to the album you can get signed vinyl, a Capella tracks, backstage passes or even private shows. 10% of all money they raise over their goal will go to Invisible Children.

Go here to support the making of this album:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/ivanandalyosha

Petition for an ethical iPhone 5

As the launch of the iPhone 5 looms and questions are rising about the the ethical production of Apple products, there are several groups that are taking action. Some Of Us has launched a petition that calls on the popular electronics giant to ensure a principled change in their production methods. I LOVE my iPhone and I want to (someday in the distant future) be able to purchase another without any moral qualms.

Sign the petition here.

-TM

Cillie Barnes covers Dawes for The Voice Project

Our good friends at The Voice Project are working to raise awareness about the conflict in Central Africa by encouraging amazing artists to cover songs by other amazing artists.

Their latest installment features a very sincere rendition of Dawes’ “Million Dollar Bill” by Cillie Barnes. I think I could listen to this song 100 times over, flip the tape, and listen to it 100 times more without growing tired of it. Enjoy.