"Songs to hear during a pandemic" (Online Swap)

Performances through Zoom

PMN Members may use this registration form to sign up to share a song or a poem during this online event.  All PMN members who register to perform will receive an e-mail message with a link to PMN's Zoom video conference account.  Everyone performs through their own computer connection. 

Registration Deadline

The deadline to register is Tuesday, May 5 at 8:00 PM.  The order of performance will be released the following morning.  You may still register for this event after this time, but you will be added to the wait list.

The Topic

In this video conference event, PMN members are invited to share songs or poems on the topic of “What we need to hear during a Pandemic".  The whole planet has been in this pandemic for a few months now.  Many songs have been written in response already, and more are sure to come.  For this swap, consider a wide range of topics and angles.  We need to hear about the deep social injustices that the pandemic brings to the surface: racism, hatred toward immigrants, domestic violence, a healthcare system that prioritizes profits over people’s health, a prison system that sacrifices human life, and bailouts for the rich, which neglect working people.  We also need to hear songs that cultivate sensibilities and values of cooperation, concern for the oppressed, and commitment to struggle for a better society.  Finally, we need to hear songs that bring joy to our lives as we face a future full of uncertainty and danger.

Eligibility to Perform

Performers in this swap must:

1)   be PMN members in good standing* 

2)   register using this form

3)   have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.

* If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN

How we Select the Performers

Every PMN member wishing to perform at this event is invited to register and to do so sooner than later.  Selection for the final performer list, however, is not first-come first-served.  Instead, we will give priority to new PMN members as well as PMN members who have not yet performed in one of our previous online swap events.  In cases where the topic is specific, the relevance of a submission to the topic at hand may also be considered.  We hold these song swap events regularly.  If you miss one, anticipate more opportunities soon!

Tech Run Through

If you are selected to perform in this swap, you will receive an invitation to a tech run through taking place on Wednesday May 6, from 7:00-8:00 PM.   We will discuss how to get the best sound when sharing music on Zoom (more about this in next section).  Each person will have a chance to sing a verse of their song and receive feedback from the group on audio quality.  Artists who are new to zoom are strongly encouraged to attend this, because it can be a big confidence builder to learn how to use these tools. 

Improving the Audio Quality of your Performance

Using your computer's built in mic with Zoom's default audio settings is sufficient to participate and be heard.  The sound of a person singing normally comes across on Zoom somewhat better than a telephone.  Zoom applies audio compression filters to the sound of meetings by default.  The filters reduce background noise and echoes, but they also distort the frequencies of musical instruments and backing tracks.  Using a headset with a built in mic will increase the sound of your voice, because it puts the mic close to your mouth, but it won't improve the audio quality of instruments and backing tracks.  It is possible to significantly improve the audio quality of both voice and instruments by using an external USB mic or a USB audio interface device.  (See PMN discussion forum on, "What kind of External USB mic are you using to play music live online?").   Once you have the hardware in place, it is necessary to switch on an audio setting in Zoom under “Advanced”, which is called "enable original sound".  Enabling original sound removes Zoom's default audio compression, improving the sound of your performance.  Please see here for a useful tutorial about how and why to enable original sound in Zoom.    

You can create a free account on Zoom that allows you to record videos and hear how your sound comes across to others when using different settings and equipment.  Here is a video created by Ben Grosscup that demonstrates how using a USB mic and enabling “original sound” in Zoom can improve the audio quality of your performance (enter this password to unlock it: P9.0v1!B). 

Broadcast through Facebook Live

Anyone may tune in to the live swap at no cost, via PMN's Facebook Page, which is https://www.facebook.com/Peoples.Music.Network/

Get onto the page and scroll down until you find the video post with the word “Live” in the upper right corner. (Note: The livestream post won't pop up on the PMN page until 7:30pm (EST) on the night of the event.  If it is after 7:30pm EST and you don't see the livestream right away, keep scrolling further down until you see it.)

After the event, click on the “Videos” tab on the left side of the page to access a recording of the event.

Help Publicize!

Tell your friends how they can tune into this online musical event for progressive culture.  Share this event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/261558018362271/

Also, this is the link where you can find the performer list, which becomes available by the morning of Wednesday, May 6.