Audible Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, today announced its next slate of renowned artists to create and perform ‘Words + Music’ originals, including: Alice Cooper, Elvis Costello, Laura Jane Grace, Dave Matthews, Sharon Van Etten, and Eddie Vedder. The ‘Words + Music’ Audible initiative marries music and storytelling in one-of-a-kind audio experiences, designed exclusively to be heard. These groundbreaking artists join other legends in the Audible ‘Words + Music’ vault, including, Patti Smith, Smokey Robinson, Yo-Yo Ma, Billie Joe Armstrong, James Taylor, Alanis Morissette, Tom Morello, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, St. Vincent, Common, Sting, Rufus Wainwright, Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, Rhiannon Giddens, Tariq Trotter, Steve Earle,  Jonathan Biss, and T Bone Burnett.

Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios, commented: “The prolific artists joining our ‘Words and Music’ slate have created some of the most groundbreaking music of our time, inspiring millions of people across the globe.  We are thrilled to give our audience a front row seat to the stories and experiences behind the music we all know and love. These projects will provide an intimate glimpse, revealing how beloved music was made and how these artists continue to create, inspire and entertain fans.”

Upcoming ‘Words + Music’ releases include:

Laura Jane Grace – Black Me Out:

Premiere Date: September 2, 2021

In an inspiring examination of identity and creativity, the founder and frontwoman of notorious punk band Against Me! will recount the story of her life, her rise to fame, and the painful but powerful moments that have led her to where she is now. Accompanied by new interpretations of her most personal and political songs, Laura traces her intersecting narratives as a punk rock anarchist navigating the mainstream music industry, and trans woman struggling to live as her true self.

Elvis Costello – How to Play the Guitar and Y:

Premiere Date: September 16, 2021

Costello’s literary and musical brilliance are on full display in this utterly immersive, unrelentingly playful audio-work of comedic philosophy. Part masterclass, part madcap guitar-manual – in this show, the ‘little hands of concrete’ himself delivers a love letter to the guitar, to music, and to the restorative power of “play.” Listen, and you may just find success, like summer, is just a swallow away.

Alice Cooper - Who I Really Am: The Diary of a Hollywood Vampire:

Premiere Date: October 7, 2021

An artist and persona without parallel, Alice Cooper’s over-the-top theatricality and music inspired every known flavor of Rock that would follow. It was an image so shocking for its time, the only thing it couldn’t draw focus from was the extraordinary songwriting. But who’s the man behind the madness? In this Audible Original, Cooper introduces listeners for the first time to the person that built the persona and why, as Alice Cooper trips through a life of the unsavory haunts of a legendarily shambolic good times on a Sunset Strip where only Vampires are found lurking.

Eddie Vedder – I Am Mine:

Premiere Date: October 21, 2021

The singular, iconoclastic icon of the Seattle underground, who led a takeover of 90s global culture, dives deep in reflecting on a life at the intersection of art, sensitivity, masculinity, and ascendant pop/rock-super stardom that defined an age. This generational talent delivers a raw, emotional story on the perils and joys of fame, friendship, and a life in art. I Am Mine was produced in collaboration with Gunpowder & Sky, as part of their deal with Audible announced last year.

Sharon Van Etten – All I Can:

Premiere Date: November 4, 2021

Sharon Van Etten will tell the yet untold personal stories behind her heart-wrenching and beloved catalogue. Through raw divulgences from her past, and new recordings from each of her pristine and emotionally haunting albums, Sharon builds her own narrative as a survivor who has found strength in her own vulnerability and creativity.

Dave Matthews – untitled

Premiere Date: To Be Announced

Through story and song, Dave Matthews leads listeners on an aural journey into our shared humanity. An expedition filled with moments of personal insight, and global impact, scored by new renditions of the music that made him a defining voice in global, popular music. His is a story of hope and advocacy; a reflection on the bittersweetness and urgency of living.

All Audible ‘Words + Music’ releases to date can be found here.

“Songs That Shook The Planet” reintroduces listeners to indelible songs from artists who literally put their lives on the line to speak truth to power and provides a soundtrack of civil uprising that is perhaps even more powerful and relevant today.

The Audible Original  takes listeners on an extraordinary journey through politically and socially conscious music. Part history lesson and part memoir, Songs That Shook the Planet spans genres and decades to call out the brave artists who continue to inspire necessary change in the world.

You’ll hear the stories behind legendary tracks as well as the songs themselves, performed by Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Too Short, and more. Listening is both empowering and haunting; too often the artists paid a shocking price for their ability to articulate injustice so forcefully. Chuck D makes the experience even more revelatory by adding his own reminiscences about how the songs—many heard on the record player at home that his mother kept spinning with a stunning range of music—influenced his early life and his own career as an agent of change.

Audible’s Words + Music franchise provides a unique outlet for musical icons to defy traditional formats and go beyond simple artist biography, resulting in a profoundly intimate performance through-line that is truly unique to the Audible experience. Songs That Shook the Planet is in good company with Audible’s expansive Words + Music catalogue, including previously released originals from Tom Morello, Smokey Robinson, Tariq Trotter, Rhiannon Giddens, Elvis Costello, Gary Clark Jr., James Taylor, Common, T Bone Burnett,  Laura Jane Grace, Yo-Yo Ma, Eddie Vedder, and more (full catalogue can be found HERE).

Song Selections Included in the Audible Original:

    Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit
    Curtis Mayfield - People Get Ready
    Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
    Edwin Starr - War Live
    Marvin Gaye - What's going On?
    Stevie Wonder - Living For The City
    Bob Marley - Get Up, Stand Up
    The Special AKA - Nelson Mandela
    Too Short - The Ghetto

Audible Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, today announced a new slate of renowned musicians who will create and perform original “Words + Music’ productions designed for Audible listeners. New artists to join the ‘Words + Music’ fold include one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, Mariah Carey, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, rock legend Carlos Santana, singer, songwriter, and record producer Beck, The Who's guitarist and principal songwriter Pete Townshend, comedy rock duo, Tenacious D, comprised of Jack Black and Kyle Gass, and rapper and actor yasiin bey. Shining a light on today’s most significant artists, Audible’s collection of musical narratives reflect the unique creative visions of a plethora of award-winning entertainers. This new slate will kick off with Pete Townshend’s Somebody Saved Me streaming free on Audible starting on May 6 in the US, followed by the release of Words + Music installments from Beck on July 1 and Tenacious D on August 5. Additional project dates and details will be announced at a later date.

In the Audible Original Somebody Saved Me, co-produced by Audible and Gunpowder & Sky, Pete Townshend takes us through the period between the 1978 death of Who drummer Keith Moon and the 2002 loss of bassist John Entwistle. During these 24 years, The Who enjoyed their greatest popularity—and broke up. But no matter how much he tried to deny it, The Who had a hold on Pete he could not ignore. Every time he thought he was out, rock ‘n’ roll pulled him back in. Townshend is honest about his victories and his failures in years spiked with conflict and resolution, the sacred and the profane, love and loss. Townshend punctuates his memories with the songs that came out of his life in that time - “Let My Love Open the Door,” “Slit Skirts,” “You Better You Bet,” “Eminence Front,” and more.

“Combining the very best of music and memoir, Audible’s Word + Music offerings transport our listeners to the defining and formative moments in the lives of world class musical talent,” said Zola Mashariki, Head of Audible Studios. “The Words + Music brand represents a unique blend of expansive, emotional and intimate storytelling and we are honored to welcome this new cohort of talented musical artists to the Audible family as they continue to create the soundtrack of culture.”

Among the iconic musicians who have contributed to the existing extensive slate of ‘Words + Music’ originals for Audible are Eddie Vedder, Yo-Yo Ma (“feels like an intimate recital from a chatty and approachable virtuoso” – The New York Times), James Taylor (“unique storytelling and musical experience” – USA Today), Patti Smith (“the hybrid form feels completely natural to her talents” – The New York Times), Common, Sharon Van Etten (“more personal than anything she’s put out yet” – Vogue), Laura Jane Grace (“intimate and beautiful” – People), Rhiannon Giddens (“combines her depth of music lore with a gift for storytelling” – Variety), Tariq Trotter (“in-depth look” – The Grio), Smokey Robinson (“allows you to be surprised again by his genius” – Los Angeles Times), Rufus Wainwright (“just like in his music, he opens himself up wide to the world” – Forbes), Alanis Morissette (“raw commentary” – Bustle), St. Vincent (“…thoughtful, perspicacious, and deeply funny...” – The Advocate), Jonathan Biss (“raw and insightful” – NPR), Alice Cooper, Elvis Costello, Tom Morello, Billie Joe Armstrong, T Bone Burnett, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Liz Phair, Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein, Sting, and Chuck D.

For more information on the Audible Original Words + Music collection, please visit www.audible.com/words+music.