about
Songs That Save Our Lives (STSOL) is an ongoing collaborative project exploring the power of music and storytelling to express, heal, and connect.
Recognizing that songs hold meaning and memory, poetry and presence, we bring people together to share the moments that have shaped their lives — through the music that carried them, and the stories that tell us why.
In music, we find reflections of our own humanity — reminders that we are not alone, even in our darkest hours.
one song, one story at a time,
we gather to honor the ways music saves us.
This project gathers real stories about how music has helped people live —
and then brings people together to experience those songs performed alongside the stories that reveal why they matter.
live event series:
Individuals are invited to share 1 song that holds special importance, medicine, or memory to them
— by providing a link to the original recording artist’s track, along with the story of its meaning in their lives.
Stories can be submitted as an audio message or as a written reflection (up to 3 minutes or 1 page, in their own words). Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, and submitters become eligible to share their stories at one of STSOL’s live events and/or through the STSOL online libraries.
open call submissions:
The collection of stories and photographs from each live event become a new multimedia volume
in the STSOL online libraries; they’re accompanied by a playlist of the original song tracks and a playlist of the audio stories. Online libraries are available freely, with a contribute-what-you-can option.
online libraries:
Through the open call process, stsol coordinates in-person events featuring live music and storytelling.
The lineups alternate between house band METAMORFOS performing a cover of the submitted song and its submitter sharing the story of its meaning. Each lineup includes approximately 10-14 tune + tale pairings and highlights an additional guest vocalist on selected tracks.
Events are open to all ages, and children are welcome.
save the date
Upcoming Performance:
June 27 — Keshet Center for the Arts
details coming soon…
SONGS THAT SAVE OUR LIVES is presented by:
