March 29, 2025

From Sidewalks to Sousapaloozas: This Is Your Invitation to Play — Make Music Day Is for You | A Conversation with Aaron Friedman | Music Evolves with Sean Martin

42 minutes

Guest and Host

Guest: Aaron Friedman, Executive Director, Make Music Alliance | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-friedman-7068014/

Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast & Music Evolves Podcast | Website: https://www.seanmartin.com/

Show Notes

What if June 21st wasn’t just another day on the calendar—but the one day a year where the world collectively said: go ahead, make noise?

In this episode of Music Evolves, host Sean Martin talks with Aaron Friedman, composer and founder of the Make Music Alliance, about the day that flips the script on who gets to perform. Make Music Day isn’t about headliners, stages, or ticket sales. It’s about showing up with your sound—whatever that is—and putting it out into the world.

What started in 1982 as a spontaneous moment in the streets of France has become a global celebration of music made by everyone. And Aaron’s been part of growing that idea across more than 150 U.S. cities—and beyond. There’s no audition. No gatekeeping. Whether it’s a punk band on a rooftop, a saxophonist on a stoop, or 200 people sight-reading Sousa marches in a park, it’s all fair game.

What makes this work? A custom-built matchmaking platform connects performers with unexpected venues—think record shops, laundromats, patios, public steps. There’s even room for big group experiences like Mass Appeal, where companies donate instruments and anyone can join in. No gear? No problem.

Aaron shares why this kind of open access matters, especially now. In a world of algorithm-driven listening and self-curated playlists, real connection—hearing music you didn’t expect, played by someone you don’t know—hits different. It’s discovery in its purest form.

Make Music Day isn’t just about performance. It’s about participation. It’s about remembering that music doesn’t need permission—it just needs a spark.

So mark the date: June 21. Wherever you are, find a way to join in. Visit makemusicday.org to find your city or start your own.

Because the world doesn’t need more noise.

It needs more music. Your music.

Sponsors

Are you interested in sponsoring this show or placing an ad in the podcast?

Sponsorship 👉 https://itspm.ag/annual-sponsorship

Ad Placement 👉 https://itspm.ag/podadplc

Resources

Make Music Day: https://makemusicday.org/

Make Music Alliance: https://makemusicday.org/about/alliance/

Sousapalooza: https://makemusicday.org/national-projects/sousapalooza/

TuneFest Ireland: https://www.instagram.com/tunefest_dungarvan/p/DGsVzCUPW3F/