Can A Music Video Change The World?

A band, a song, a website, and hundreds possibly thousands of music lovers worldwide will soon join forces to produce a user-generated music video about taking their "Leap of Faith."

What is a "Leap of Faith?" First, it is an inspirational song by Indie rock band Kindred Souls that is about overcoming obstacles and achieving personal triumphs.

"The song is about saying to yourself, 'I believe in you!' It means taking a great leap towards believing in yourself and what you can accomplish," says Kindred Souls singer-songwriter Jeff Rafferty.

Kindred Souls joined forces with international media social network website www.fotki.com to ask people to share photographs of their "Leap of Faith" - whatever that means to them. Fotki.com is based in 215 countries. This is an opportunity to collaborate on producing a video with people around the globe including photographers, proud parents and grandparents, students, athletes, performers, and non-profits.

To be in the music video, visit www.fotki.com or www.kindred-souls.com. Download the song for free, and submit a photo and a brief story about your "Leap of Faith."

The contest starts May 7 and photos will be accepted for two weeks. After that, fans will be asked to vote for their favorites. The photos will be compiled into a music video for the song "Leap of Faith" and launched on YouTube and on www.kindred-souls.com.

"We will include as many photos as possible in the video and donate $100 to the favorite charity of whoever submits the most popular photo," says Kindred Souls songwriter and keyboardist Lon Bachrach.

What inspired Leap of Faith? Band founders Rafferty and Bachrach agree it was drawn from overcoming some of their own personal struggles, which includes trying to achieve success for their music.

Playing in clubs ranging from Asbury Park's Stone Pony to New York's Knitting Factory, Kindred Souls is an all-original rock-n-roll band whose music has shades of blues, jazz, R&B, funk, and soul. The band features bassist Stan Quincy Adams, guitarists Ted Heman and Jeff Samet, and drummer Paul Lavenhar.

"There isn't anything else that I can do but make music. Being a musician is who I am," says Bachrach. "Part of our message is to tell other artists and folks of vision, who are the carriers of creativity's torch, don't stop! Continue to share, to create, and to believe. Take your leap of faith!"