My Morning Jacket Channels Protest & Compassion On New Benefit Album ‘Peacelands’

My Morning Jacket are throwing their support behind the citizens of Minneapolis with the release of Peacelands, a fresh acoustic set of originals and choice covers available now via Bandcamp. Proceeds from the 14-track collection will be distributed to crucial nonprofit organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Doctors Without Borders and the International Rescue Committee.

Peacelands was recorded by Shawn Everett in Los Angeles at EastWest Studios’ famed Studio Three. The set of mostly unreleased tracks includes unplugged versions of MMJ and Jim James favorites such as “I’m Amazed” and “Here In Spirit,” along with stripped-down covers of peaceful protest songs like Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” The Velvet Underground’s “I Found A Reason” and Brian Wilson’s “Love & Mercy,” among others.

Jim James detailed the origins of the album’s title. “‘Peacelands’ is a word and concept created by visionary Louisville artist Mark Anthony Mulligan, an imaginary land of peace, friendship, and equality he created in his artwork – a place where folks listen to each other and find a way to get along in peace, friendship, and togetherness – despite their differences,” explained James.

Read the rest of Jim James’ statement below:

I think about this word “Peacelands” in our world all of the time, especially in troubled times, and we believe that it’s still possible for us to achieve Mark’s vision of Peacelands – a world of love and friendship – if only we can learn to listen, love, and forgive in paths of peace, acceptance, and tolerance.

We stand with the people of Minnesota and everywhere else affected by the horrors of ICE brutality and lack of human decency or transparency from this administration.

There is room for everyone to be safe and free and at home in this vast world and we need to find a new path together to safe and humane immigration policy and reform rooted in peace and love… safety and equality… and new systems of fairness, freedom, and transparent justice for all.

ALL PROCEEDS from “Peacelands,” an album of mostly unreleased, acoustic peaceful protest songs – some covers and some of my own – that we released today exclusively on @bandcamp, will go to organizations like @aclu_nationwide fighting for our safety and freedoms here at home, as well as @doctorswithoutborders and @rescueorg – organizations working hard to help heal the horrors of war and terror around the globe… working around the clock to help move us all towards “Peacelands.”

Artwork artist is unknown and comes from a handmade wood carving I found years ago at a second-hand store in Missoula called Circle Square.

Stream/purchase My Morning Jacket’s Peacelands compilation below:

My Morning Jacket has a series of festival plays on the books for 2026. View all currently confirmed dates below.

Peacelands Tracklist

1. Why Can’t We Live Together (Timmy Thomas)
2. New World Coming (Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil)
3. Love and Mercy (Brian Wilson)
4. Here In Spirit (Jim James)
5. Rainbow Power (Timmy Thomas)
6. I’m Amazed (Jim James)
7. Don’t Lose Your Eye (Sonny Boy Williamson)
8. Changing World (Woody Guthrie and Jim James)
9. State Of The Art (Jim James)
10. Blowin’ In The Wind (Bob Dylan)
11. Everything Must Change (Benard Ighner)
12. In The Moment (Jim James)
13. Together Again (Buck Owens)
14. I Found A Reason (Lou Reed)