Creating His Own Gap "Vote For ____." t-shirt Inspired Singer/Songwriter Matt White to Write a Song About Expressing Yourself and Following in the Footsteps of Those Who Came Before Us

SAN FRANCISCO, October 15, 2008 – As part of Gap’s recent “Vote for” launch, a campaign that provides a platform for Americans to express their passions, opinions and ideas this election year, Gap has teamed up with musician Matt White to write and produce “Songs Of Freedom.”  The unique song is about the power and importance of self expression and recognizing those who came before us.

The song was inspired by the campaign’s customizable iconic white t-shirt that simply says, “Vote for ______.”, designed for voters to fill in the blank with whatever word, expression or presidential candidate they are passionate about.

“I wrote ‘Vote for Love.’ on my shirt, which got me thinking about everything else that I have to say,” said Matt White. “So I started collaborating with Gap on a song about just that – expressing yourself. It’s called ‘Songs Of Freedom’ and it’s about following in the footsteps of those before us who put a stake in the ground by saying things that incite thought and conversation.”

This summer, Matt, one of Rolling Stone’s 10 Artists to Watch, toured the nation in a Vote for Love tour bus promoting his new single “Love” off his debut Geffen release “Best Days.” Throughout the tour he made stops at Gap stores along the way to provide music for people as they customized “Vote for” t-shirts. Matt is continuing the next leg of his tour, which kicks off Oct. 7, in Eugene, OR at John Henry’s [full list of show dates below]. At all his upcoming shows, Matt will perform “Songs Of Freedom” inspiring fans to voice their passions as he makes his way east for a very special election eve show at Bowery Ballroom in his hometown of New York City on Nov. 3. 

Beginning Oct. 23, fans can listen to “Songs Of Freedom” for free in Gap stores nationwide, on gap.com/votefor, declareyourself.com and mattwhitemusic.com or download it now on iTunes. Fans can check out exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Matt writing and recording “Songs Of Freedom,” on gap.com/votefor and shooting his new “Love” music video, now showing on MTV Hits, on Gap’s Facebook Fan Page.

“It’s been an incredible opportunity for us to collaborate with Matt White on an original song that perfectly articulates the purpose of our campaign, self expression,” said Ivy Ross, executive vice president of Gap Marketing. "As we continue to introduce new elements of the ‘Vote for’ campaign leading up to the elections, we hope ‘Songs of Freedom’ will be an anthem for voters as they reflect on what they ‘Vote for’ during this critical election season.”

Also during Matt’s upcoming tour, Gap is giving concert goers a voucher they can use at select Gap stores for chance to snag a free Matt White special edition “Vote for Love” t-shirt, free while supplies last.

Upcoming dates on Matt White’s “Vote for Love” tour:

10/7: Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
10/8: Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
10/10: Seattle, WA – Chop Suey
10/11: Pocatello, ID – Icon
10/14: San Luis Obispo, CA – Downtown Brew
10/15: Hermosa Beach, CA – Sainte Rocke
10/16: San Diego, CA – Casbah
10/18: Tucson, AZ – PlusH
10/20: Austin, TX – Stubbs Jr.
10/21: San Antonio, TX – Rock Bottom
10/23: Little Rock, AR – Juanitas
10/24: Louisville, KY – Headliners
10/25: Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindley
10/26: St. Louis, MO – Fubar
10/27: Indianapolis, IN – Birdys
10/28: Lincoln, NE – Knickerbockers
10/29: Minneapolis, MN – Cedear Cultural Center
10/30: Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
11/1: Columbus, OH – Basement
11/3: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
11/5: Boston, MA – TT the Bear

Visit www.gap.com/votefor to voice what you’re passionate about today.

About Gap Inc.

Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta brand names. Fiscal 2007 sales were $15.8 billion. Gap Inc. operates more than 3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit gapinc.com.