Author Dave Eggers organizes musicians for a Trump-free America

Author Dave Eggers believes in the idea that art can make a difference. So he’s enlisted 30 musical acts to participate in a project opposing Donald Trump.

Eggers launched the project “30 Days, 30 Songs” on Monday, featuring musicians and bands who are “united in our desire to speak out against the ignorant, divisive, and hateful campaign of Donald Trump.”

When reporting on a Trump rally for The Guardian, Eggers was “pretty surprised” to hear the waiting crowd entertained by music by Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Queen. “None of these musicians support Trump, of course,” he said in a statement, “so it occurred to me that this election would benefit from the timely resurrection of the political protest song.”

“30 Days, 30 Songs” is essentially a playlist that will be updated daily in the month leading up to election day. It will feature songs written and performed by Artists for a Trump-free America, including R.E.M., Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Thao Nguyen.

Eggers, the author of such books as “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius” and “The Circle,” isn’t a stranger to political activism. In 2012, he launched a project called “90 Days, 90 Reasons” which collected essays by cultural figures urging voters to reelect President Obama.

So far, two songs have been posted: “Million Dollar Loan” by Death Cab for Cutie and “Can’t You Tell” by Aimee Mann. (Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard was also the first contributor to Eggers’ “90 Days, 90 Reasons” project.)

Both of the “30 Days, 30 Songs” tracks take direct aim at Trump. “Million Dollar Loan” refers to the money Trump borrowed from his father to launch his business, while “Can’t You Tell” suggests the candidate might be mentally ill (“I don’t want this job, my God / Can’t you tell / I’m unwell”).

The project’s website urges listeners to “register to vote and volunteer and share these songs of protest.”

“We hope these songs provide both motivation and soundtrack to doing the right thing these last few weeks before this most pivotal election,” a statement on the site reads. “Consider this the music by which you will register to vote and cast your ballot for Hillary Clinton, the only candidate who can prevent the apocalypse that would be Donald Trump as president.”