Rockers walk – and rock – the green talk
Earth Day has arrived once again, and here at Unicorn Media we’re celebrating too.
As the environment has come to the forefront of political and social discussion, we have all been bombarded with eco-savvy ways to live a greener life. Everything from recycling to driving a hybrid to the more extreme. Who can forget Sheryl Crow’s infamous suggestion that we limit ourselves to one square when using the loo? Well if you’re anything like me, (let’s get serious Sheryl) Ms. Crow’s solution to our environmental problem may be a bit too much…or too little. Lucky for us, she’s not the only musician hopping on the biodiesel-powered bandwagon-or tour bus for that matter.
Artists like Barenaked Ladies, Coldplay, the Dave Mathews Band, and Jack Johnson are “greening” up their tours. Helping them in their efforts is the Maine-based environmental organization, Reverb. Founded in 2004 by Adam Gardner - a guitarist for the indie rock band Guster - Reverb works with artists to make their tours more environmentally friendly. These efforts span everything from driving biodiesel fueled tour buses to playing “Inconvenient Truth”-inspired videos before shows.
On a recent tour, Barenaked Ladies ate locally grown organic food using biodegradable cutlery and drank from reusable canteens instead of plastic bottles and cups. In an effort to offset the energy consumed by both their tours and CD manufacturing, bands like Coldplay are planting trees in third world countries. Alanis Morisette and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have both invited “greening coordinators” on stage to gather up broken and used guitar strings after gigs; the strings are then recycled by a New Hampshire company into jewelry. Tour crew members also collect partially used nine-volt batteries from distortion boxes and wireless microphones to be reused later. Artists like the Dave Mathews Band and Jack Johnson even use nonpetroleum-based cosmetics on stage.
So, are these artists’ attempts at more eco-friendly music really paying dividends? While many of these greening endeavors just may be feel-good public relations efforts, with the help of organizations like Reverb, these artists are at the very least keeping the “go green” campaign alive…and we say, that’s half the battle.
We here at Unicorn Media give these eco-friendly artists a round of applause for spreading environmental consciousness to concert-goers everywhere. Our suggestion for you trend-setting music lovers out there who strive to be environmentally responsible? Quit counting squares and celebrate Earth Day by checking out a green tour at a venue near you. (Meredith Treinen, Unicorn Media)
