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A new generation of carbon-free musicians brings pedal to the people
sweet inspiration.
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(link/article for full story)
"... A fresh undercurrent of musical culture is reinventing what’s cool — and taking gasoline out of the equation. Around the country, musicians are embracing pedal-power, biking from show to show, city to city, even nation to nation.
The movement arrives as a reaction to the trends of global hip-hop and mass-produced rock, worlds in which stars may preach socio-political and environmental righteousness yet indulge in glamorous, grossly extravagant limo lifestyles."
But not the Ginger Ninjas. In April, this folk-ska band from North San Juan, California (fronted by Xtracycle co-founder Kipchoge Spencer) completed a fully pedal-powered tour of 5000 miles from Lake Tahoe to Chiapas, Mexico. The Ninjas’ tour — called Pleasant Revolution — included 80 dates. So did the Rolling Stones’ 2006 Bigger Bang Tour, but the tired supergroup’s tour also included 80 semi trucks, a jet plane and 37,000 barrels of oil — each incinerated, of course. The Ginger Ninjas, who employed a pedal-powered sound system at most shows, estimate they expended a third of a barrel of oil on their journey.
In San Francisco, Fossil Fool, “The Bike Rapper,” has achieved an unlikely alchemy. Known more casually as Paul Freedman, the innovative vocalist and tech wizard has blended the shadowy realm of streetside rap with the gentle notion of the bicycle. He rides a massive, self-designed pedal-powered chopper from gig to gig. It’s a bike mean as hell and cool as night. It glows when pedaled and serves as a human-powered P.A. system at Fossil Fool’s mobile street parties, and it gets great gas mileage between venues — which is to say none.
“My character when I perform is a rapper born in an alternate universe where bikes are cool and cars are lame,” says Freedman. “There’s no doubt we live in a car culture, but I also have no doubt that bikes are way cooler. People are sick of the hip-hop culture where the rapper has the newest Mercedes.” sweet inspiration. - (link/article for full story) ... more -
Turner is back on the road
Tina Turner is coming out of retirement to embark on a new tour. 68-year-old Turner quit the road eight years ago. She will 'kick off' a new series of dates in Kansas City, Missouri on October 1. Tina Turner is coming out of retirement to embark on a new tour. 68-year-old Turner quit the road eight years ago. She will 'kick off'... more
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The Major Label Tale: The Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers
When a musician is signed to one of the major music labels it is generally believed to be the path to riches and fame. Although it is a healthy start, the majority of music acts signed for "the big bucks" quickly learn the unforgiving and unfortunate nature of the major music business. Meet the Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers, who came out of obscurity to land a major music deal with Record label heavyweight Atlantic Records, only to realize everything was not all they thought it would be. When a musician is signed to one of the major music labels it is generally believed to be the path to riches and fame. Although it is ... more
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Silverchair tours carbon neutral!
Aussie band Silverchair explains how they work on their carbon ratings while on tour.
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Now That's Music
Lonely Planet contributor Owen Eszeki likes his music served raw with a healthy side order of personality. In this Bluelist pod Owen takes us to the three craziest places to experience music. Lonely Planet contributor Owen Eszeki likes his music served raw with a healthy side order of personality. In this Bluelist pod Owen t... more
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music touring
