HeadCount Gulf Coast Recovery Issue Update: Galactic Calling for a Full Gulf “Headcount”
Whether it’s from Jeff Raines of Galactic, Spike Lee, HBO or a member of the New Orleans Saints, there’s been a lot of talk about New Orleans and the Gulf of late, and much of it is good news. The 2010 Census is seen as a once-a-decade opportunity to increase federal funding to the area, and there’s great…
Concert Series To Benefit ‘Hippie Chimps’
On May 14 the musical collective Groovananda will gather in DC for a concert to benefit the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI). Groovananda leader Wynne Paris is working closely with BCI to develop a benefit series he hopes will attract major artists to the cause. Check out their Facebook invitation for details. (Disclosure: I’ll be performing…
(Some) Hipsters Celebrate Earth Day
Hipsters are pretty much known for being haters. Whether dissing on your taste in music or refusing to take the 2010 Census, hipsters are scorned for being self-centered and having bad attitudes. To the contrary, the hipsters over at FREEWilliamsburg and 10 lb Pictures made this Earth Day call-to-action: That’s a good start. And to…
Take The Clean Concert Pledge
Yesterday was Earth Day and you were too busy to plant a tree. It’s understandable. But as a live music fan, you should take the Clean Concert Pledge: “I will leave no trash on the ground at outdoor concerts and will encourage my friends and neighbors to do the same.” Ben Coe at the Artist…
Class of 2010 Gets Graduation Gift of Healthcare
Fulltime students are usually kept on their parents insurance through college, but when graduation time rolls around they’re expected to find a job that provides benefits, buy an expensive individual policy or more common, go without healthcare and pray that their good health continues. Part of Obama’s new Health Care Reform law would enable young…
Interview: Galactic’s Jeff Raines On New Orleans Recovery
We caught up with Galactic guitarist Jeff Raines last month, while the band was touring around the release of its latest album, Ya-Ka-May, which features guest appearances by just about every great Crescent City musician. In that spirit, we spoke with him about the current state of New Orleans. Headcount: I’ll start with a very…
Iceland’s Suffering Animals
No, the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption isn’t only about inconvenienced airline passengers or the canceled premiere of Iron Man 2. Iceland’s animals are in danger of fluoride poisoning and other maladies as a result of inhaling the volcano’s toxic ash. Hundreds of farms were evacuated after the eruption. Afterward, many farmers had trouble even locating their…
Depth Perceptions: ‘Phish 3D’
Brooklyn’s Pavilion Cinema stunk like a skunk farm during last night’s premiere of Phish 3D. Even the friendly ushers were complaining. Didn’t they realize it was 4/20, our national day of marijuana abuse? (Tell it to the nitrous dealers defiling my local park across the street.) And if you thought you could avoid the annoyance…
What Are You Doing For Earth Day? (VIDEO)
Earth Day celebrates its 40th Anniversary tomorrow, and plenty of folks have suggestions on how to celebrate. The New York Times ran a column called “For Earth Day, 7 New Rules to Live By” suggesting that the new green movement add a shade of “blue-sky open mindedness” to its repertoire (“New Nukes” is the new…
Widespread Panic Raising Funds and Awareness for Musician Health
Widespread Panic may be one of the ultimate American party bands, but they haven’t forgotten the dark reality that many musicians struggle with health and personal issues. With that in mind, they’re throwing their support behind Nuçi’s Space a nonprofit from their hometown of Athens, Georgia that serves the musician community with suicide prevention programs and…