Climate Change Movement Digs Self Out Of Snow
When a pair of snowstorms pounded Washington DC, climate-change skeptics were quick to call for an end to any discussion of global warming or climate-related legislation. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) tweeted, “It’s going to keep snowing until Al Gore cries uncle,” and former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin called global warming “snake oil science.” It’s left…
Tapers Never Die
You kids have absolutely no idea how easy you’ve got it. When I was a lad hungry for live Grateful Dead tapes, gluttons like myself were often forced to interact with total strangers via snail mail, sending blank cassettes and return postage in order to score sketchy dupes of dupes of analog dupes. And we…
Making Our Voice Heard On Climate Change
The following was written for The Huffington Post: Nearly a year and a half ago, a record number of young voters turned out for the presidential election. Since then, civic-engagement organizations such as HeadCount have been fighting a sometimes difficult battle to keep young people excited about political participation. It isn’t easy. The paralysis in…
Interview: Steve Martocci On Rewarding Fans, Activists
If you put yourself out there for a band or a cause, you should get something for it. And Steve Martocci has the technology to make that happen. The Sympact CEO has developed personalized email platforms that will allow bands – and nonprofit organizations – the ability to identify and reward their most faithful and…
Bisco Power Mission Takes HeadCount To New Places
Dating back to HeadCount’s 2004 launch, we viewed the organization’s ultimate purpose as stretching well beyond voter registration. Our very first action plan called for HeadCount to serve as a “grassroots organizing arm of the live music community.” Our purpose, in the broadest sense, was to foster civic participation among fans of live music and…
Fake Steve Jobs Introduces iSierra Music Festival
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes…the ones who see things differently – they’re not fond of rules.” So sayeth Steve Jobs, the innovator affectionately parodied in this terrific video preview for this summer’s High Sierra Music Festival taking place July 1-4 in Quincy,…
Corporate Free Speech Reigns Supreme
As part of HeadCount’s “What’s Your Issue?” campaign, we publish regular updates on each of six issues. The following is our latest Personal Liberty update. What does the New Year have in store for personal liberty issues? So far, we’ve seen the approval of an airport security measure that not only wants to see you…
LMFAO Vs. Mitt Romney
We’re all about music interacting with politics but this is ridiculous. Rapper Sky Blu of rap group LMFAO takes to YouTube to explain his side the Air Canada altercation with Mitt Romney that galvanized America. It’s cool that Skyler Gordy – grandson of Motown founder Barry Gordy! – took six minutes out of his day…
Interview: ALO Man Of The World Dave Brogan
According to drummer Dave Brogan, ALO‘s music is their politics. And that personal-is-political sensibility comes through loud and clear on the group’s fourth album, Man of the World. Produced by ALO friend Jack Johnson, Man of the World is an tuneful reckoning with changing lives in a changing world. An uncertain nostalgia wends through “The…
Coal, Climate Change, Copenhagen, Canada
Even as the snow-topped peaks of beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia melt before our eyes during the Winter Olympics, the coal industry wants to remind us how important “clean coal” is for creating affordable energy and future jobs. The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is running TV ads during the games to champion coal…