Rock The Earth Announces Planet Defender Awards
Rock the Earth kicked off Earth Day by announcing this year’s Planet Defender Awards. The environmental organization chooses recipients in three categories: artist, community leader, and grassroots activist. The 2010 winners are Bonnie Raitt (at left), Laurie David and Louie Psihoyos, respectively. Elected by Rock the Earth’s national volunteer staff, each winner demonstrates “the importance…
New Pornographers Come ‘Together’ This Summer
The New Pornographers have always been a band greater than the sum of their parts – although those parts are pretty great. While the star forces behind the band – A.C. Newman, HeadCount partner artist Neko Case, and Dan Bejar – have successful solo careers, their strongest efforts have always come “together” with the New…
MIA Echoes South Park In Violent New Video
You can’t see M.I.A.‘s new video, “Born Free,” on YouTube. The Google-owned video-hosting service, which celebrated its fifth birthday this week, has deemed it too violent (a child is executed at close range) and dirty (old people’s privates are on display). You can, however, watch it below. Directed by Romain Gavras, the nearly nine-minute short…
The National’s ‘High Violet’ streaming on NYTimes.com
One of HeadCount’s favorite bands The National is gearing up for a big year. They have a huge nationwide tour including a sold out date at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and the release of their 5th full length LP ‘High Violet’ on May 11th. Check out a 5 page article on…
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…