The funky sounds of Spearhead radiated from the stage, washing over a few hundred fans who jumped up and down to the beat during the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, B.C. Michael Franti hopped around the stage barefoot, with dreaded hair flying every which way.
"In school they tried to tell me that a tree it couldn’t feel. But I have felt a tree, and it was bleeding for real," Franti sang.
Franti’s songs bring a message of environmental advocacy to his audience. Environmental organizations are recognizing the power of music and are working with bands to use this medium to spread awareness and inspire action.
Marc Ross started Rock the Earth in 2001 to work with musicians to promote environmental causes. The organization has begun to reach artists and audiences nationwide. Last year, it worked with bands such as The String Cheese Incident, Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies and Alanis Morissette.
The organization asks band members what causes they are concerned about and if they would like to help publicize the causes.
"Everyone has some kind of local issue they are concerned about," Ross said. "It may be factory farms, paper mills in the neighborhood they grew up in or endangered tortoises."
Rock the Earth recently began working with Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band to review development and diversion projects slated for the Saint Johns River in northern Florida, where Trucks is from.
Rock the Earth works in different ways to publicize and resolve the specific issue with which each band identifies. Its staff writes letters to government agencies, works to educate the public through monthly newsletters to 2,000 subscribers and sets up information tables at concerts.
In addition to using a team of volunteers, the organization employs a geologist, a hydrogeologist, an aquatic biologist, engineers and environmental attorneys. This team works to develop solutions to environmental problems.
Music is becoming a popular way to spread awareness of environmental causes because of the variety of people it can reach, Ross said. Rock the Earth’s efforts to expand beyond dedicated environmentalists allows the organization to reach more people than would otherwise notice an environmental issue, Ross said.
"We have found that a lot of people tune out to environmental issues," Ross said. "But a lot of people tune in to music."
The Northwest Ecosystem Alliance is a Bellingham-based environmental-advocacy group that works to protect Northwest lands and wildlife. The alliance works to conserve forestlands, save old-growth forests and protect Northwest wildlife with the help of the Endangered Species Act. It also works with musicians who display a passion for the environment.
The annual Jammin’ for Salmon event takes place in Bellingham on the Friday closest to Earth Day. This year, it featured a variety of local artists. The event is tailored to educate visitors and offer a chance to donate money or time to the alliance.
Rose Oliver, the event coordinator for Jammin’ for Salmon, said the variety of music attracts a diverse group of people, spreading the alliance’s message to more of the community.
"Sometimes it happens that people come just to see the band and don’t care so much about the issue," Oliver said. "But it’s not that big of a deal. The $13 they paid to get in the door still goes to a good cause."
Attendees can visit stations set up around the event displaying information about current issues such as the Lake Whatcom watershed development or management of state trust lands. Last year’s event, the sixth annual and most-attended, raised $8,000 for Northwest wildlife and land.
"Hopefully people will come to see music and have their eyes opened a little," Oliver said. "Maybe they don’t take action, but they leave thinking about it."
Joel Ricci, a member of the Bellingham-based band La Push, has performed at Jammin’ for Salmon the past two years. He said playing at benefits for causes he believes in is an important part of his life as a musician.
"When a lot of people come out for a band like La Push, it’s a situation where a lot of money can be raised," Ricci said. "I don’t see a problem with using the name and popularity to benefit as many people as possible."
Ricci said that while musicians could just donate money to a cause, spreading awareness at a benefit is important and more valuable.
Even though environmental groups invite musicians who promote environmental causes to play at benefits, owners of general venues may be reluctant to ask advocacy musicians to play at their establishments.
John Goodman, the owner and manager of Bellingham’s Wild Buffalo House of Music, said a band aligned with a specific topic might not be his first choice for his venue.
"If I get a reputation as being aligned with one cause, then it is possible that I could lose a good share of business," Goodman said.
Although Goodman said he considers himself an environmentalist, he also said the Wild Buffalo’s purpose is to feature music, not promote controversial issues. Showcasing too many advocacy bands might turn away more moderate listeners or those on the other side of an issue. If that happens, the business loses money, Goodman said. While the Wild Buffalo has done environmental benefits in the past, including one three years ago for the Clean Water Alliance, Goodman said that lately he has shied away from polarized topics.
"I like to be neutral turf for the most part," Goodman said. "I want all people to feel comfortable coming here."
Matthew Feigenbaum, the owner of The Nightlight lounge, which opened in 2004, said he does not consider supporting advocacy bands a problem.
"People I worry about being angry at me for supporting good causes are the people I don’t worry about," Feigenbaum said.
The Nightlight has done a benefit show about once a month since opening, Feigenbaum said. None of them have been environmental benefits yet, but he said he is completely open to the idea and is waiting for one to be presented.
Music is a powerful tool to raise money, Feigenbaum said. If bands are willing to play for a cause, just having them there will raise more money because people are paying to see them play.
"They can raise more money in 20 minutes of their time than we could running this place for six months," Feigenbaum said.
Along with playing to support environmental causes, many musicians incorporate eco-friendly living into their tours. Willie Nelson formed his own biodiesel company, BioWillie. Other artists, such as Jack Johnson, use only biodiesel in their tour buses.
Franti, a solo artist and the front man for the band Spearhead, said he requires vendors at his shows to use biodegradable materials in all their packaging. He also uses hemp paper in his CD inserts and non-bleach materials for tour clothing.
Franti, who sings largely about political issues and some environmental matters, said music inspires people to act.
While Franti continues to motivate those who attend his shows, Ross is working to expand Rock the Earth to attract even more people to the environmental movement. The list of this summer’s artists involved with Rock the Earth includes Ani DiFranco, Ozomatli, Jack Johnson and Brian Wilson.
"Sometimes we feel alone in what we do," Franti said. "When we hear music that honors the things we believe in, it helps us to keep going in that way."