Climate Culture

At a press-only Bonnaroo show

Caught a press-only acoustic performance yesterday with the Cold War Kids, Elvis Perkins, and Alec Ounsworth (dreamy!) from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The show was amazing; the guys played several songs from each band, ending with "Doomsday" by Elvis Perkins, which has amazing (and somewhat relevant) lyrics that I can’t seem to find online. […]

And comments on the green efforts

There’s a lot of press here at Bonnaroo, so I don’t know why I was so surprised to find out that Jon Pareles of The New York Times is here blogging the festival. I guess I just can’t imagine the Gray Lady all sweaty and covered in dirt, hanging out with the hippies. Anyway, Friday […]

At a Bonnaroo press conference

I just left the first press conference of Bonnaroo where hiphop-funk-reggae guru Michael Franti of Spearhead set the stage by explaining his routine when coming to Bonnaroo: "The first thing I always do is go over to the port-a-potty, because you can tell what stage the festival is in …" The man speaks the truth. […]

From Wild Life to Wildlife

Diff’rent spokes While Owen got over his heartbreak by biking to a strip club, bicyclists around the world stripped to show their eco-love. Which gives a whole new meaning to banana seat. Photo: Steve Granitz/ WireImage.com We failed kindergarten This artist installed a phone in a melting glacier, so callers can hear every agonizing drip […]

Look out!

The masses started arriving yesterday. Gates opened at noon, and ‘Roo-goers were ready. At left is the “before” shot — the open grassy field (once home to cows and cow pies) that will soon be just a field of dirt covered in dirt-covered people and dirt-covered trash. Unless Clean Vibes has something to do with […]

On green dating for the low-budget environmentalist

I know, I know. Long time, no Brokeass. Weeks. Months even. See, I got a second job, which has somewhat lessened my brokassity, but also cut back on the amount of time I have to sit around and ponder the subject. But don’t fear. I’m still pretty broke, and cheap by nature, so as often […]

Antarctica gig lined up for Live Earth concerts

Antarctica gig lined up for Live Earth concerts:

OK, so they're not rock stars. But scientists with the British Antarctic Survey will guarantee Al Gore's promise that the Live Earth concerts on July 7 will be performed on all 7 continents.

They'll be performing during the dead of winter at the Rothera Research Station. In fact, it'll be the first time anyone outside the station has heard the indie rock-folk band, Nunatak, play at all. (Nunatak, by the way, is a Greenlandic word that means an exposed summit of a ridge mountain or peak within an ice field or glacier.)

Compressed air, not hot air

In contrast to the hot air coming out of Washington and Detroit, India is opting for compressed air. Deets here.

I’m baaaack …

I’m writing this post while sitting at the Grist booth at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. If you’re here, come say hi — and explain why you’re reading Gristmill instead of listening to some of the amazing music out here. It seems like it was just a year ago that I was […]

Berries, brewpubs, and a blitz torte recipe

I am traveling on the West Coast, and have been diligently eating my way southward. I’ve been to Victoria, B.C., for a conference on agriculture and sustainability; to Sooke Harbour, B.C., where I visited Sooke Harbor House and took a tour of their organic garden and on-site water reclamation plant; and to Vancouver, B.C., where […]