ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip

May 8th 2008

Hip-Hop Star Common No Longer A Vegetarian

Filed under: animals, food & drink, music — parrish @ 10:08 pm

Well guys it looks like we’ve lost another one. Supervegan.com just alerted me about some “fishy” news regarding hip-hop star Common.

Common recently told The University Daily Kansan, “Yeah, I eat fish, man. I needed some protein. I’ve been eating fish for like two years now, two and a half years. It’s great too. I’m glad to be eating it. It was tough being a vegan. I salute all vegans and vegetarians”

Red Rover, Red Rover bring Common back over. Ya’ll this is bad news on the veg front!! In case you’re a little late to the party, Common has done some really awesome things for the animal rights movement which makes his fall off the boat, so to speak, an even bigger downer. But wait — is Common still a vegetarian if he eats fish? I kinda say no, but what do you think? Chime in Ecorazzi readers and tell us if you think you can still call yourself a vegetarian if you nosh on that stuff from the sea. 

Oh and check out this video that was filmed back when Common was still veggie. It brings tears to my little vegan eyes.

May 8th 2008

Madonna’s Latest Tour Offers Zilch For The Environment

Filed under: music — michael @ 12:23 pm

Allow me to dig up this little quote from a Madonna spokesperson last summer. It came in the wake of her Live Earth participation and criticism over her massive footprint. “Madonna’s agreement to sing at the Live Earth event is merely one of the first steps in her commitment to being environmentally responsible,” she said. “She is educating herself and her family and has begun to make changes around her that reflect her awareness and concern for the future of the planet.”

Uh Huh.

So now we come full circle — a little less than a year after Madonna urged to us to ‘love the planet’ on-stage at Live Earth and, well, nothing has changed. Unfortunately, Madonna is doing an injustice to environmental campaigning by claiming to care but then not showing anything meaningful to reflect such talk.

Take her latest tour announced today. Not one mention of any type of environmental-initiatives at all. No hookups with Reverb or any other green concert organizations to help alleviate the tour impact. Just because it’s international, doesn’t mean it’s not possible to make some kind of difference. Half the tour will take place in North America — which contains a bevy of organizations that would love to assist the ‘Material Girl’ in rocking out green.

So frankly, I’m disappointed. I’m rather tired of giving this individual the benefit of the doubt — something we work real hard to do on this site — in hopes that she’ll deliver something. I hope I’m proven wrong. I’m hopeful that between now and when things kick off in August that some green aspect not included in the press release will be revealed. But man, what a missed opportunity to prove us all wrong.

May 7th 2008

Radiohead Supports Tibet At Opening Concert Of World Tour

Filed under: campaigns, events, green and famous, music, politics — parrish @ 12:09 pm

I think it’s safe to say that Radiohead isn’t afraid of making a little noise.  That is, of course, with their music, but also with their political and environmental agenda too. Ecorazzi has reported on numerous occasions about Radiohead’s constant role in environmental change, and now it looks like the guys are speaking up once again.

On Monday, Radiohead kicked off their world tour by decorating the the Cruzan Amphitheater stage in Florida with Tibetan flags to show their support for the people of Tibet. This comes shortly after Ecorazzi got a surge of comments when we wrote a post detailing Richard Gere’s suggestion that America should protest against China by boycotting the Olympic Games in Beijing.

If you think Tibet is groovy visit FreeTibet.org and learn more!

May 5th 2008

American Idol To Hit Some Green Notes For Season Finale

Filed under: film-tv, music, television — michael @ 3:02 pm

Traditionally, American Idol’s season finale has been an opportunity to give a wink back at Mother Earth by bestowing the winner with a brand new Ford Escape Hybrid. This year, however, the producers have decided to give Momma a big ‘ole smooch (think Adrian Brody sweeping Halle Berry off her feet at the Academy Awards) by powering the event completely with renewable energy. From the article,

“The L.A. Department of Water and Power will provide a combo of solar, wind and hydro energy through its Green Power for a Green LA Program. And to get even more eco-power, a solar panel system from E-Village, Inc. is being installed and then donated to a California school after the May 20th and 21st broadcasts.”

Seems that whole Idol Gives Back groove wasn’t just a one-night affair. We think this sends a much better message than just shining the spotlight on a hybrid or two. Now, if they could just get every show to be this green….but, we’ll take what we can get for now.

via Green Daily

May 2nd 2008

Sting Holds Annual Benefit To Help Save The Rainforest

Filed under: campaigns, events, events: nyc, food & drink, green and famous, music, thegreenpicture — parrish @ 12:37 pm

I’ll tell you this: Sting loves him some rainforest. In fact, for almost two decades Sting has been an eco-champion for the environment, and will celebrate his 20 years with Some Kinda Legacy — a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall to raise money for the Rainforest Foundation.

The Rainforest Foundation was started in the late 80’s by Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler as an environmental crusade to protect the rainforest. However, like all longstanding organizations the foundation has grown and now Sting considers it, “a human rights organization more than anything else.”

In the last two decades the annual Rainforest Foundation benefits have raised 25.8 million dollars and this year they’re goal is to make at least 2 million dollars more. After the performance The Plaza Hotel will host a local and organic dinner along with a live auction to help take in even more dough.

The concert takes place on May 8th at 7pm and feature performances by Sting (duh), James Taylor, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, and many other legendary musicians. Tickets are $175 to $400 and you can purchase them at CarnegieHall.org. So get your seat and help save the rainforest yo!!

thanks: bloomberg.com

April 29th 2008

April Smith’s Great Picture Show Cruising Along On Veggie Oil

Filed under: music — michael @ 11:34 am

Perhaps you’ve never heard of April Smith — but if you tuned into MTV’s The Hills or Newport Harbor dramas you’ve no doubt toe-tapped to her grooves. I for one, have never seen either — but after checking out Smith’s MySpace page and listening to a few of her songs, I’ll be skipping the shows and buying the album. This is some brilliant tuneage.

Even better, Smith has just completed her first trek from New York to Chicago on her tour bus that she converted to run on vegetable oil. The bus’s new name? Mr. Belevadere. Instant-awesome. It’s all part of her “April Smith and The Great Picture Show” tour happening this summer. According to our source, the singer is very committed to reducing her band’s carbon footprint and educating her fans and other musicians about how they can do the same. Hey Sting, are you listening?

Smith’s next trip will be from NYC to Boston to perform in an upcoming show on 5/15 at Berklee Performance Center with Ingrid Michaelson and Ari Hest for a great organization called Music Inspires Health.

You can follow April’s progress on the veg-bus tour, play some of her latest music, and just discover more about this up and coming artist over on her MySpace page. Check out a video of one of Smith’s grooves after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »

April 29th 2008

Video: Thom Yorke Dedicates Song To ‘Twat’ US President

Filed under: music — michael @ 9:45 am

As we wrote earlier, Radiohead performed via satellite for Conan O’Brien last week to save a trip to NYC and cut down on emissions. In the video of the performance below, you’ll see lead singer Thom Yorke reveal to us that the chorus of the song is “Denial, Denial” and as such it’s dedicated to “that twat who walked away from the Kyoto agreement.” Brilliant.

April 26th 2008

Al Gore And Live Earth To Rock College Campuses This Fall

Filed under: music — michael @ 9:53 am

Get ready for another massive concert series from Live Earth. This time, however, the focus will be on the United States — and getting people to rock the vote by making the environment one the main issues for the 2008 Presidential Election.

At the gala celebration for the Go Green Expo last night, Live Earth founder Kevin Wall let drop that the organization is finalizing plans to hold simultaneous concerts on college campuses around the U.S. on October 5th. Mirroring similar sentiments around the green community, Wall expressed disappointment that environmental issues were not more present in the various presidential debates and interviews over the past year. As a result, the organization has decided to thrust the issue once more into the spotlight by getting people to “rock the green vote”.

Prior to the event, Live Earth will invite the Democratic and Republican nominee to clarify their positions on such issues as climate change, renewable energy, and other green issues. As it’s still early, we have no information on what bands will be participating — or even the campuses participating. Kevin Wall did answer one question, however. Will Al Gore be back? “Absolutely,” he responded

April 24th 2008

Radiohead Refuses To Jump Atlantic To Play Gig On Conan

Filed under: green and famous, music — michael @ 10:41 am

We’ve previously highlighted Radiohead and their efforts to reduce their impact on the planet, but this latest move by the band deserves a high-five.

Conan O’Brien invited the group to play on his show last night, but Thom Yorke and the gang decided the planet would be better off if they didn’t all get on a plane and fly across the Atlantic for the gig. So instead, they decided to compromise by jamming via satellite — something that aligned perfectly for NBC’s Green Is Universal initiative happening all this week. From the BBC,

“The band have been long time campaigners on green issues with Yorke recently guest editing The Observer Magazine to promote climate change awareness. Yorke also recently urged politicians to introduce sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions by 2020. ‘If we don’t get stuck in now, in 20 years’ time it will be worse and things will be more extreme,’ he said.”

Yorke also mentioned that by not flying to the gig in NYC, the band saved the equivalent pollution to driving a car for a whole year. Rock on, guys!

BBC via Green Daily

April 23rd 2008

Bass Player Leaves Brazilian Pop Group Because Of Climate Change Worries

Filed under: music — michael @ 2:45 pm

You have to hand it to bass player Ira Trevisan for coming up with one of the more creative excuses for leaving a rock group. Her band, CSS, is a rising staple in Brazilian’s pop music scene, but Trevisan has decided to leave because of one big reason: climate change. From the article,

“‘I am a bit worried about climate change,’ she said, though it’s apparent she’s more than a bit concerned. ‘People should care more and do something. I decided to fly less. CSS will always be in my heart.’

I can’t help but wonder if there was more to that decision…

Obviously, rock groups flying around the world is a contributor to CO2 — but other green musicians have come to the conclusion that they can do more with their music, in terms of inspiring and educating on green issues, than if they just stayed home. This is the first time I can recall that a musician has been concerned about climate change and decided to drop out of their profession all-together. Seems a bit rash — couldn’t they at least fly commercial, institute offsets, and give a percentage of their cash to green charities? Seems like a better thing to do than just quitting something you love altogether.

via UK Guardian