Today we’re going to learn about some general ways to green your music.

Buy the smallest music system you need. For example, an iPod, used via cord, in your car, is super small. A record player with smaller speakers is semi-small. A mega stereo system in your living room (I’m talking huge speakers, multi-disc functions, etc) is not so small. Get good, but smaller speakers, and a smaller overall system if possible. Electronics can be recycled to a point but not all the parts, and they take a lot of resources and energy to manufacturer.

Support musicians who support green. I know, you’re picky about your music, but when possible give your cash to musicians who actually care about the issues you care about. It can be hard to find musicians who are green though. Keep an eye on the news for eco-bands. Check out band websites. Maybe take a peek at the following resources:

• Extreme green musicians: The Top 10
• Cake goes eco-friendly with solar energy!
• The Top 5 Buzzworthy Green Musicians of the Moment
• Green Musicians and Green(er) Music Festivals

That last resource above brings up a good point – choose music concerts and festivals that at least try to be green. I.e. biodegradable disposables (at major events), solar power, events that give to green organizations, and so on.

Choose music that’s packaged responsibly. You can package music in recycled content. If you happen to be in a band, and want to package your own music green, check out this green music guide.

Hook up with Rock the Earth, a non-profit, “Dedicated to bringing about positive and beneficial environmental consequences on behalf of members of the music industry through the means of active litigation and negotiation.” Their site is a great eco-music resource, and many bands and artists are aligned with them.

Charge your music with solar power – even on the go!

When actually listening to or charging your music equipment, sure plug it in. BUT when you’re done, unplug your gear. Each second an item is plugged in, it’s using electricity resources and costing you money.

Can you think of any other ways to green your music?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

First up, Mr. Havens doing his take on Here Comes the Sun – which is one, my favorite version of this tune, and two, a little ironic for Earth Day, but I’m sure we’ll live… NOTE: This is a live version and a little fuzzy. His audio version of this song is amazing and available on Alarm Clock (usually you have to find it used). But you can also find it on iTunes or listen to it FREE at last.fm.

The next tune I have to play because of the holiday and two because I love Joni. She looks so pretty here too! Yay.

Coming up next, my official take on Earth Day…

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

GREEN YOUR VINYL:

• Close the loop by buying used records. There is plenty of used vinyl out there in great shape. BONUS, you’ll save scads of cash. Buying used means less packaging and less new PVC vinyl on your personal footprint.
• Learn how to take care of your vinyl. Bad vinyl users aren’t eco-friendly, because they’re wasting perfectly good records.
• Buy a used record player. You can get a good used record player at the same places you find used records – garage sales, thrift stores, and some secondhand music shops. Just make sure it works first.
• Recycle your vinyl when you’re done. You can’t technically recycle vinyl, but it can be used to make other items. Look for local artists in your community who create art and gear with old records.
• Get vocal and ask the record companies and bands to release vinyl in digital form or to use recycled materials in the packaging.
• Before tossing old vinyl see if someone else wants it – a pal, a music shop, a school. Don’t blindly toss if the record could still be used.

GREEN YOUR CDS:

• Again, buying used is a great alternative to purchasing brand new CDs. You get a deal, the earth gets a deal, everyone is happy. Well, maybe not bands, but you know.
• If you switch over discs to a disc holder, and aren’t into keeping the CD covers, recycled them. You can also recycled your discs if they die.
• If you don’t recycle your discs, use them to make something new.
• Share with pals. If you like MP3s, but still buy discs because not all music is available for download, share with friends. It’s silly to have three pals buy the same disc. Note, I’m not so sure this is on the legal up and up – but it’s for sure on the green up and up.

Next in this music series; some general green music tips that span across all listening modes.

How are you greening your music buying experience? Share in the comments.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Music overall is not that eco-friendly. Sure you’ve got bands like Cake using solar power to create music, which is a step in the right direction, and you’ve got recycling resources for used music. For example, you can recycle old discs or make them into something new, and vinyl records can be made into multiple items like dishes and art. Although, keep in mind that relatively few people recycle their music properly.

That said, vinyls are made of PVC and new ones come wrapped in icky plastic. Old cassette tapes are virtually non-recyclable due to their mixed content, so you have to find other uses for them or most will end up in landfills. Plus what about all those 8-tracks that went the way of the landfill, not to mention concerts, paper ticket stubs, and so on. No doubt about it, music creates a ton of waste.

Benefits of digital music:

Can be used on your computer, with or without any additional accessories. That’s pretty eco-friendly. If you make discs of the music, you can recycle those later – you just need to find a disc recycling center near you. If you put your tunes on an MP3 player, that can also be donated or recycled later on. Plus in the grand scheme of things, an MP3 player is comprised of far fewer materials than a big record player or huge tape playing beat box (yes they still exist).

Still, some people really like music in other forms. For example, while I could live without CDs, I’m a total vinyl addict. Later on this week, I’ll try to post some tips that can help you keep your music addiction at least a little greener.

For now though, tell me: How do you listen to music? Do you think things like MP3s and digital music are changing the face of green living?

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

I’m a big Cake fan; no not the cake you eat, Cake the kooky band. I suppose I won’t turn down ice cream cake if offered; but I digress.

Cake is getting cooler by the minute (literally) with their sixth full length album. The yet, as far as I know, unnamed album, is being recorded with 100% solar energy. Go them.

Cake has a nice little solar installation video up at their site, but we never get to discuss music here, so I’m going to show a different Cake video – my fave Cake tune of all time. I like all their stuff, but I never get tired of this one… (the first song is my fave BTW, but sticking around for Ruby Sees All won’t kill you either).

Want more eco-friendly cake; of the not musical variety?

• Eco-Friendly Birthday Theme Cakes
• Bake Your Birthday Cake & Have Your Green Too
• Birthday Cake Recipes

[image - Sarah Magid cake via THF post Happy Birthday - Have Some Cake!]

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Back soon with our daily audit tip.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Wishing everyone and their families a wonderful, peaceful, and green-filled year.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Recently I got an email about some very nice vinyl art that I’ll be talking about at the music blog but I also thought would be very cool to show here.

Daniel Edlen is the artist behind Vinyl Art, a really neat site that showcases Daniel’s portraits of musicians. The difference here is that he paints them on worn vinyl. This is such a great idea because although there are things you can do with worn vinyl often people just toss them. You know how much waste the used records of the past creates. A great big heaping pile I’m sure. This is one way to decorate your home with creative recycled art.

Take a look at two of my favorites.

First, my King… who is not Elvis.

The next one is amazing…

I really love the John Lennon piece.

He’s created many, many more. There are pieces at the online gallery of Santana, R.E.M, Billie Holiday, and more.

This is one good way to green your lifestyle without compromising an artistic home decorating style — buy recycled art. Many artists are out there using recycled or greener materials now and it just makes less sense to invest in brand new material art.

Visit Vinyl Art to see and learn more.  

Is there an artist who works in recyclables that you adore? Let me and other readers know about them in the comments!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family