Living Green

A few months ago I started to think of how I could incorporate some “green” speak into The Steam Engine. My biggest issue initially was that I didn’t want to come off as some overbearing hippy “What do you mean you don’t pocket compost?!?!” but I did want to come off as active and aware. Coincidentally the best way I came up with was to have a local business owner do the talking for me! Marius Morosanu is part owner of Nazca Energy, a Rockford, IL based renewable energy company. Marius is a man on a mission, spreading the word on efficient, green technology, specifically LED lighting.

“Living Green” will be a twice monthly piece that will discuss everything from being more efficient at home (and saving a few pieces of scratch) to green technology and it’s place in the music industry. Keep your eyes peeled for some super excellent giveaways!

-Jason

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Hi all, first off thanks for checking out Jason’s latest Steam Engine segment, “Living Green.” My name is Marius and I’m really excited about sharing ideas and talking directly to people who are eager to make a difference in our world. You may be amazed at how the simplest things can help the environment we all share while saving you money. I won’t bore you with too much of my background. I’m in charge of operations at a small Renewable Energy Company in the Midwest. At the moment, we primarily deal with LED lighting for home and business. If you have questions about any of this stuff, feel free to email me directly at marius@nazcaenergy.com

To kick of Living Green, I thought I’d take a stab at something we all have in common.. The love of music...

There’s a lot going on in the music industry to help it “green up”. From packaging and distribution, to organic promotional merchandise (no kidding) and more, the industry is gearing up for a new generation of savvy green music lovers.

First there’s product packaging. Think about all of that cellophane, paper pulp, plastic, and chemical inks it takes to get those CD’s on the shelves. One can argue that the best way to package something is to just put it online. While that may sound great, a lot of people out there still want the experience of having something tangible in their hands. There are solutions on the horizon. Companies like PaperFoam offer all-natural, fully biodegradable jewel case for CD’s and DVD’s as an alternative to conventional plastic versions. DiskMakers, one of the biggest names in the duplication industry has implemented sustainability into their business process. They are using recycled board, vegetable based inks, internal recycling programs and are even finding ways to reduce shipping weight which uses up less fuel to deliver.

Eco-Friendly promotion is also making waves in the industry. You can now find organic cotton alternatives vs. synthetic t-shirts for promoting your music to fans. There are companies that even offer silk screened prints using non-toxic vegetable dye. Another cool item is the stainless steel mug. There are few things that reduce waste more profoundly than reusable mugs and cups. Check out Klean Kanteen or Sigg, they offer customizable water bottles for shameless self-promotion or personal use. Finding green promotional materials isn’t hard, we just have to start searching for alternatives and demanding them from companies that don’t offer them yet .

And then there is touring. Perhaps the most polluting part of the music industry, and the one we all love the most. Most people think there is nothing we can do about it but there are businesses out there that offer sustainable energy solutions for the entertainment industry. Take Sustainable Waves for example, these guys provide solar powered stages, sounds systems and lighting. Reverb Nation for instance is helping artists take their first green steps by offering carbon neutral suggestions for venues and coordinating bio-diesel and waste reduction services at events.

What can you personally do when going to check out your favorite bands live? Here are some suggestions:

• Car Pool. I know many people already do this, but if you don’t consider it. It’s best to share these experiences anyway -  right?!
• Bring your own water in one of the above mentioned stainless steel bottles. If they don’t allow it, shoot the venue an email the next day and let them know - get your friends to do the same. Be polite but put the issue on their radar.
• Purchase merchandise that uses natural fibers and dyes. They feel great and don’t use harsh chemicals that end up in water supplies.
• Use the garbage can. This may sound stupid but how many times have you tossed your empty beer on the lawn instead of waiting for the garbage can?
• Let your favorite bands know that you care about these issues. Write an email or a letter.
• Reuse your beer cups – if you just don’t want to do this, consider refilling it at least once. Everything helps!

In the coming weeks, be on the lookout for other topics and please email or leave a comment with your ideas, questions and thoughts! marius@nazcaenergy.com

• Efficient Products and Technologies
• Living Green Commentary
• Around the Home – Simple Steps
• Green and the Music Industry
• Green Company Highlights
• Green Trade Shows and Fairs
• Your comments, questions and ideas...

This Steam Engine’s ‘Living Green” segment is “sponsored” by Nazca Energy (meaning Jason uses us to green up his image - ha ha). You can check us out @ www.NazcaEnergy.com or follow us on FaceBook (www.FaceBook.com/NazcaEnergy ) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/NazcaEnergy ).

New Music Monday: Road Tripping Through the South

I've been on the road for the better part of a week now, zig zagging my way across the highways and interstates of the Southeastern part of the U.S.  As I sit here typing this, I'm in an interesting little town called Englewood, FL in a house with walls that are the color of Ralph Macchio's car in "My Cousin Vinny."  That's right, boys and girls.  These walls are a gorgeous shade of sea foam green and some of the furniture even matches the walls.  It's almost like Ben & Jerry threw up mint chocolate chip ice cream all over this place.  BUT, even though I'm staring at these walls, battling an undeniable urge for ice cream, I'm in Florida.  FLORIDA. . .where the sun is shining and the beach is right over there (you can't see me, but I'm pointing to a place that I would walk to from here).

On my way to Englewood, I passed through the Florida panhandle to visit one of my oldest and best friends in the world, Teeka.  Over a three day, two night period in Pensacola, FL we drank.  Then we drank some more.  Then way played darts and drank.  Then we did shots, played darts and drank.  Then we drank more.  Then we ate sushi and walked around a mall only to head back to her place to drink some more.  Then it was rinse and repeat for the Braves/Phillies game and the Cubs/Brewers game where my Cubs commenced to taking the opening game of the three game set (but dropped the next two) and my pal Chad and I drank and got loud.  At some point during the game, we were so desperate to get rid of some guy that we simply heard his comments, nodded, shotgunned a beer and split for more.  The weird thing was that this Raiders fan was arguing about the 80's rollerblading movie, "Airborn."  If you don't know it, look it up.  Jack Black and Seth Green have small parts in it, but this guy was quoting the movie and bets were made.  Yeah, it was that kind of moment in the night where you ask yourself if drinking at this particular spot is actually worth it. 

We thought it was worth it, so we I decided that I would stand up, kick the raiders fan in the junk and yell, "THIS IS SPARTA."  He dropped to his knees, gasping for air and Chad said, "Holy Cow," in the vocal styling of Harry Carey.  He high fived me and I shouted "Cubs win, Cubs win!" and we ordered another pitcher of beer.  Ok, maybe the simple assault I described above didn't really happen, but the longer this douche nozzle talked, the more it was slowly becoming a reality.  Luckily, no assaults were perpetuated that night, but the Cubs won and we drank enough to make Charlie Sheen and Nick Nolte proud.  

So, I told you all of that because it occurred to me that roadtrips and music have an inherent symbiosis.  Each makes the other more fun because, let's be honest, blasting MMJ's "At Dawn" while you doing 75 down Interstate 10 makes life worth living.  A roadtrip without music is like flying British Airways sober.  Each is impossible, so you belt out the lyrics to each song that comes on as you navigate the highway and your iPod. You sing along with Jim James, then you sing along with Dan Auerbach, then you sing along with Howlin' Wolf as loud as you can and the task of getting to a destination that's six hours away by car seems to be nothing more than a mobile sing-a-long with the musicians that you love.

This week I'm finally going to talk about The Boom Bang.  I say finally because I've been sort of sitting on this band for a few weeks now.  "Why?" you might ask. . .I have no idea really.  I've just been trying to get to all the music that crosses my path, and I'm finally getting to this band.  They sound like a tornado of surf music that gets played in some guy's garage, mixed with a hint of punk sentimentality.  Pause for a second and wrap your head around that combination of sounds. . .

Welcome back.  So, now you have an idea of what James Smith (vocals), Tommie McKenzie (guitar), Weston Lawrence (bass), and Charles Whetstone (drums) throw at you on their debut, World War Fun.  The Oklahoma foursome defy any single genre to make music that sounds like a garage band that plays loudly on the beach, then drinks more beer than you only to play more in the sand.  If the Beach Boys had a head on collision with Death From Above 1979, the resulting carnage would be The Boom Bang.  From the opening fuzz of "Ahh . . .Fresh Monsters," you realize that you're going to be riding along with a the sound of uncontrollable fun and there isn't a single disappointing song on the album.  Knowing that these guys are from the Oklahoma City area makes them the absolute best thing to come out of OKC since Wayne Coyne and his circus of The Flaming Lips.  Is that compliment too generous?  Nope.  Not a bit.  The album standouts are, "Skateboard Devito," "Tobacular," and the Dick Dale'esque "Drive Inn."

Check the boys out above and if you're in Pensacola any time soon, find the bar, The Ticket No. 2 and stop in for a drink or ten.  Ask for Teeka and tell her that I sent you.  She'll smile because she has good taste in friends.  

Until next weeks boys and girls . . ..

chris