Ricky James, keyboardist and vocalist for the rapidly rising band, Neighbor, joins The Nature of Music to share the backstory to the rock odyssey, Silver.  Silver not only features powerful nature-inspired imagery. The odyssey is an epic tale that inspires fans to come together and save our magnificent planet Earth, which humanity is harming in ways that threaten to collapse our civilization. James begins by sharing the backstory of Silver's origins. Moving through each song, he delves into never-before-shared details, including about the upcoming prequel. James leaves fans with with a message of hope and a call to action, reflected in the lyrics of Silver's concluding song, "We Need You":

Time to heal
time to please
Be aware of others needs

Time to help
time to give
On the planet where we live

Time to join together now
Working hand in hand
Take a moment from your day
And give back to the land...

Multi-talented musician and music industry veteran, Paige Clem, joins the Nature of Music. Clem, whose history includes serving as a member of the team that produces the legendary High Sierra Music Festival, shares powerful stories about the role of nature as a grounding force in her life - inspiring her to focus on her present surroundings. After she names the Gorge Amphitheater as her favorite concert venue, I ask Paige if she's heard the story of the cataclysmic Glacial Lake Missoula Floods, which tore through that area of SE Washington and the Columbia River Gorge at the end of the last ice age. To hear her response - and this mind-blowing story - enjoy Episode 12...

This month, The Nature of Music podcast is honored to have as our guest Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr, President & Founder of Hip Hop Caucus. Rev. Yearwood is a pacemaker in the climate crisis solutions movement with a remarkable track record of successfully bridging the gap between communities of color and environmental advocacy. Our conversation starts by exploring the origins of his nature and climate-related passions: a tale involving Hurricane Katrina (and before that, a love of birds). Rev. Yearwood shares insights from decades of leveraging the power of music (including through the People's Climate Music campaign) to (1) raise awareness of the benefits of climate crisis and social justice solutions, and (2) broaden the movement demanding 100% renewable energy for all. Along the way, he reveals the backstory to several of Hip Hop Caucus’ powerfully emotive music videos, including Trouble In the Water, Stand Up / Stand N Rock, and All We Really Have Is Now. 

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Nick Forster, host of the eTown radio show and multi-instrumentalist member of the legendary bluegrass band, Hot Rize, joins The Nature of Music for an interview celebrating eTown's 30th B'Earthday! Our conversation starts by exploring the origins of Forster's environmental passions: a tale involving the heroic activism of Nick's mother in the presence of Pete Seeger. Forster shares insights from decades of conversations with eTown guests, covering big issues from climate change to biodiversity conservation to environmental justice, and solutions from renewable energy (including the backstory to solar-powered eTown Hall) to sustainable agriculture to the importance of each of us taking action to protect our magnificent planet. Along the way, he tells the backstory to moving eTown performances in which he hosted James Taylor, The War and Treaty, and Brandi Carlile and Rufus Wainwright.

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Michael Kang of The String Cheese Incident joins The Nature of Music for an insightful and fun interview brimming with stories of outdoor adventure. In a fascinating conversation, he reveals the origins of his musical career in Alaska - and in a chance encounter in Crested Butte, Colorado. Kang shares tales from the rainforests of Costa Rica, to the beaches of New Zealand, to the mountains of British Columbia. He reflects on his work converting wastewater to algae biofuels and talks about his partnership with a company advancing a new carbon capture technology (coming soon to businesses that utilize CO2 - from restaurants and bars, to greenhouses, to industrial facilities). Along the way, he tells the nature-inspired backstory to String Cheese songs such as Desert Dawn, Water, and Round the Wheel.

Please click here to make a concert ticket-level donation that supports The Nature of Music’s work providing you with something positive to enjoy during these crazy times.

Musician, curious life-explorer, and former international ambassador for Burning Man, Bear Kittay, joins The Nature of Music to share fascinating insights and stories from around the world. Kittay tells the backstory of musical tracks from his new album, "Quarantine at El Ganzo" (produced with Norwegian sensation, Erlend Øye), as well as an unreleased track recorded with members of The North Mississippi Allstars and production support from Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads.

Avery Hellman of Ismay shares the backstory to their nature-inspired albums, Songs from a River and Songs of Sonoma Mountain. We explore the influence of nature on their lyrics, songs and passions - touching on fascinating topics from their favorite species, to the habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation work on their ranch, to their passion for indigenous knowledge. Hellman shares three songs (including one cover) that each feature mesmerizing fingerpicking and enchanting vocals.

Please click here to make a concert ticket-level donation that supports our hard work producing The Nature of Music, providing you with something positive to enjoy during these crazy times.

Guster guitarist and music industry sustainability leader, Adam Gardner, shares the story behind REVERB (including Bonnie Raitt’s role in its origins), talks about REVERB’s work reducing the climate and environmental impacts of concert tours, and tells a moving tale of two trips to Latin America that inspired participants (who included members of Guster, Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, KT Tunstall and others) to combat the devastating impacts of illegal logging.

Please click here to make a concert ticket-level donation that supports REVERB & The Nature of Music’s work providing you with something positive to enjoy during these crazy times.