U2 360° Tour: Committed to Being Environmentally Responsible

All I have to say is, "it’s about time"! Everyone needs to take part in being environmentally responsible. It’s really refreshing to see celebrities with so much money and power making a commitment to bettering our planet. The U2 360° Tour has committed to net zero emissions for their global tour. The producers of the tour, LiveNation, are in the works of producing the largest concert tour in history with an environmentally responsible policy.

The Environmental Advisor is a Minneapolis-based company Music Matters. Music Matters "...is dedicated to advancing sustainability and marketing in the music and entertainment business and working to leverage the power of music". Music Matters is a division of the consulting and marketing company, EFFECT Partners.

Music Matters is working with the production, venues, and U2 fans to reduce the environmental impact of the tour. Music Matters is setting up recycling programs, fans are encouraged to use Brita hydration stations to reduce use of plastic bottles, and the tour is offering fans a rideshare program so attendees can carpool.

Music Matters has also worked with Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson to reduce their carbon footprint during tours. I really commend these artists for their efforts. Hopefully bands like U2, Dave Matthews Band, and Jack Johnson will lead the way to a new standard of environmentally responsible touring.

The 2010 U2 360° Tour starts June 6 in Anaheim, Ca where they will play two shows at the Angels Stadium. The tour will begin in the United States and Canada then move on to Frankfurt, Moscow, Athens, Munich, Paris, Seville, and concludes in Rome on October 8, 2010.

Minneapolis will be lucky enough to have U2 at the new TCF Bank Stadium on June 27, 2010. Unfortunately, if you don’t have tickets yet you’ll have to search e-bay because they are SOLD OUT.

-Annie H.

U2 360° Tour: Committed to Being Environmentally Responsible

VIDEO: Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson - "Young Forever"

Here's the official music video for "Young Forever" off of Jay-Z's most recent album The Blueprint 3. It features Mr. Hudson of Mr. Hudson and the Library. The track samples the beat and adopts the hook from an Alphaville song of a similar name. Now, generally everything Jay-Z touches is gold, but I feel like this track is merely 1 karat. I love the original song ('80's nostalgia), but it's a bit slow for Mr. Carter and his rap style(s).




-Tim

VIDEO: Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson - "Young Forever"

Pandora: Add Experience to the Mix

As a long-time follower of Pandora Radio, I’ve watched them start-up, almost fail and then keep on keeping on. I’ve shared a few articles about them in the past (Here).

In 2004, I was a paying member of this Internet music service. A paying member gets “special” treatment and that means – no advertisements in my way on the web page, just straight music. When I met president and founder, Tim Westergren, in 2007 he asked me, “Why are you paying? You are probably the only one who does!” I guess I didn’t care since I felt like I was supporting internet radio and what they were trying to achieve; a community of like minded people who can connect and share the music they love amongst each other.

Every three months the Gods’ of Pandora would take $12 out of my account automatically. I didn’t notice it much until my credit card expired and all of a sudden advertisements started showing up all over my experience. At that point, I became intrigued. Pandora was targeting me as a savvy consumer.

Now it looks like they are taking ad’s one step further and creating experiences around them. In an article found on “The Future of Ads”, they go about explaining Pandora’s innovating advertising by way of banner experiences. Not only will they show me an ad, they will create some personalization around that ad to get me to notice and interact with it. Since they already know me (i.e. my musical style and my demographics) they are able to widget into my Pandora station interface and get me thinking…

Ah…My favorite Christmas station reminds me of chestnuts and open fires, friends and family. Oh wait; I need a new shovel and salt for the driveway to get them in, this is Minneapolis!

-Jodi

Pandora: Add Experience to the Mix

New Year's Eve: Twin Cities Music

In less than two weeks we will be stumbling our way into another year! With the holidays still left to endure it's difficult to think about where you want to be when that ball drops at Midnight.  House party? On a couch w/ a loved one? Drunk outside The Drink in Uptown?

Well, the Twin Cities' music scene is giving you plenty of reasons to spend your last seconds of 2009 at a concert venue near you. Some of the best in local music are throwing killer parties throughout our little metropolitan area. Here's three that are on my radar:

*NEW YEAR'S EVE W/ MARK MALLMAN*
Veteran rocker, Mark Mallman, has put together a stellar lineup for his New Year's Eve bash in Dinkytown.

Featuring: Mark Mallman, White Light Riot, & First Communion Afterparty

Where: The Varsity Theater

Details: Doors @ 8pm
                Tickets: $12
                18+

*2010: THE YEAR WE MAKE CONTACT*

89.3 The Current presents this benefit for music programs at Edison High School in Minneapolis. It may be one of the more expensive events of the night (go figure, it's in Downtown...at a hotel), but what it has to offer could be well worth the admission.

Featuring: Solid Gold (above), Freddy Fresh, Heatbox, & The Histronic

Where: Marriott City Center Ballroom

Details: Doors @ 8pm
                Tickets: $25 General/$75 VIP or donate an instrument
                18+


*NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE TRIPLE ROCK*
Perhaps one of the more eclectic shows of New Year's Eve, the Triple Rock is offering a night of R&B, hip hop, reggae, and soul. Also included...champagne jello shots and Confessions of 2009.

Where: Triple Rock Social Club

Featuring: Black Blondie (above right), Toki Wright, The Prizefighters, & DJ Turtleneck (of MPLS Kids Have More Fun)

Details: Doors @ 9pm
                Tickets: $7 Advance/$10 Door
                18+

Just a little food for thought. I began 2009 with a flying-champagne-cork to the head at a house party, so I plan on starting this new year a bit more positively with some good music and friends. Hope to see you out.

Here's City Pages' list of music events for Dec. 31st 2009.

-Tim

New Year's Eve: Twin Cities Music

Eddie Vedder Gets Engaged; Pays Tribute to The Boss

Eddie Vedder is finally engaged to his longtime girlfriend. The Pearl Jam singer-songwriter popped the question Friday night in Washington D.C. The couple were in D.C. to attend the Kennedy Center Honors Gala where Vedder performed paying tribute to honoree Bruce Springsteen. The two already have two children together (Vedder and his fiancee, not Springsteen).

First of all, it’s awesome Vedder is engaged. Congrats. However I’m a little surprised. I never saw him as the marrying kind.  He’s already been married and divorced once, but that isn’t why I see him the way I do. I always saw him as the guy who didn’t need to get married to prove he’s committed to someone. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because it’s every alternative girl’s dream to marry such an iconic musician or because he’s such an outspoken liberal and activist I just didn’t think it was his thing.

Secondly, he’s performing for one of my personal favorite artists: Bruce Springsteen. A night with three of my favorite men: Eddie Vedder, Bruce Springsteen, and Barack Obama. Even Obama recognizes the influence Springsteen has had saying, “Only a handful of people have tapped the full power of music to tell the American story... One of those is Bruce Springsteen...I’m the president, but he’s the boss.” Springsteen may be honored this year, but I know Vedder’s time will come.

-Rachel

Eddie Vedder Gets Engaged; Pays Tribute to The Boss

The 11 Most Embarassing Songs of the 2000's

So I gave you the top albums of the decade, but a recap would not be complete without mentioning those not-so-stellar contributions to music over the past ten years. You all can admit to jamming out to these songs (while alone in your car...or drunk) and I don’t blame you. While they are catchy songs and aren’t necessarily bad, they definitely fall into the category of "guilty pleasures".

For fun, 11points.com has posted their 11 most embarrassing songs of the 2000’s (recap listed below). Enjoy revisiting the past!

11. Miley Cyrus – “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)

10. Pussycat Dolls – “When I Grow Up” (2008)

9. T-Pain – “Buy U a Drank” (2007)

8. Jennifer Lopez – “Jenny From the Block” (2002)

7. Paris Hilton – “Stars Are Blind” (2006)

6. James Blunt – “You’re Beautiful” (2005)

5. Gwen Stefani – “Hollaback Girl” (2005)

4. Creed – “With Arms Wide Open” (2000)

3. Lady Gaga – “Poker Face” (2009)

2. Baja Men – “Who Let the Dogs Out” (2000)

1. Black Eyed Peas – “My Humps” (2005)

-Annie H.

The 11 Most Embarassing Songs of the 2000's

Rolling Stone's Best of the Decade

With the end of the decade upon us, comes the recap on all the great things that happened. The Rolling Stones new issue is all about The Bests of the Decade including: 100 greatest guitar songs, 100 greatest singers, 500 greatest songs, and 500 greatest albums. Rolling Stones will be unveiling more special decade-end features in the days to come before the New Year.

For all of you who’s memory is as terrible as mine this is a must have issue. Here is a sneak peak of Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of the Decade:

9. M.I.A. – Kala
8. Bob Dylan – Modern Times
7. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
6. Arcade Fire – Funeral
5. The White Stripes – Elephant
4. Jay-Z – The Blueprint
3. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
2. The Strokes – Is This It
1. Radiohead – Kid A

And where my favorite albums showed up:

17. Beck – Sea Change
26. Cat Power – The Greatest
42. Elliott Smith – Figure 8
47. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes
50. Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
61. The Shins – Oh, Inverted World
92. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago

As I read through the list I am reminded of all the great albums in the past ten years. I feel like I have re-discovered my iTunes playlist and I need to go back and listen to all of these songs again. Bands like Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, and The White Stripes show up more than once in this list and I would have to agree that these bands made a significant impact on the music industry in the past decade.

-Annie H.

Rolling Stone's Best of the Decade

Emanuel and the Fear - "The Rain Become the Clouds" (Video)

Emanuel and the Fear - "The Rain Become the Clouds" (Video)

Them Crooked Vultures

Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl’s new side project is one to pay attention to. Them Crooked Vultures is a new supergroup trio made up of musical heroes earning constant radio play. Grohl is back on the drums in this trio with Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme singing and Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones kicking it on the bass.

Them Crooked Vultures just released their self-titled debut album in November with “New Fang” (video below) as the first single. The album is a mix of Zeppelin-inspired riffs, Grohl beating on the drums like back in his Nirvana days, and eccentric “time signatures” that is the anchor and heart of Queens of the Stone Age. Check it out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one.



-Rachel

Them Crooked Vultures

The Nutrition Facts of a Song

Boston Public Health Commission announced their new tool to evaluate a songs “nutritional health” for teens called Sound Relationship Nutrition Label. Yes, song lyrics are being compared to nutritional health. The Commission states that next time you’re about to download a song, first check out how healthy it is for you. Just like you would evaluate food you were about to eat. This “tool” evaluates the relationship themes throughout the songs lyrics. They recommend consuming ‘healthy relationship’ ingredients for a balanced media diet. Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” was rated the top ten worst songs for relationship nutrition, but that’s no rocket science. The title gives that away.

So, I tried this out for myself to see how it works.

Here's the nutritional make-up for ELEVATION's “Razoreyes”:

Drama: 3
Obsession: 6
Disrespect: 0
Relationship = sex: 0
Manipulation: 0
Unhealthy score: 9
Fun: 9
Support: 7
Respect: 8
Equality: 8
Trust: 8
Healthy Score: 40

Well, according to my analysis, “Razoreyes” is a healthy relationship song. So all of you teens out there listen up! This song is full of healthy relationship lyrics!

I am not sure how valuable this approach of labeling songs “healthy” or “unhealthy” is or how using this tool will affect teens' perceptions of a healthy relationship. Personally, I feel that teens are far more influenced by the relationships they observe/experience in their families and not so much by musical lyrics. Nonetheless, this tool suggests that a teen’s impressions of romantic relationships are being negatively influenced by the drama, obsession, and disrespect in lyrics.

-Annie H.

The Nutrition Facts of a Song

Social Networkers Have a Responsibility as News Sources

Pete Cashmore of Mashable wrote an article for CNN predicting the top ten web trends to watch for in 2010.  Some of them are predictable.  He writes to expect several Twitter-copycats as people strive for even more real-time interaction with their world and the people in it.  Cashmore also says with the widespread use of smartphones and apps to expect even more convergence in our devices - for example, Tom Tom's and other GPS devices will likely go out of style and instead they will be sold as apps on iPhones, or even become an included feature.  He also says to watch for the increase in "cloud computing," like Apple's MobileMe, where data is no longer stored on one desktop, but instead stored on a server (or cloud) accessible to multiple devices at once. 

Possibly Cashmore's prediction with the most interesting consequences is the continuance of our news coming to us through our social network instead of a direct news source.  Practically every website, blog, and article have icons to post what you're looking at directly to your Facebook or Twitter account with one click.  With the "information overload" of today's internet, people are getting to know their world more and more through their friends.  This trend is extremely useful for sharing information with your entire social network instantly, but it also has interesting side effects. For example, if people are only paying attention to things that are shared with them through their social network they may be missing out on other relevant information that's not of interest to their social networking "friends".  Having shared interests is a good thing, but this could create a new kind of ignorance and uniform thinking.

In the past, people were concerned with news organizations merging together to create information powerhouses.  The fear was if one news organization controls too many outlets then the same information will be distributed through several channels giving people less choice and variety.  The thought is that it is better to have many different organizations with different agendas and different voices.  Well, now that news organizations are changing with the rapid use of social media I think the new concern in the next decade will be keeping variety in the content that people choose to share with their network.  This new system could work great as long as there is a healthy balance of people participating with new content and different interests.  If too many people become passive observers instead of contributors all we'll ever know about are trending Twitter topics and funny YouTube videos posted to our Facebook pages.  If people participate actively and intelligently the benefits can be very exciting. In my opinion, this should be a trend to strive for in 2010.

-Erin

Social Networkers Have a Responsibility as News Sources

iPhones Replace Musical Instruments at University

The University of Michigan is replacing instruments with iPhones in a course titled “Building a Mobile Phone Ensemble.” Taught by scientist and musician Georg Essl, students are learning to “design, build and play instruments on their Apple Inc. smartphones.” iPhone applications like Ocarina allow the phone to produce sounds similar to a flute-like instrument. Building an instrument on an iPhone can transform the phone to produce unique and different sounds. Students program the phone to “play back information it receives from one of its sensors as sound.”

I think it’s awesome that universities are taking a creative initiative giving traditional courses like music class a modern twist. It will appeal to students who are interested in taking a music course but have no musical training. Hopefully the school provides the phones otherwise that would be a very expensive course to take.

I don’t have an iPhone, I’m technologically illiterate, and touch phones weird me out, but I’d be extremely interested to see what these students produce. A public performance is scheduled for December 9, but for now here's a video of a practice performance.



 -Rachel

iPhones Replace Musical Instruments at University

“America’s Safest Cities”: Minneapolis, MN

Our beloved Minneapolis metropolitan area tops the Forbes.com list for the safest cities in the U.S. Minneapolis ranked in the top 10 in low crime rate, workplace fatalities, traffic-related deaths, and natural disaster risk categories.

The natural disaster risk was measure using in part The 2008 US City Rankings from SustainLane: People-Powered Sustainability Guide. They covered the greening of the 50 most-populous cities, which Minneapolis was 7th overall. Below is how Minneapolis ranked on all the criteria, including City communiting, metro transit, local food/agriculture, and green economy. Minneapolis, quoted the "midwestern jewel", is top ranked on local food and agriculture, communications, and city innovation.

Furthermore, Minneapolis is experiencing huge reductions in violent crimes due to proactive policing targeting the most violent criminals. Go Minneapolis! Check out the rest of Forbe's Safest Cities.

-Annie H.

“America’s Safest Cities”: Minneapolis, MN

Eye of the Tiger Sale

I'm just as over the "Tiger Woods has a mistress" media swarm as the next person, but I couldn't resist taking a look at this. Spirit Airlines is offering a sale on airfare prices as low as $9 in honor of the newest sports-figure-scandal.

The Eye of the Tiger sale - watch the ad



I'm not entirely sure what golf, Tiger Woods, car accidents or anything involved in this ad have to do with flying and buying airplane tickets. I had also never heard of Spirit Airlines before today either. Clearly the ad campaign is working. At least while it lasts. I predict tomorrow's post will be something like, "Tiger Woods sues Spirit Airlines for invasion of privacy and appropriation. And loses."

Eye of the Tiger Sale

Neil Young is the Prince of Bel-Air

Watch this hilarious clip of Jimmy Fallon on his late night show performing as Neil Young singing the theme song from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air TV show.



When I first saw this clip I thought it was really Neil Young singing it and I thought it was genius, but when I watched it again it was Fallon. He not only looks like Neil Young, but he sounds ridiculously similar to him. I’ve never watched Fallon’s show, but if this is what his show entails I might be intrigued to watch it more often. I loved Fallon on SNL and it looks like he’s carrying some of his antics over to his own talk show.

-Rachel

Neil Young is the Prince of Bel-Air

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25

For all of you who missed it, this is a must see concert. On November 29^th HBO presented a two day concert in Madison Square Garden in celebration of the 25^th Anniversary of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year Jeff Beck and Metallica were inducted. Many legends including Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Simon & Garfunkel, U2, Metallica, and even Ozzy Osbourne made an appearance singing “Iron Man” with  Metallica.

This generation of music is before my time, but I still recognize all of these artists as creating masterpieces of their time. All I can say is that I was completely captivated as I watched this:

-Annie H.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Turns 25