The Honey Brothers
The Honey Brothers like to tell people they formed one dog year ago at ukulele fantasy camp, then took to the streets of New York City, serenading street people and pretzel vendors with their whimsical new-wave folk tunes. This anecdote might tell you something about the spirit in which The Honey Brothers were conceived, way back in 2001 in the wake of 9/11. "The band began as a way to find joy in life," says Ari Gold, who, with his college friends Andrew Vladeck and DS Posner, formed the group's original nucleus.
"It was a time when people sought comfort and healing with their friends," recalls Andrew, "and we rekindled our spirits with ukuleles. We'd get together and make dinner, drink booze, and learn old folk songs. Then we'd wander outside and sing for people on street corners."
That familial, communal vibe was cemented even further when Adrian Grenier joined shortly after the band's first public gig in 2002. "We have solidified as real brothers," Adrian says. "At first it was sort of a symbolic thing, but now I think our DNA has merged on a molecular level." Indeed it is the band's DNA, the distinct personalities of all five members, and what they bring to the table, that makes this group the exuberant band of brothers that they are.
In September, The Honey Brothers offered the song "Demonstration" as a free music download here on Climate Crossroads. That was in conjunction with its low-carbon, eco-tour.
Along with the song, they had this to say: "Yes, it has a beat and you can dance to it, but our music reflects our active interest in the world-at-large, and the environment in particular. The current rate of consumption is fueling destruction of many parts of the earth, affecting people in direct and immediate ways. We only have one world, and we have to share it with millions of neighbors and future generations. We try to observe the classic maxim "think globally, act locally" -- from taking actions to make our studio and touring habits more eco-friendly, to increasing awareness through our involvement in political causes and conversations, to incorporating our concerns into lyrics and sharing them with whoever is willing to listen -- or dance along to our beat."
Are you a friend of the environment? Have you recorded a song that you'd like to see posted here? Send us an mp3 and we might post it!
We plan on posting several new, free downloads a month. If your song is selected, we'll ask you to send us a brief bio and complete a signed usage agreement. (You must be able to affirm that you have unrestricted rights to the music you want us to offer.) Your song will be available for free on ClimateCrossroads.org. A write-up about you, your music, and your green tendencies will be featured on this page. Please note, the Sierra Club does not pay any royalties to bands and artists who receive promotion on ClimateCrossroads.org or any of the Sierra Club Online Communities, nor does the Sierra Club charge any money to promote your music.
If you send us your submission, be sure to include the following in the email:
1. Name of Artist/ Contact.
2. E-Mail Address.
3. Telephone number.
4. The name of your music track.
5. The mp3 file.
