*****

Photo Credit Kris Krug / Static Photography. View more photos from TEDxOil Spill Expedition on Flickr.

As I sit here writing this, up to 100 million gallons of oil has spewed into the gulf and as it continues to do so, it is destroying our fragile ecosystem and people’s livelihoods. We cannot just sit, watch the news and continue to say, “This is horrible!” and, “How could this happen?” without some action to back it up. This problem is our problem now and we need to stand up and help where ever and however we can.

WHO IS HELPING THE GULF COAST REGION?

There are so many groups doing amazing work along the Gulf coastlines.  After days of due diligence and research, our co-producer Sloane Berrent came back to the group with multiple nonprofits to partner with and options but we all narrowed in on the Gulf Restoration Network’s new initiative, Gulf Future, because we all thought it reflected our mission. Support the coastal and fishing communities, restore the marine and costal environments and, maybe most important, make people aware and responsible for what has happened in the Gulf so history does not repeat itself in the future.

HOW ARE WE RAISING MONEY?

Naturally owning The Roxy in Los Angeles, I thought we should throw a benefit concert, but then wondering how to make it really have an impact, it came to me, what if we reached out to our neighbor businesses to see if we could all work together and really take something as simple as a benefit concert and turn it into a wave of action. I then reached out to Casey Phillips, who I knew as a true New Orleans man and someone who had a real “on the ground” pulse of what was happening. Not only was he a native of the area but also the talent buyer for multiple clubs including our own Sunset Strip neighbor, The Viper Room. Casey echoed my same thoughts and went into action immediately bringing in Sloane Berrent and The Roxy’s Megan Jacobs along with a team of people who knew something had to be done now. Three weeks and a couple of thousands emails later, we now have over 50 independent music venues and over 100 bands fighting for the cause.

All the venues will send their gate revenues from these shows directly to Gulf Restoration Network within 72 hours of our shows.  Also, our donation widget send funds directly to the Gulf Restoration Network’s account so we don’t ever touch the donations and they all go directly to the nonprofit partner. We’re making sure it gets into the hands of community groups like Bayou Grace and St. Bernard Community Center within weeks and we’ll be sharing that with those who made donations both online and through attending events through social networks and follow up blog posts with our partners.

WE HAVE VENUES, NOW WE NEED TALENT….

The Roxy, The Viper Room, The Comedy Store and Tipitinas are among dozens of the nations best clubs and music venues that are coming together in solidarity to fundraise for gulf oil spill communities on July, 1st. Plus individuals have planned smaller events to support our efforts across 11 countries, it’s pretty incredible!

This is our call to action as it is for all the bands that our participating in this national one day event and we’ve gotten such incredible talent including:

Rebelution / Galactic / Kaki King / Mickey Avalon / Ben Lee / Guitar Shorty / Iglu & Hartly / Ivan Neville / Cisco & Shwayze / Walter Wolfman Washington  / Sarah Borges / Coco Robicheaux / Beardo / Wicker / Lost Bayou Ramblers / Rotary Downs / Daryl Hannah / Dave Faustino/ Ed Begley Jr

Although I’m unsatisfied with the clean up and the support that the fisherman have received so far, I am inspired to know that all over the world people are signing up and either giving their time and effort or donating money to make a difference in the spill zone. That gives me great hope that when we look to our neighbors, no matter how close or far away they may be, we will always come together to help the ones in need, that is what our great country is best at. What we have put together is only the beginning of a long line of projects that others will continue to do until every drop of oil is cleaned up, every bird and fish healthy and every person who has been directly affected by this has been compensated. We can only accept yelling at the TV after we have done something to make difference so please get involved anyway you can. The time is now!

This is the beginning of a blog post that I am seeing coming flying into my google alerts and into my inbox. It’s the start of a groundswell for tomorrow night’s Gulf Coast Benefit concerts.

Current stand is 60 Meetups, about 45 which are music venues and the rest are awareness get-togethers. It’s grown to 5 countries too (shout out to the Montreal and Paris contingent in particular)! 100% of online donations and the ticket price at venues is going to Gulf Restoration Network. Those who know me, know that I look to inspire others to find ways to give back and this benefit series is speaking to the passionate resolve we all have to help others in times of need.

How can you get involved? Make a donation, whatever amount you can give. Every dollar counts. Then, how about asking 5 friends to match you? Send an email or post to your Facebook wall and say something like:

I just donated $10 to support Gulf Benefit Concerts, will you match my donation?

You can attend. Full listing of venues is on the Meetup Everywhere page.

You can blog about the events. This takes our message to your fans, supporters and friends. A blog post goes a long way! An article in your local paper helps tell more people about what we’re up to. To give you inspiration, here are links to some of the most recent press we’ve gotten. (And huge thanks to everyone below).

• Antiquiet Interview with Co-organizer Casey Phillips:
  

  New Orleans has been in a fight for survival for the past decade. In terms of the deep musical spirit of the area, what’s the general atmosphere among local artists in relation to this crisis?
  
  The strength of the NOLA musical community is a force that some may have doubted before Katrina, but few question anymore. They have lead by example these past 5 years by refusing to let our musical heritage disappear. To me they represent pillars of strength for others to draw inspiration from. The cajun culture of the bayou regions is as important to Louisiana’s heritage as jelly-roll jazz. Right now the future for the fishing communities looks bleak, however, but I can say with certainty that the cajuns are proud people, and the backbone of Louisiana – we will not let them down.

• Live Earth
  

  “We know through music and the generosity of people that we can help make a difference in the Gulf Coast.” Adler says. “We hope this inspires others to make a donation, attend an event and get involved.”

• Fayetteville Flyer

Mountain of Venus, Matt Stell & the Crashers, Bent Grass Green, Black Pearl, Tiffany Christopher and Sarah Hughes will play the show on Thursday at George’s. The suggested donation is $10, and 100% off the door from the show will be donated to the cause.

“We tried to book a diverse group of music, from different genres to try and get all kinds of folks to come out,” said Mountain of Venus’s Tanya Shylock, one of the organizers of the local benefit at George’s.

• Surfer Mag
  

  Rebelution sells out nearly EVERY venue they play in southern California, so this is bound to be a fantastic event!

• Fusicology
  

  Many of our fellow Americans in the foreseeable future will have no livelihood, they’re preparing to leave their homes, and are now lining up for food handouts. The wetlands and wildlife are in desperate need of our attention now and can’t wait for BP to start the clean up process. With hurricane season on the horizon there is reason for great concern and it’s crucial the affected communities be prepared for the worst.

Hoping for much more press, good will, donations and attendance to come. And if you want to get involved, what are you waiting for? Do it! And let me know how I can help.

Update: Full Press List for Gulf Coast Benefits:

• Mashable
• CNN iReport
• Huffington Post
• Huffington Post: The Skinny
• Case Foundation’s Social Citizens
• LAist
• What Gives
• Socialbrite
• Antiquiet
• Live Earth
• Fayetteville Flyer
• Surfer Mag
• Fusicology
• Washington Post Online
• Guide to Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• NOLA.com
• The Gambit
• Paisley Petunia
• Taylor Davidson

Radio/TV

• KROQ Radio
• WWOZ New Orleans Music Show with George Ingmire
• WWL appearance July 1st

What to help and GET INVOLVED? Read more or skip to the get involved part!

Along with Nic Adler, owner of The Roxy on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, CA; Megan Jacobs of The Roxy, Casey Phillips, talent buyer for venues including Tipitina’s in New Orleans and Viper Room & The Mint in Los Angeles, and a terrific support team, we have over 25 venues on board nationally to support this effort with 100% of proceeds going DIRECTLY to the Gulf Restoration Network (@healthygulf on Twitter) and their community-based effort called Gulf Future.

Daryl Hannah, Dave Faustino, Ed Begley Jr., Rebelution, Nicky Avalon and venues like The Roxy, Viper Room, Spaceland, The Echo, The Mint, Fais Do Do, The Comedy Store, Tipitina’s, Press Room and more are involved have enlisted their efforts to help! Volunteers in each city and music industry heavy-hitters are jumping in. Now it’s YOUR TURN!

Is it ambitious to gather music venues around the country to donate ticket sales on July 1st and create an online giving platform that encourages donations to the relief efforts? You betcha. But the people, wildlife and wetlands affected need our support and we’ve combined efforts and networks to make this successful and meaningful for those in the Gulf Coast.

Revenues from ticket sales will be donated to help the fishermen and their families along the Gulf Coast cope with this disaster and aid wildlife and wetlands restoration for the Gulf Coast. Over 25 venues have been confirmed and more are being added every day. Artists performing include national as well as local acts across the US.

“We know through music and the generosity of people that we can help make a difference in the Gulf Coast.” Adler says. “We hope this inspires others to make a donation, attend an event and get involved.”

The wetlands and wildlife are in desperate need of our attention now and we can’t wait for BP to take care of those in need. Many of our fellow Americans will have no livelihood, are preparing to leave their homes and are now lining up for food handouts. With hurricane season on the horizon, there is reason for great concern and it’s crucial the affected communities be prepared for the worst.

What YOU can do!
1) Make a donation! We’re using a WhatGives donation widget where 100% of donations go to Gulf Restoration Network. GRN is distributing the funds directly to community groups after July 1st. You can also put this donation widget on YOUR site!

2) Attend one of the 25+ shows around the country on July 1st! The venue lineup is almost complete. The website and Meetup Everywhere widget are being updated daily. Or go DIRECTLY to the venue’s website and buy tickets. Invite your friends. Have them buy tickets. 100% of proceeds from the door are being donated. Venues from LA to Kansas City and Portsmouth to Aspen are participating. Don’t see a venue in your city? Plan an event of your own on Meetup Everywhere or make a straight donation!

3) Follow @gulfbenefit on Twitter and friend us on Facebook. Put our Twibbon on your Facebook and Twitter profile!

Stay involved! Post the following message:

#RockTheSpill with @GulfBenefit on July 1st at a venue near you! http://bit.ly/gulfbenefit #oilspill #gulf #bp

4) Blog about it! Email your friends! Tell your press and PR contacts that this is an awesome story to cover. You can use copy from our online press release or from this blog post. Every little bit helps.

5) Join the Google Group! We’re creating conversation about what people can do to help – yes for these concerts but beyond this as well. Join TODAY and enter our conversation about more ways to help.

There is a lot of work to be done between now and July 1st. I’m tireless and fearless when it comes to lending a hand and helping others. Are you? Questions, comments, feedback – I welcome them all!

Email me at sloane@thecausemopolitan.com or contact me via Twitter through @sloane.

To a better tomorrow than we have today,
Sloane

Ok Go couldn’t have said it better as I work to get over my growing pains. This Too Shall Pass. But what I take away even more than the name of the song is this kick ass video above. Ready for this? My friends (including The Freshness) over at Mindshare, with their Labs division now called Synn Labs made it.

What’s more is the story that developed last week when OK Go left their label, EMI, in a dispute over how to dispense and share their new video with their fans. You remember their first viral video “Here It Goes Again” on the treadmills? 50 million views! EMI, not getting any revenue from youTube and struggling to find ways to reinvent the music industry decided not to allow the next video to be embedded. Which means you can only watch it on YouTube. THAT defeats the purpose of what a viral video needs to do. It needs to be spread and put on blogs and shown around the web. It’s meant to be shared.

OK Go got this, and the fans want it, but EMI said no. And so in a bold and brave move, OK Go has left their label and announced that they’re starting their own.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Damian Kulash, the lead singer of OK Go wrote an op-ed for The New York Times, “WhoseTube” where he talked about the embed issues with his label and the art of the viral video. A quote from his piece is below:

Embedded videos — those hosted by YouTube but streamed on blogs and other Web sites — don’t generate any revenue for record companies, so EMI disabled the embedding feature. Now we can’t post the YouTube versions of our videos on our own site, nor can our fans post them on theirs. If you want to watch them, you have to do so on YouTube.

But this isn’t how the Internet works. Viral content doesn’t spread just from primary sources like YouTube or Flickr. Blogs, Web sites and video aggregators serve as cultural curators, daily collecting the items that will interest their audiences the most. By ignoring the power of these tastemakers, our record company is cutting off its nose to spite its face.

The numbers are shocking: When EMI disabled the embedding feature, views of our treadmill video dropped 90 percent, from about 10,000 per day to just over 1,000. Our last royalty statement from the label, which covered six months of streams, shows a whopping $27.77 credit to our account.

As I’ve been following this story, I also caught a video of my friend Shira Lazar interviewing Damian Kulash for CBS News Online, here is the interview:

I’ve loved OK Go’s music for years, first seeing them at The Roxy in Los Angeles in 2005 (before the treadmill video) when Damian jumped onto an amp and sung a song at the top of his lungs without a microphone. I thought “that’s an artist” and they don’t make them like that anymore. I love them all the more – not for sticking it to the man – but for sticking up for what they believe in, questioning the status quo, but doing it in a way that makes you think without having to make you mad. It’s a real argument going on across digital media industries, how to monetize, how to make sense of what’s going on in the convergence between new and traditional ways of sharing content. It’s a debate that’s been alive for years, but as we see from this recent incarnation of artist vs. label, the final word is still very much uncertain.

Related Posts:
In Transit in the Philippines
Three Exciting Announcements
The Causemopolitan’s First Birthday

LA Tech in 2009

Well friends, SXSW is here! It’s hard to believe a year has gone by since the last one. Before I move forward talking about all the goodness and goodies in store for this year, I thought I would first highlight my posts from last year’s SXSW. You know, reflecting back before I move forward. Here we go.

SXSW Core Conversation: How LA Has Built A Sucessful Tech Community

Los Angeles has become a hub for tech startups with new ones popping up every day. Relationships are being formed and VCs are paying attention. Universities are showcasing developer opportunities unique to the city. So how did this happen? Welcome to networking 2.0. From Lunch 2.0 to Interactive Community Coalitions, BarCamp to Twiistup, LA is a great case study of how to build a successful tech community in your city. Join the organizers of the city’s most popular networking events for tips, advice, the how to’s and what-not-to-do’s to make your city’s community pop.

SXSW Fan Girl

Life just doesn’t really get much better than those 9 days in Austin each year when your mind is blown, your heart is full and your feet ache from exploration.

The Cause-Filled Life: A Socialbrite Interview

Click here to view the embedded video.

Five Tips on How to Rawk SXSW Music

3) PROXIMITY

Proximity from one venue to the next is HUGE. Next year I’d like to think I’ll scoot out to Scoot Inn, Continental Club, Playboy Party, Fader Fort…but the truth is, I can’t guarantee that. I’m not going to sacrifice hours to get to a party too far away from the main strip. Even La Zona Rosa becomes a trek by the last day. The pedi-cabs are awesome and if my friends had bikes we could roll that way too. Be aware of where each place is you want to go. Some days I created an almost circle going from one place to the next.

Music Monday: The SXSW Edition

Click here to view the embedded video.

And then shortly thereafter…

• My Love Letter to New Orleans
• Come Hear Me Speak @Net2NO Tonight

Related Posts:
Joining the Social Media Revolution
Giving Back on Your Birthday: The Doug Campbell Interview
5 Things: My Notes on the Twitter Roadmap

“Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt and live like it’s heaven on Earth.” – Mark Twain

I captured the video above while at The Saint, a truly terrific dive bar in the Lower Garden District, on the final stop of an epic New Year’s Eve here in New Orleans with my friends. And while yes, at the time, I was really amused with the carefree way this guy was dancing after many many libations, when I got home and was looking at videos the next day, I couldn’t help but think…carefree or not, drunk or sober, aware of your surroundings or totally oblivious there is something to be said for living in the moment. Because moments come and go, and we are always looking back and remembering or looking forward and anticipating but if I can take one piece of 2009 with me into 2010 it will be this: Live in the moment.

Oh, and dance more myself.

You can see more of my videos by subscribing to my YouTube page here.

If you liked this post, you might like:
The Dance
TGIF Video: Playing for Change
Charity Smackdown – Team Brea FTW!

Vote for Derek Tabb - CNN Hero of the Year!

Roots of Music are marching forth to help their teacher, Derrick Tabb, become the next CNN Hero of the Year! Vote NOW, voting closes 6AM so do it NOW!

A native New Orleanian and snare drummer for popular Rebirth Brass Band, Derrick Tabb and friend, Alison Rheinheart, created New Orleans’ only non-profit music program that provides free instruments, music education, supplementary tutoring, hot meals and transportation to more than 100 at-risk youth.

I was fortunate enough to meet them both this past spring when I was in New Orleans and volunteer for Roots of Music. I’ve been a big fan ever since and am really excited to see this incredibly organization getting the national recognition it deserves.

The Roots of Music program instills structure and discipline in its program participants, 85 percent of which have seen grade increases of at least one letter grade in at least one class. To date, the Roots of Music program has more than 400 children waiting to join the program.

“The students of the Root of Music have been working incredibly hard to help their mentor win,” says Allison Reinhardt, Co-Founder and Program Director of the Roots of Music. “Over the past few weeks, they have been going out to music venues, conferences, local colleges, and coffee shops all over the city, handing out flyers and asking people to vote for Derrick.”

“Voting for Derrick is really voting for the kids of the Roots of Music,” says Reinhardt. “I see it in their eyes everyday; these kids are the real heroes.”

Voting ends at 6:00 a.m. EST, November 19. Selected as a finalist out of more than 9,000 nominees, Derrick Tabb and the Roots of Music program could win a much-needed $100,000 if he wins the prestigious CNN Hero of the Year award. Find out on Thanksgiving, 9 pm EST, if Derrick will become the next CNN Hero of the Year.

For more information:
Learn more about Roots of Music including how they will spend the $100,000.
See photos from their performance at Voodoo Fest 2009

If you liked this post, you might like:
My Love Letter To New Orleans
It’s Not All Puppies and Babies in New Orleans
On Recycling

Cebu Prisoners Dancing To Michael Jackson.

If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson’s music, you’re going to be a fan of what I am about to share with you. This is my third music mix and I’m really liking using mixable. I might try to venture one month into GarageBand, but in the meantime, this is a good way to get a little music from me to you.

This is a mix by DJ PhilAm and it’s all the MJ packed into 33 minutes you could want. Stream or download it and enjoy:

http://mixable.net/fkoiexztja/

*Remember if you like the music you hear, support artists by buying their work.*

I’m taking requests for upcoming themes and types of music – if you have anything you’d like to hear me put together or genres to tackle – either leave me a comment or send an email to sloane@thecausemopolitan.com

I was trying to articulate how I’ve been able to overcome the hump. In short, how in the world this past year – which by all accounts has turned by world upside down ten times over – somehow has left me stronger and more sure of myself in ways I can’t even fully fathom yet – seeing as how I’m still in the midst of all these changes.

A simple story occurred to me, and I wanted to share it here with you.

Last night I was invited to a bar in Manila with live music by an Australian expat I was introduced to over email. How I met her is in and of itself a tale of making things happen. Another Kiva Fellow, Susan Arthur, introduced me over email to Gregg Butensky, who has an ongoing library project here in the Philippines. Our schedules here didn’t overlap, but he introduced me to Cherie McCosker, the Australian mentioned above who works here with Advocate of Philippine Fair Trade, Inc. Cherie and I met up for dinner last week to talk fair trade, economic development, Kiva, microfinance and living abroad. She is incredible and I’m so happy to have met her.

Cherie invited me to hear a band she loves, Juan Pablo Dream, a bassa nova band here in the Philippines. She said it would be “jazzy, funky, with trumpets and cover songs and lots of dancing.” I love live music, I couldn’t wait to go.

But Friday I was beat tired. I’ve had some long weeks and they are starting to take a toll. I really considered many times between 8-11pm to text her and say I just couldn’t make it. I just don’t like bailing on plans and so I dragged my weary bones to meet her at Penguin Bar in Malate. I arrived, paid the 150 peso cover (including a beer coupon this is about a $3 cover charge). My jaw dropped.

Everyone was dancing without a care in the world! It was a lot of expats, Peace Corps people, hippies and the band. Wow. Soul, funk, no pretension and just making sure everyone was having a good time. Not a huge venue, just a little bar with a band performing at the front. The kind of fun, spontaneous night that I would have in Los Angeles with my friend Casey and her and I would just dance and dance and laugh and just enjoy the moment for what it was.

This slightly drunk hippie french couple were dancing. They weren’t particularly good but I couldn’t stop watching them. He would turn her and twist her and sometimes one or the other would half lose their balance and almost fall and then laugh and hug each other and keep going. They had the appearance of great dancers. A light bulb went off. They looked great and like they had such terrific rhythm because they didn’t stop moving. They kept going and so even losing their balance looked like a dance step. They didn’t care if they messed up, they weren’t performing a particular move, just moving to the music in a way that felt good to them. They were free and you could see it in every dip and step they took.

Here’s what I came up with. That’s how I see my life now.

I keep moving. There is no right or wrong as long as I keep going. This doesn’t have to mean physically or geographically moving around, but the act of keeping going. Keep going. Keep moving. Experience the rhythm of life, take it all in and then interpret it however you want to. There are always people on the sidelines. People scared to dance, they don’t know how, they don’t like the song being played. But what if we all got up and threw our heads back and closed our eyes and just tried. Just danced anyway.

You don’t have to be good, you just have to try. And somehow, in the trying, you find your own rhythm and that is the greatness. That is what makes all the difference.

The song I hear now is not familiar to me. I’m in a country not my own, on my own. But I don’t feel alone, and I don’t feel lost. I feel like I’m moving a little bit closer every day to my legacy, to where my life is supposed to be. And that is one sweet song to hear.

For Your Listening Pleasure

You’re always so good to me. I wanted to do something nice for you. In fact, I’ve decided to do something nice for you every month. I’ll be making a monthly custom mix of the jams I’ve been listening to and will share with you accordingly.

Many of you received my first mix on mixable, entitled Kiva Mix, SXSW 2009 Edition. That one was for everyone who made a donation to my Kiva Fellowship Fund. It’s all bands from this year’s SXSW and in case you missed it, I saw 44 bands in 4 days just to come away with the best of up and coming music and bands for 2009. I slaved and labored away just to share this with you (or slight confession I just love live music but shhh don’t tell anyone). For the first time ever, I’m releasing it to the public here. Why? Because everyone deserves good music to jam out to. Why else? Because so many of you have helped me in ways that while not financial were no less important like spreading the word about my blog, commenting on my posts, sending me messages of encouragement not to mention the Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn love. What about those who made donations? Don’t you worry, they are receiving plenty of other treats from me.

Get it while it’s hot! Available to stream live, or download the whole thing for free and play thru Itunes, The Kiva Mix, SXSW 2009 Edition.

Oh wait, there was more right. Yes, yes, I remember. The July Mix for you.

Ok, so I’ve named this one Typhoon Musica. It’s a mix of new jams I’ve picked up, a special New Orleans jam song (if you don’t know the Cupid Shuffle, man get with it! People literally STOP their cars in New Orleans and get out in the street and dance to this. Totally serious).

Downloand Typhoon Music Now!

It has an Emperor of the Sun song I can just listen to all day long, one of my all-time favorite Joseph Arthur songs, King Khan & The Shrines, a Grits class, Army Navy, Asobi Seksu to lull you at the end. Each track hand-picked and carefully created to create a musical experience that can take you through a workout, jamming in your car, or needing to get down to business at work.

If you have suggestions for songs or themes for coming months, let me know!

Cause I love rock and roll,
Sloane