"In this new eco-green world, every issue is a green issue," says Jack Johnson, who's taken steps to reflect that reality in his recording and touring choices. At the Los Angeles headquarters of his Brushfire Records-a cozy single-family home on warm-and-fuzzy Larchmont Boulevard-this Live Earth veteran and his business partners recently oversaw construction of a new recording studio insulated with used denim and powered in part by solar panels located on the roof. "It was an investment for sure, which will take a good number of years to get a return on financially," Brushfire managing director Josh Nicotra says. "But in terms of environmental impact, the returns are immediate, so we were happy to do it." (Recent bookings at the studio include Neil Halstead, Mason Jennings and Vampire Weekend.) Johnson, a lifelong surfer who splits his time between homes in Oahu and Santa Barbara, Calif., says that he inherited much of his ecological awareness from his dad, who viewed recycling, reusing and repairing as simple facts of life. Johnson also describes his activism as the natural outgrowth of spending his downtime in two of the world's most gorgeous locations. He will continue giving back to Hawaii with his April 19-20 Kokua Festival, at which he will perform with Dave Matthews. Proceeds benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports environmental education in the state's schools and communities. And for his 2008 tour in support of "Sleep Through the Static," Johnson has updated his so-called "EnviroRider," requiring venues to reduce waste and recycle. In addition, the tour's trucks and coaches will run on biodiesel, while catering will emphasize locally grown and organic foods. This guy means business: "You will be required to notify the Jack Johnson organization no later than 60 days prior to the event if there is any possibility of noncompliance with these requirements," the rider reads, before threatening to withhold 5% of payment from venues that fail to produce documentation of cooperation by 10 days after Johnson's concert. Just call him the jolly green giant. Mikael Wood |
