An interview with cellist Ben Sollee, who will bike to...
Rated • 1 review • activism, music, bonnaroo, environment, cycling • grist.org
From the page:
Nestled into a lush farm in Manchester, Tennessee, the blockbuster Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will roll out an impressive set of sustainability green goals as a backdrop for its amazing slate of shows next weekend, June 11-14. The great lineup notwithstanding - from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to Wilco - acclaimed cellist and crooner Ben Sollee may stand out as a singular act in reducing the festival's carbon footprint.
Selected as an NPR Top Ten new artist to watch, Sollee's unique work has been hailed as a blend of Al Green's soulful pipes with Yo Yo Ma's original string compositions. He will forego the jet arrival and zig-zag his way over 300 miles through the Kentucky hills and Tennessee Cumberlands on an Xtracycle (extended-frame bicycle). Sollee will be pulling his 1930 Kay cello, along with 60 pounds of equipment, for the weeklong tour, as part of a benefit of Oxfam America's development programs. Sollee has also been a vocal participant in numerous anti-mountaintop removal benefits in the region.
Rock on! Yet just another reason to support Bonnaroo and all that it is and trying to be. I love to hear of artists/musicians not just talking about making changes, but actually out there leading by example.
I can't wait. The countdown has begun: FIVE DAYS until Bonnaroo!
Want to hear some of his stuff? Check out his videos on YouTube: Ben Sollee.
