Flight of the Conchords release charity single, “Feel Inside (and Stuff Like That)”

Flight of the Conchords

By Laura Ferreiro

Flight of the Conchords – the clever New Zealand duo behind the HBO comedy series of the same name – have released their first song in three years, with all proceeds going to a children’s charity.

“Feel Inside (and Stuff Like That)” was inspired by hilarious interviews the Grammy-winning band – Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement – conducted with kids at primary schools in New Zealand. They asked the kids questions such as, “What sort of music is hip with the kids?” and “What rhymes with hospital?”

Not surprisingly, the kids came up with some adorable gems. One girl reminded the Conchords that sick kids can’t do hip-hop, and suggested they get money to help them by selling oil, gold and crystals.

The Conchords then teamed up with several fellow Kiwi musicians to turn the kids’ wacky comments and lyrics into the song and the video below.

The song premiered on New Zealand’s TV3 last week and quickly went viral.
Proceeds from sales of the single will go to the New Zealand charity Cure Kids, which works to find cures for life-threatening illnesses that children face.

The full song is available on iTunes, and all sales proceeds will go to the charity.

Vivian Girls and friends to play Pussy Riot benefit in LA

Vivian Girls

By Hilary Gridley

Vivian Girls have spent some time apart lately, working on a number of solo projects and side collaborations. When they heard about the conviction of Russian punk and performance group Pussy Riot, however, they knew it was time to join together to support the group’s right to peacefully protest against gender inequality and other important issues.

As a result, they’re putting on a Free Pussy Riot Benefit Show, which will take place August 27 at The Smell in Los Angeles. Vivian Girls will appear alongside punk bands Kremlin Head and Pangea as well as indie trio Haim, three sisters from LA who are quickly becoming stars in their own right after the release of their “Forever” EP earlier this year.

Vivian Girls’ garage punk music channels the strong feminist work of Pussy Riot, who became a global sensation this summer when the three members were arrested and charged with hooliganism following an anti-Putin demonstration. Proceeds from the Benefit Show will go toward the Pussy Riot Defense Fund, the legal defense fund for the detained members. Tickets are $10 and are currently on sale here.

Vivian Girls: “Take It As It Comes”

Haim: “Forever”

Dessa launches lipstick to help educate girls around the world

By Laura Ferreiro

Dessa – the gifted rapper, singer and spoken-word artist who is also a member of hip-hop collective Doomtree – has found an exciting way to support a product she believes in while raising money for a great cause. She is teaming up with Elixery cosmetic house to release a lipstick in her name, and she’ll donate her proceeds from the sale of the lipstick to the human rights organization CARE in support of its efforts to educate girls around the world.

“For me it’s an obvious opportunity to make a contribution that’s maybe more important than the one I make as a musician every day,” Dessa tells Music for Good. “At least it’s more urgent. I think that music that moves us is a vital part of a full life, but it’s certainly not as vital as literacy. And so the opportunity to try to make an ethical difference as well as an artistic difference is appealing to me.”

Dessa is using the proceeds from the sale of her namesake lipstick to support CARE’s Power Within campaign, which aims to help 10 million girls around the world complete primary school, teach them about leadership concepts and develop advocates who support girls’ rights.

“I’ve liked CARE for a long time and I was excited to find a way to make a larger contribution than my personal check at the end of the year,” says Dessa. “I actually studied about girls education as a philosophy student as an undergraduate and I was fascinated by the way that educating girls could have societal implications that reached much farther than their own lives. It would change the way their money was spent when they were older and also the age at which they have kids and also marry. So you end up finding this correlation between girls’ education and a self-directed life. You find some really interesting cultural patterns that change when you educate girls.”

When Elixery approached Dessa about collaborating, Dessa said she did some research about them and was happy to discover that the artisan cosmetic company embodies many of the values she has as a conscientious consumer. “When I checked out Elixery I saw that they were independent, entrepreneurial and had a very clear and upfront commitment to conscientious manufacturing,” says Dessa. “I also like the human side of their leadership. I like the fact that Karoline (Wells) who owns the Elixery is a dedicated science geek and takes the time to explain the chemistry of her product to her customers. And she pours every product by hand.”

Elixery founder Wells says that although working with Dessa didn’t appear to be a natural fit from the start, it quickly became apparent that they shared several values.
“Dessa doesn’t wear a lot of lipstick, so we initially found ourselves wondering what the heck we were doing,” says Wells. “Ultimately, though, I think we’re similar in a lot of ways — we both tend toward philosophy and authenticity. We’re one of the rare companies that actually verifies that our ingredients are ethically produced, and she’s one of those rare artists that puts her backing behind what she actually believes in.”

To officially launch the lipstick, Dessa will perform and host a cocktail hour in her home town of Minneapolis on September 15.

Pre-order the Elixery Dessa lipstick here, and a percentage of the proceeds will go to support CARE’s Power Within campaign to educate and empower girls around the world.

Juanes makes a joyful noise with the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles

Juanes with the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA)

By Laura Ferreiro

With countless Latin Grammys and chart-topping hits under his belt, a worldwide tour in full swing and three young kids to look after, it’s hard to imagine Juanes having time for much else. But the Colombian superstar is a tireless social and humanitarian advocate who founded Mi Sangre Foundation to help victims of anti-personnel mines, serves as a goodwill ambassador for United for Colombia, and co-founded “Paz sin Fronteras” (Peace Without Borders) — a non-profit that uses music to unite populaces regardless of political or geographic divides and advocate that all people are entitled to the basic human right of peace.

Now, with a tour stop at the Hollywood Bowl where he’ll headline two nights this weekend, Juanes invited the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) to perform with him on the renowned outdoor stage. The day before their August 17 performance they convened at YOLA’s rehearsal space at the EXPO Hall in Exposition Park to run through several of the tunes they’ll play this weekend as part of the “Americas and Americans” series.

“You guys sound great!” he told the orchestra after they played their first song together. The young musicians were obviously thrilled to be performing with the pop star and brimmed with enthusiasm.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen a famous person in person and I’m freaking out!” 14-year-old percussionist Crystal Batres said during rehearsal. “I came over here right after school and I couldn’t believe it when I saw him.”

The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s YOLA program was inspired by Venezuela’s groundbreaking music education program El Sistema – where renowned music director Gustavo Dudamel learned to conduct. The LA Phil and its community partners provide YOLA with free instruments, intensive musical training and academic support to students from underserved neighborhoods, helping them master their instruments and reach their full potential.

The kids from YOLA at EXPO range in age from 12 to 16 and expertly wielded their violins, cellos, horns, percussion and woodwind instruments like they were old pros. They ran through several numbers with Juanes, led by conductor Bruce Kiesling, and afterwards had the unique opportunity to ask the charismatic pop star a few questions. They jumped at the chance and asked when he started playing music, who his favorite musicians are, what he thinks about when writing songs and more.

He told the kids that he got hooked on music at a very young age and began playing guitar when he was just six years old. “I’m the youngest of six brothers, and they were all playing guitar and singing,” he said. “Then I picked up my first electric guitar when I was 14 and I still love rock music so I keep doing it.”

Juanes told the young musicians that Bob Marley stands out as one of his favorite musicians. “His message is so powerful,” he said, adding that guitar legends Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix are also major influences.

Finally, the inevitable question was popped. “Are you married?” a swooning young girl asked Juanes. He explained that he’s happily married with two young daughters and a son, and a collective sigh filled the room.

Beyonce teams up with UN to encourage good deeds on World Humanitarian Day

By Hilary Gridley

Most of us will never have the chance to join Beyoncé on stage. Fortunately, there’s an even better way to stand up with the pop star and turn one day into a global day of action for humanitarian efforts as part of her “I Was Here” campaign.

Beyoncé is joining the United Nations and humanitarian aid organizations around the world to bring a billion people a message of hope on World Humanitarian Day. You can add your voice here and your message will be stored until August 19, when they will all be released together with a special music video for Beyoncé’s song “I Was Here.”

In addition to sending a message, Beyoncé is asking volunteers to do one good deed for another person–whether it’s making a sandwich for a homeless person, standing up for someone being picked on, donating old clothing, or mowing a neighbor’s yard. It may be one small thing, but together with hundreds of thousands of other concerned individuals, these actions can add up into something massive and meaningful.

World Humanitarian Day commemorates the August 19, 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 people. The day recognizes those who face danger and adversity to help others.

Beyoncé’s “I Was Here” campaign works with a number of humanitarian organizations, including United Nations Population Fund, Action Aid, Care International, International Rescue Committee, and World Food Programme.

“We all see the headlines and think, ‘What can I really do to help?’” Beyoncé noted. “World Humanitarian Day is an opportunity for all of us to work together to make a difference.”

Jack’s Mannequin frontman Andrew McMahon goes to great lengths to wipe out blood cancer

By Allison Rivers

Andrew McMahon

In 2005, things were looking great for former Something Corporate frontman Andrew McMahon. He had recently formed a new band called Jack’s Mannequin and they had launched their first tour. The band’s first album, Everything In Transit, was set to be released later that summer.

But also in 2005, McMahon had lost his voice, had very low energy and had to cancel his first show, followed by the rest of the tour. After visiting his doctor, McMahon was diagnosed with a cancer known as Acute Lymphatic Leukemia at only 22 years old. He quickly began grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and in August — on the same day of his album release — he received a life-saving stem cell transplant from his sister Katie.

It’s not a struggle he’s kept to himself. McMahon kept his fans updated on his progress through his blog, and in 2009 he released Dear Jack, a documentary detailing his treatment, his mindset, and the most personal aspects of his life as a cancer patient using a camera that he had initially intended to use to capture the progress of recording his new album.

His experience with cancer not only influenced the subject matter he tackled on albums to come, but it also inspired him to found the Dear Jack Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to giving a voice to a frequently overlooked portion of the cancer patient demographic: 15-35 year olds.

The Dear Jack Foundation partners with organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, and the UCLA stem cell transplant program and focuses on finding desperately needed new treatments and improving quality of life through counseling.

This summer, the Dear Jack Foundation is partnering with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the seventh year to raise money for cancer research through the annual “Light the Night” walk. Team Jack’s Mannequin/Dear Jack has a goal of raising $50,000 this year, and is offering some pretty sweet incentives to participate in this excellent cause including personalized video “thank you notes” from McMahon, autographed posters, and even a one-of-a-kind Instagram photo he’s dedicating to a lucky winner.

So what are you waiting for? Join a team and raise some money for an excellent cause. Even if you can’t walk in an event, you can sign up to be a “virtual walker” or donate on McMahon’s fundraising page.

Together, McMahon and his fans are helping wipe out blood cancers. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

Foo Fighters, Neil Young & K’Naan to headline Global Festival to end world poverty

By Laura Ferreiro

In an effort to raise awareness and bring in money to combat global poverty, the Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Black Keys, K’Naan and Band of Horses will perform at a concert in New York’s Central Park on September 29.

The event is dubbed the Global Festival and is a free, ticketed event organized by the Global Poverty Project, which educates and activates people to be a part of the movement to end global poverty.

Tickets for the event will be given out lottery-style, but there’s a catch. In order to be entered into the lottery, people must take action for the charities and causes represented by the event. This can be as simple as signing petitions and sharing content on Global Citizen, and the more you get involved, the more chances you have to win.

“We wanted to make it different from other benefit concerts – we didn’t want it to be the same as, say, Live 8,” Hugh Evans, co-founder of the Global Poverty Project, told Rolling Stone. “We wanted to do something unique for our generation.”

The artists on the bill also expressed their support for the cause. “We are very proud to be lending a hand to such a creative, important event and are looking forward to adding to the noise in the big park and helping the effort toward reducing the global shame of deep poverty,” Foo Fighters said in a statement.

The timing of the event is no coincidence – it takes place while international leaders meet to discuss issues of global poverty at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Organizer Evans added that music and social change have gone hand in hand for centuries – from ending slave trade in the 1800s to ending apartheid in South Africa in the 1990s, so the Global Festival seemed like the perfect way to bring attention to this life-and-death issue.

“(Music) gives us an outlet to express that which we care about in the most meaningful and passionate of ways, which is the whole point of the Global Festival – it’s equitable, so anyone can get involved in uniting so many people and non-profits around one cause.”

To get involved and enter the ticket lottery, visit the Global Citizen Project here.

K’Naan uses Facebook campaign to help Olympic athletes from his war-torn homeland

By Hilary Gridley

For some Olympians, just showing up to the games can be a victory. Those who live in the world’s smallest, war-torn countries have encountered numerous obstacles just finding their way to the London games. In these cases, it helps to have a famous musician championing the athletes’ struggle.

Hip-hop artist K’Naan saw in the Olympics a chance to help his native Somalia. The runners on the Somali Olympic team have faced enormous obstacles in their quest for gold, a struggle representative of Somalians trying to feed their family in a country torn apart by decades of civil war.

The runners, Zamzam Mohamed Farah and her teammate Mohamed Hassan Mohamed, have braved death threats and overcome an almost complete lack of funding or training to give Somalia a place in London. Now K’Naan is teaming with the American Refugee Committee to make sure they get the support they need with a new Facebook campaign called I AM A STAR.

The I AM A STAR Facebook page serves as an online community for fans to cheer on the Somali Olympic team. For every “like,” post, and share the page receives, volunteers will add a “ring of hope” to a paper chain in Minnesota, home of North America’s largest Somali community. When the paper chain is 50,000 links long, the American Refugee Committee will receive a $50,000 check for aid relief in Somalia.

K’Naan is no stranger to global sport competitions–in 2010, his single “Wavin’ Flag” shot to fame after Coca-Cola named it their theme song for the FIFA World Cup™. The song’s message of hope and solidarity inspired athletes and activists around the world as it reached #1 in 18 countries.

“In Somalia, I saw people suffering insecurity …famine…. all these destructive elements,” notes K’Naan. “But right alongside that, what I saw was the will, the determination, the empathy, and the compassion of the Somali people. Let’s all be in solidarity with Somalia.”

Visit I AM A STAR to give $1 of relief for Somalia.

 

Lollapalooza: More than just music, the fest teams up with great causes

We all know this year’s Lollapalooza lineup is a good one, with Jack White, Black Keys, M83, Santigold and Florence and the Machine topping the bill. But did you know that Lolla supports tons of great causes and dedicates an entire section of the festival called Green Street to eco-friendly orgs, shopping and non-profits so festival-goers get the chance to see what they’re all about?

Whether or not you’ll be in Chicago this weekend soaking in the sounds and sun at Perry Farrell’s annual extravaganza, it’s worth taking a gander at some of the awesome orgs Lollapalooza is featuring this year. And if you’re lucky enough to be there, take some time to stroll down Green Street!

Lolla Cares
Lolla Cares features organizations committed to making this world a better, greener, and healthier place. Guess what? It’s working. In 2010, Lolla Cares organizations were responsible for registering 313 fans to vote, finding two bone marrow matches for cancer patients, and fostering support for clean energy, education, and park projects in the Chicago area. Stop by Lolla Cares in Green Street to learn how you can get involved both during Lollapalooza and in your daily lives.

HeadCount
Our friends at HeadCount will be registering voters at Lolla. The grassroots organization that uses the power of music to register voters and raise political consciousness. Since 2004 they’ve staged voter registration drives at more than 2,000 concerts and signed up over 175,000 voters. Pretty cool!

Love Hope Strength Foundation
This incredible cancer foundation uses music to raise awareness of cancer issues and builds and supports cancer centers around the world through ROCKS events supported by countless musicians including everyone from Jason Mraz to Flight of the Conchords. They also build international marrow databases through its Get on the List campaign.

ONE
Co-founded by U2’s Bono, ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support smart and effective policies and programs that are saving lives, helping to put kids in school and improving futures.

Rock the Vote
Rock the Vote is a non-partisan non-profit whose mission is to engage and build political power for young people in the U.S. Founded 20 years ago at the intersection of popular culture and politics, Rock the Vote is growing its team and its campaigns to support the tidal wave of young people who want to get involved in elections and seize the power of the youth vote to create political and social change.

The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, it has protected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide and operates more than 100 marine conservation projects globally. Pretty darn impressive!

Urban Habitat Chicago
This unique non-profit demonstrates the viability of sustainable concepts and practices in urban environments through research, education, and hands-on projects. At their Lolla booth, they’ll demonstrate easy, accessible solutions for living greener in an urban environment. Lolla fans will have the chance to get their hands dirty as they demonstrate indoor worm composting and easy ways to start plants from seed. Woot!

Working Bikes
Such a cool concept – Working Bikes gathers used bicycles throughout the Midwest and sends them to non-profit bike projects in S. Africa, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, Uganda, El Salvador, Panama and Haiti. Every year, Working Bikes gives away more than 6,000 used bicycles throughout the world.

Believe it or not, this is just the tip of the iceberg. There will be loads more non-profits including Now Art Take Part and Life Rolls on Foundation as well as sustainable brands like Avatar Imports, which works with a fair trade factory in Kathmandu, Nepal to manufacture products that are created in a safe, healthy environment, by people who are paid an above-average wage.

So take some time out of your busy schedule to check them out!

Visit Lollapalooza’s website for more info.

HeadCount launches voter “Participation Party” with concerts on the East Coast

By Hilary Gridley

Getting young adults excited about voting, like getting them excited about anything, is much easier when music’s involved. HeadCount, a nonpartisan grassroots organization that uses the power of music to register voters and raise political consciousness, knew this when they launched the HeadCount Participation Party in 2004.

The HeadCount Participation Party has registered more than 200,000 voters to date, but it takes more than a voter card to get people out of the house on election day. That’s why they took to the road three election seasons ago with a tour designed to get people excited about casting their vote. This year’s tour will make four stops along the East Coast leading up to the U.S. presidential election in November, and will be headlined by two artists who took very different paths to eventually call the same city – New Orleans – home: Anders Osborne and Dumpstaphunk.

Osborne is a Swedish guitarist and songwriter who traveled nearly every continent before settling down in New Orleans. His music blurs the line between blues and country, and he has just released a new album called “Black Eye Galaxy” about his life as “traveler, musician, an immigrant, a recovering addict, and as a husband and father.”

Dumpstaphunk, on the other hand, draw their inspiration from ‘70s inner-city funk. They have been called “the best funk band from New Orleans right now” by the New York Times and will undoubtedly have the entire crowd dancing for democracy by the end of the night.

The tour will also include surprise guests as it hits Baltimore (11/2), Philadelphia (11/3), Washington (11/4), and New York (11/5). Tickets are now available here.

To learn more about HeadCount, whose board members include Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and Marc Brownstein of Disco Biscuits, visit its website. You can also find out about volunteering at one of the 1,000 concerts they support every year, including The Shins and Wilco.

Read our interview with HeadCount’s executive director, Andy Bernstein, here.

Anders Osborne – “When Will I See You Again”

Dumpstaphunk – “Shake It Off”