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A Sonic Fabric tie, "intended to impart the wearer with special, subtle powers of perception and attunement."
Credit: Photo by Julian Mock
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It's that time of the year again, when people buy other people stuff. Often stuff they don't need, or even want. For the music lovers on your list, consider a gift that will be enjoyed, and makes a statement that you care ... about your loved one's interests and the good ol' Earth. Won't they be pleasantly surprised?
These recommendations come from Planet Green writers, musicians and promoters alike:
1. Tie one on, without the hangover
A company named Sonic Fabric makes neckties from old audio cassette tapes. Remember cassettes? The ones you had to rewind or flip over, unless you had Auto Reverse.
If you have to wear a tie, you might as well wear one made from recycled products, and one that can actually be played. These ties are woven from recorded tape and polyester thread. If you have the right equipment (like a tape head hacked from an old Walkman), the tie emits a "collage of sound." They were designed by conceptual artist Alyce Santoro, who lives in Texas and says the sound emitted is like "scratching five records backwards simultaneously." The ties were recently featured on the "Today" show. $90-110 via SonicFabric.com.
2. Put the wrist on the record
Or the other way around. Artist Meg Musick-Makely's cuff bracelet is made from vintage album labels (remember those?). One made with Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" sells for $26 via Eco-Artware.com.
3. A little bit of solar sound
My wife bought me an Eton solar radio last year, and it's a good device to have around the house. If the lights go out, it doubles as an LED flashlight. You can crank it for power, or use the small solar panels on top. Great for when you're outside and you want a little background music. $40 via Amazon.com.
4. Put Jack under the tree
The En Concert Collector's Edition Set includes a CD, DVD, vinyl album, poster, t-shirt, and access to download 19 digital tracks. The proceeds go to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation and the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation. $75 via JackJohnsonMusic.com.
5. Strap one on
Get your mind out of the gutter. Ecolution makes a vegan, leather-free guitar strap out of hemp. This one may be hard to find. $21 via BeanProducts.com.
6. Get some feedback
That's feedback as in Reverb, a Maine nonprofit that helps artists and venues green their tours.
Elliott May, with the organization, says donations to good causes (hint, like his) always make good gifts. With contributions to Reverb, "you are directly helping fans, venues, artists and others in the music community move toward a sustainable future."
May also suggests Music for Relief, an organization started by Linkin Park in the wake of the 2004 tsunami that helps people affected by natural disasters.
7. Get some more feedback
May also suggests a pretty nifty iPod dock that includes a guitar input and "is way louder than you'd expect."
As the name suggests, you can plug in your guitar and play along with your favorite tunes, or play by yourself. Where's the green? First Act gives back to the community through philanthropic associations, educational partnerships and charitable grants. They also support music education advocacy organizations, that fight to keep music programs in school when the budget axe comes down. $80 via FirstAct.com.
8. Get your solar groove on
A CD from Planetwize features 14 tracks of reggae, Latin, electronica and Afrobeat music. And it helps support SolarAid, which helps poor communities use solar power to fight climate change and poverty. $13 for the disc, available Nov. 28 via Planetwize.com.
9. Drink coffee
If you spend $15 at a participating Starbucks, you'll take home a CD called "All You Need Is Love." The disc includes exclusive tracks from U2, Dave Matthews Band, John Legend and Playing for Change. For every CD that's given away, Starbucks will give a buck to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Does something you get for free qualify as a gift?
10. Look to the Stars
This tip is via a site called LooktotheStars.org, which tracks charity work by celebrities. A products page includes music ideas like "The Tuttles' Madcap Misadventures," a video game that supports the Starlight Children's Foundation and features the voices of celebs including William Shatner.
Shatner? Yes, he's recorded albums and songs, including "Has Been," in 2004, which featured a cover of the Pulp hit "Common People." $10 via LegacyGames.com.
11. This list goes to 11
This item features a belt buckle made from recycled license plates that looks like a piano keyboard. To wear while you play a Spinal Tap ballad? $30 via Guffly.com.
New Holiday Traditions
More from Planet Green:
TreeHugger Gift Guide (video)
Artistic Elephants? (video)
Give Air-Purifying House Plants, a Great Last Minute Gift
