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If you read Jer Coons' bio on his website, you may ask yourself, "Who is this cocky young Vermonter?". Jest aside, one doesn't have to peel too many layers to find that this scintillating songwriter displays a genuine passion for the planet. In this Planet Green interview, Jer shares an intelligent and realistic view that almost defies his age.
Read further for Jer Coons' take on the Copenhagen climate talks, as well as how his experience talking to the next generation in a classroom redeemed his optimism about the planet's future. This passionate young Vermonter also goes on to explain his affinity for local agriculture, and his thoughts on touring with a lighter footprint.
Planet Green: Did you follow the climate talks in Copenhagen? If so, do you feel that any significant progress was made? Do you believe that humans are responsible for climate change?
Jer Coons: It's undeniable that certain aspects of our behavior as a species are starting to have a negative effect on the environment. There's no doubt that an issue of this magnitude requires legislative action.
Like most observers, I had really high hopes for the Copenhagen
Summit. I'm disappointed that the negotiations didn't resolve in a more decisive manner, though there were some redeeming outcomes. It's encouraging that progress is being made on rainforest preservation. The greatest issue is the scale of the negotiations; there are so many voices to be heard. You can't bully people around and expect to arrive at an amicable agreement. Though it's unfortunate there wasn't more progress made, at the very least I'm excited that a global dialogue has begun. Baby steps are better than apathy.
PG: Are you optimistic about the future of our planet? Name two things that need to change.
Jer Coons:I think that there needs to be more emphasis on buying locally and land preservation, especially farms. I'd been starting to become really disillusioned recently, fearing that the slope of the battle is greater than our capacity to scale. I was worried that not enough people had their priorities in the right places.
However, I recently spoke to a 4th grade class at the Charlotte Central School in VT, on the subject of my career as a musician, and what being a Vermonter means to me. It is part of a yearlong program aimed at elementary students, designed to instill a sense of pride in our local community, value of local businesses and the protection and appreciation of our state's natural resources. I entered the classroom concerned that I wouldn't be able to effectively communicate my ideas, and that the message would go over their heads, lost amidst daydreams of lunchboxes and recess. I fielded questions from the class of 9 and 10 year olds about how this humble state has affected my song-writing, the importance of eating local food and the great asset our land is on sustainable communities. I left the room, two hours later, completely floored by their level of comprehension and respect. These kids are at such an impressionable age - this is the time when ideas about what is truly valuable are formed - and the fact that they are cognizant of so many relevant issues instilled in me a huge sense of hope for the future. As long as these values are passed along to the next generation, I have complete confidence that we can make the significant changes needed.
PG:Can you explain your interest in agriculture? When did that start?
What sort of experience do you have with growing food?
Jer Coons:I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a state where agriculture and local farms play such a central role in day-to-day life. I can remember even from a young age, preferring milk from Vermont farmers over the big "chain-store" variety. It was a visceral thing, I had no real understanding of why it hit the spot, other than taste. It turns out there's an amazing sense of humanity when you can see where your food comes from, and attach a family name and face to what you eat. Not to mention the added benefit of exponentially less shipping costs, both financially and environmentally. Growing up, my family partook in a farm co-op, where we'd get local vegetables every week from a family farm in our town. The entire community seems to revolve around this ideal; I'm especially lucky because there's a weekly farmer's market directly across the street from my apartment in downtown Burlington, Vermont.
Once I can maintain a more domestic lifestyle (and have a yard), I will absolutely grow my own food. I'm looking forward to it.
PG: Does your passion for the environment have an effect on the content of your music? If so, in what way?
Jer Coons:Living in Vermont has definitely been a continued source of inspiration for my music, which is a direct byproduct of the natural beauty the state exhibits. I certainly have songs with an environmental lean, my tune "Tangled Tenfold" addresses land preservation and our effect on the world around us. I've always been careful not to be too preachy with my songs, I feel like in some instances it can have the opposite effect on listeners. Nobody wants to be scolded. But there's no question that my appreciation of the environment and the natural world has colored my writing in a big way.
PG: What measures do you take to lessen your footprint when touring and making records?
Jer Coons:I always feel guilty and somewhat hypocritical about the inherently wasteful aspects of touring. What it comes down to is music as a form of entertainment is best enjoyed in a concert setting, and the options are either to tour and make the most efficient routing possible with minimal infrastructure, or to not tour at all. When I'm home, I walk and bike as much as possible. Besides being a bit more responsible, it's great exercise. It helps me maintain my svelte physique. My goal is to have a bio-diesel (or electric, we'll see how the technology progresses!) bus and bring bikes on the road. I love to hit the streets and explore new areas from the ground level, it's an adventure.
PG: Relating to both the environment and your music, can you give us one easily attainable short term goal and one much more challenging goal of yours in a further future? Anything goes.
Jer Coons:I would like to continue to incorporate environmental consciousness in my music, both in my songs and through my touring endeavors. I'm really passionate about land preservation, and I'd love to be an advocate through the platform and voice that my music career provides.
I feel like these issues are a no-brainer, and it's a matter of spreading the word and awareness to as many people as possible. Honestly, I would look at my life's efforts as a waste if I wasn't able to help create some sort of a positive change for the greater good, however humble that region may be. It probably sounds naive or overly ambitious, but there's nothing worse than not trying.
Jerr Coons Tour Schedule
Jan. 29 - Ann Arbor Folk Festival , Ann Arbor, MI
$45 | All Ages | TBA
Feb. 17 - The 8x10 , Baltimore, MD
$10 | All Ages | 8:00 PM
Feb. 18 - Mercury Lounge, New York , NY
$10 | 21+ | 6:30
Feb. 19 - Higher Ground , Burlington , VT
Free | All Ages | 7:30 PM
Feb. 20 - Iron Horse, Northampton , MA
$10 | All Ages | 9:30 PM
Feb. 21 - Harpers Ferry , Allston , MA
$12 | 18+ | 8:00 PM
Feb. 24 - Tin Angel , Philadelphia , PA
$15 | All Ages | 8:00 PM
Feb. 25 - Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
$12 | All Ages | 7:00 PM
Feb. 26 - The Basement, Columbus , OH
$10 | All Ages | 7:00 PM
Feb. 27 - Double Door , Charlotte , NC
$10 | 18+ | 8:00 PM
Feb. 28 - Smith's Olde Bar, Atlanta , GA
$10 | 21+ | 7:00 PM
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