/>
Will Benoit
READ MORE ABOUT:
Our fabulous Instrumental feature highlights musicians and bands that are changing the world through their music. Environmentally conscious musicians are innovators of tunes, but are they new to the scene? Not really.
Green music makers may be a driving force for social consciousness, with charitable benefit concerts, money contributions and bio-diesel buses, but recording studios are still a major offender of energy conservation.
To offset the footprint of a music studio, be responsible stewards of environmental resources, and make great music; greening the studio is a monumental task. New England musician, Will Benoit plans to change that. He has always dreamed of building a recording studio. Benoit is the guitarist/vocalist for Boston-based band, Constants, and is the co-founder of Radar Recordings, an independent artist collective and record label. He recently announced his intention to create the first solar powered, eco-friendly recording facility in New England.
Benoit's music and his life is already green. His band runs their bus on waste vegetable oil. He and his wife are vegetarians with composting gardens, and solar panels on his home. Their intention to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible, Benoit wants to build a green studio and is hoping to share recording options with other musicians.
"I already own a 2,000 sq ft barn, its solar panels have already been installed, and now it's time to insulate, frame, build walls, soundproof, install flooring, install plumbing, heating, doors, and windows as well as purchase audio gear. My wife and I have spent the past six months updating our 250-year-old home with all new, low demand, energy efficient appliances - from the hot water heater and dual flush toilet down to energy rated light bulbs. Now it's time to bring that approach to the barn. I want to build it using recycled materials wherever possible - insulate with recycled denim and BioBased spray foam, purchase used furniture and equipment (which keeps it out of landfills), rely on renewable resources like cork and bamboo and use low demand, energy efficient heaters and electronics as much as possible."
WATCH VIDEO: Jack Johnson is blazing a trail with innovative features to keep the environmental impact low.
How Will Benoit plans to build his green dream studio:
As a musician with limited funds, he's fundraising. He has launched a page on Kickstarter.com, offering bands a day of free recording time for every one hundred dollars contributed, as well as lots of other goodies.
What can you do to help:
Benoit is looking for musicians who want to invest. Funds will can be applied to recording costs. He'll give a 50% discount to bands who want to record. For every $100 donated, it will earn one day of studio time. $500 = 5 days, $1,000 = 10 days, etc. This is cost effective for Benoit and a win-win for the contributing musicians.
Want to learn more?
Follow Benot's band, Constants. Check out his Kickstarter page and make a donation. Watch this video:
Will Benoit is Building a Solar Powered Recording Studio from Will Benoit on Vimeo.
More solar powered music:
First Solar Powered Recording Studio
100 Percent Solar Powered Music
Give The Gift of Solar Powered Music
