Singer-Songwriter Jack Johnson Launches 
A Pro-Environment Concert Tour
By JOHN JURGENSEN
The Wall Street Journal
March 1, 2008; Page W2
Jack Johnson, who has a new No. 1 album, is trying to use his popularity to push for environmental change in the concert business. A lifelong surfer from Hawaii known for his laid-back rock songs, he has steadily added green elements to his tours, including biofueled buses. For his summer tour, which will be announced on Monday, Mr. Johnson's team is adding a "Village Green" where fans can connect with nonprofit groups. Venues and promoters have to meet terms of what he calls an "EnviroRider," an extensive checklist that requires them to install energy efficient lightbulbs, purchase carbon offsets and document the amount of waste they recycle after the show. Below, a chat with the music star.
WSJ: A typical concert rider deals with the drinks and snacks that venues have to supply backstage, while yours says more about the placement of recycling bins. Has this been an effective way to force the industry to change its ways?
Jack Johnson: I hope so. It's going be telling this time around because we upped the challenges. Some of the suggestions have become requirements.
WSJ: What made this seem like a necessary step?
Mr. Johnson: It was one of those things where we started out playing in clubs and driving ourselves in a minivan with no crew. Then one day I looked around and saw we had buses and trucks driving around the U.S. and a huge crew. I just realized we had a chance to improve the industry. There's a pretty large environmental footprint that comes with the touring world.
WSJ: Have you estimated the cost for the typical venue to implement these requirements, including putting water-efficient fixtures in the dressing rooms
Mr. Johnson: Probably somebody thought about that. For us, the whole idea with this tour was to raise money for nonprofits around the world. We're going to be giving quite a bit of money every night. We'll be matching funds up to $2,500 for each nonprofit involved. But we're also going to be donating 100% of what we bring in after expenses this year. What would normally go into my bank account will go into a charitable trust instead.
WSJ: How are you getting the fans to take responsibility?
Mr. Johnson: We're encouraging car-pooling and things like that and giving them info on how to offset emissions. The important thing is working with the groups that are right there in town. Our site, allatonce.org, is going to be a place for a person who doesn't visit the "Village Green" at the show.
WSJ: You participated in Live 8 last year. How do you feel about the effectiveness of those high-profile and, in a way, celebrity-driven events?
Mr. Johnson: I have mixed emotions with those things. They give you their word that they're doing everything as green as possible and I try to be optimistic about that. Half the battle is making people feel like it's cool to support things like this. But it depends on what angle you look at. People were flying in on private jets. And there's the oxymoron of a gigantic event meant to fight the impact of gigantic events. That's why it's nice to be doing our own thing and have control over it.
WSJ: You've sold millions of records and have a strong fan base. Do you think promoters would cooperate with the EnviroRider if you weren't Jack Johnson?
Mr. Johnson: I'm sure there would be some that wouldn't. But some of the venues have already made the changes we're asking for. Some is common sense, to other venues it's a big change. But to have the big show in their town, they're willing to make the compromise. We feel that if you do some of these changes then after we leave it's a bigger hassle to change the light bulbs back again.
WSJ: For all your attention to the touring details, it doesn't seem like you enjoy going on the road that much.
Mr. Johnson: I like it. It's just finding the balance. If I get out there for too long it goes past the tipping point where I just want to get home.
WSJ: How do you keep things fun when you're not on stage?
Mr. Johnson: We bring bikes. It sounds simple enough and it is. Even if it's just biking around the city, it's still nice to get out and not feel locked up between the bus and the venue. If you're not careful you end up in this little time machine that takes you from town to town.
WSJ: Many of your songs have a hushed atmosphere and tone. How do you keep the attention of a festive audience with these tunes?
Mr. Johnson: The songs tend to get a little more upbeat during the live shows. The key element of our shows is that it's a big sing-along. No matter how mellow the song is people tend to sing along. That's what makes a show work -- everybody is sharing an idea.
WSJ: Are you tired of hearing the word "mellow" applied to you and your music?
Mr. Johnson: I don't mind. I was talking to the guy who plays piano with me about this. We met when we were 18 years old. If someone would have told us then that we'd be doing this for a living, we wouldn't have believed it. It's so funny that it's gotten to this point. So whatever people want to call me is cool.
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