Patagonia continues to use business to inspire solutions to the environmental crisis.
Patagonia has teamed with some of today's top artists, representing a range of genres, to form the Patagonia Music Collective.
Exclusive tracks will be sold at $.99 each, with net proceeds going directly to the environmental organizations of the artists’ preference. Musicians on board thus far include Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, Bonnie Raitt and Jon Cleary, Maroon 5, Philip Glass, Zac Brown Band, moe., The Bad Plus, Blitzen Trapper, Mason Jennings, John Scofield, Piers Faccini, Switchfoot, Brett Dennen, Sun Kil Moon, Umphrey's McGee, Ben Solee, RaRa Riot, Spoek Mathambo, Taj Mahal, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Drive By Truckers, Bobby Long, String Cheese Incident, Ki: Theory, Moondoggies, Vusi Mahlesela, Disco Biscuits, O.A.R., Ziggy Marley, Los Lobos, Dawes, Abigail Washburn, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Brandi Carlile, Laura Jansen, Medeski Martin & Wood, Robert Randolph and the Family Band and many more.
The Patagonia Music Collective launched with 22 tracks bundled into two volumes of 11 tracks each. It will continue as a long-term project, with one new benefit track and three emerging tracks to be released each subsequent week. Exclusive benefit compilation albums will be available at varying intervals at Patagonia stores worldwide.
Tracks will be available at www.patagonia.com/music, through a dedicated iPhone app and a web widget at participating artists’ web sites. Fulfillment will be handled by iTunes. The program will roll out internationally in Japan, the UK, Canada, and elsewhere this June.
“My hope is that fans see their favorite artists supporting the environment and want to get involved themselves,” notes Patagonia founder and owner Yvon Chouinard, “The groups these musicians are supporting are the ones that are ultimately going to save the planet. Patagonia’s hopeful other musicians will see that by just donating a song they can easily provide their favorite enviro group with a new stream of financing.”
The initiative which launched yesterday is already generating press worldwide.
- The Zac Brown Band appeared on the David Letterman show to play their Patagonia Music Collective song live. Watch the performance.
- USA Today - "Every Patagonia Music initiative penny helps planet"
- ABC News - "Retailer Links With Musicians for Green Causes"
- Entertainment Weekly - "Jack Johnson, Bonnie Raitt and Maroon 5 debut new music for launch of Patagonia Music Collective"
- Rolling Stone - "Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, Blitzen Trapper and Bonnie Raitt Donate Songs to Help the Environment"
- Huffington Post - "The Patagonia Music Collective Launches, Plus A Conversation With John Popper"
- CBS News - "Retailer links with musicians for green causes"
- Billboard Magazine - "Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson Team with Patagonia to Raise Funds for Environment"
- Late Show with David Letterman - "Zac Brown Band and the Patagonia Music Collective"
All the press helped drive over 1,000 downloads in just two hours after launch.
“Any endeavor that combines great music with fund raising for quality environmental organizations gets my attention,” said Bonnie Raitt. “When Patagonia approached us to be involved we were excited to team up. I've been a supporter of Earth Justice for almost a decade, because, as their slogan states, ‘the Earth needs a good lawyer.’”