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LOW-IMPACT BAND

Barenaked Ladies

With songs about pining for a million dollars to splurge on tree houses and K-cars, the Barenaked Ladies have endeared themselves to millions of Canadians as down-to-earth dudes. Literally. The Ladies take their impact on the earth very seriously when they tour, always seeking out ways to recycle, reduce and reuse.

THE MOMENT: “There are so many artists who really believe in being environmentally and socially responsible in their daily lives. Actually, many even work it into their lyrics. Then you go on tour and wonder how much of an impact you can really have. That’s what happened to us. All day, we’re driving in big buses, burning fuel all over the place, playing in these arenas with disposable everything and huge amounts of wattage being used just by the lights.”THE MISSION: “We partnered with a group called Reverb, started by a friend of ours, Adam Gardiner from the band Guster. They were essentially a bunch of socially and environmentally conscious artists working in an industry that had no conscience at all. Together, we look at ways to change how we do business: burning alternative fuels like bio-diesel on buses, using real cutlery backstage and LED lights that use 80 per cent less energy.”THE HABIT: “It’s sometimes hard touring in remote areas where it’s hard to get the right fuel or there’s no recycling facility. We’ve hauled these things around until we’ve found a depot. We also recruit fans through our Barenaked Ladies Planet Initiative. Fans come back and have a meet-and-greet with the band if they pledge to look after the recycling after the gig. It’s about getting our fan base involved and taking initiative in our business to make a difference. Traditionally there’s a lot of waste, but more and more artists are realizing how easy it is to change the way you do things.”

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Living Me To We | Day

“Every problem looks insurmountable

until you take action.”

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