2023-08-31 12:30:00
Alexander Lausch is a studio technician, live technician and musician and supporter of the MUSIC DECLARES EMERGENY Austria initiative. Privately he has sold his car, eats vegan and tries his equipment on trips to keep it as compact as possible. As part of this series, he explored the question of how to campaign for sustainability and climate protection within the music industry and suggested, among other things, that contingents be created in public transport for music productions. Together with his longtime musician colleague Marc Bruckner, he has been running the LISTENCAREFUL recording studio for many years.
What measures do you personally take to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable in your work as a musician? Where do you find it particularly difficult to change your behavior in relation to your work in the music industry?
Alexander Lausch: In my private life, I’ve been eating plants for years, i.e. without cruelty to animals, and I’ve sold my car. As a musician, I then tried to put my equipment together as compactly as possible in order to be able to travel to the concerts in public for the most part. That doesn’t always work out, but at least it enables me or us to travel in the various musical projects with little space and therefore fewer cars or smaller vehicles. I’m aware that globally, that doesn’t make the difference now. At the same time, I am convinced that you can act as a role model for future generations of musicians.
“Green events should be funded without exception”
How do you think the music industry can play a role in fighting the climate crisis? What steps do you think should be taken?
Alexander Lausch: I think it’s very much regarding symbolism. Green events should be funded without exception, so that you can no longer avoid dealing with them, especially as an organizer. Furthermore, I find that there are contingents in public transport, e.g. at ÖBB, who can claim music productions for themselves. All of this across Europe. Then you don’t have to put artists on a plane if you take them to Hamburg, for example Reeperbahn Festival sends. To do this, you would have to enter into a dialogue with the transport company. It is currently still a nightmare to travel publicly with equipment, because the train staff often does not understand that you have to “work” with it and that, for reasons of space, it can only be deposited where only bicycles and prams are actually allowed. It has to be easier to do that.
“At the moment it is still a nightmare to travel publicly with equipment”
Actions that disrupt our daily lives get a lot of media attention. Concerts are also effective in the media: What might concerts and festivals achieve? How do you see your role?
Alexander Lausch: The ideal case would be to play on big stages in order to be able to convince many people of the need to live in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way, both in the truest sense of the word and in terms of media reach. If you think of large events that are broadcast on television, for example: there you might present concerns to a relatively large audience and underline their urgency. Recently, I mentioned in a meeting that I would think it would be great if the Amadeus Awards simply to demonstratively lock the ring, as is the case, for example, with the last generation in order to have a music performance recorded there. I assume that this would be talked regarding for weeks.
“… I only see the future as secure if the industry works to ensure that climate protection is taken politically so seriously that it results in corresponding action in politics.”
Have you come across any sustainability initiatives in the music scene? If so, which ones and how did they influence you?
Alexander Lausch: That’s very clear Music Delcares Emergency because I only see the future as secure if people in the industry and, of course, also beyond, work to ensure that climate protection is taken politically so seriously that it results in corresponding political action.
What challenges do you see in implementing sustainable practices in the music scene? What resources, information or support would you like to have to make more sustainable decisions regarding your music career?
Alexander Lausch: I see the biggest challenge as being aware of your own personal impact on the environment. Unless each person comes to the point individually and for themselves of recognizing what their own actions (nutrition, private transport) “effects”, it will be very difficult for society to reach the point where one can make efforts to make changes that guarantee sustainability. What I mean specifically is that there is incoherence between thinking and acting if you want to ensure a future worth living and prevent or reverse the climate crisis, but say that the others should start changing themselves/something first. Even if you personally still find it difficult to reconsider behavioral patterns, you can and should at least take a close look and talk regarding undesirable developments and grievances.
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Links:
Listencareful Studio
Music Declares Emergency Austria
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