2023-09-28 10:29:47
The instrumental band TAKESHI’S CASHEW explores the boundaries of club culture, world music and 70s psychedelia and goes on tour with it. As part of this series, the band members describe their view of sustainability in the music business and see a direct connection between the size of productions, their responsibility and, last but not least, the available financial resources. Where did you find a solution for your setting?
What measures do you personally take to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable in your work as a music creator? Where do you find it particularly difficult to change your behavior when it comes to your work in the music industry?
Takeshi’s Cashew: As a band, we are faced with the challenge that environmentally friendly touring is of course directly linked to our earnings. This is a big problem in an industry where the salaries for newcomers are usually not enough to cover the monthly rent. For example, we would like to cover all routes by train, but that would cost us many times more than the cost of traveling in our tour bus. We are currently lucky that our guitarist Benni has a bus that he makes available to us. Otherwise our tours would hardly be possible with our current salary. I think that the government should take concrete measures to make environmentally friendly touring lower-threshold.
“As a band, we are faced with the challenge that environmentally friendly touring is of course directly linked to our earnings.”
As festival organizers, we also know that the greatest environmental damage at concerts comes from emissions when guests arrive. This means that concerts with a larger number of visitors have a much greater impact than our mini-productions. In our opinion, organizers and artists with a large reach (and high income) have a much greater responsibility. A bit like the discourse regarding the responsibility of individuals vs. large corporations. Of course, that doesn’t mean that we as newcomers can remain idle.
“As a band, we have had very good experiences producing high-quality and fairly produced merchandise.”
Takeshi’s Cashew: One area where it is more possible to be environmentally friendly as a band is in the production of merch. There are fairly manufactured organic products here that have a significantly better environmental balance than competing cheaper ones. The additional financial burden is then reflected in the sales price, but the majority of this is borne by the buyers. As a band, we have had very good experiences producing high-quality and fairly produced merchandise.
To what extent do you think the music industry can play a role in combating the climate crisis? What steps do you think should be taken?
Takeshi’s Cashew: Large productions such as festivals or concerts with thousands of visitors are responsible for many times more emissions than a tour of our size. Another important difference is that significantly more money is made in these huge productions. This means that established event agencies have greater scope for action to support environmentally friendly projects, not to sell plastic, to guarantee environmentally friendly travel (etc.) and thus to improve the climate footprint of the concerts. This might be achieved, for example, through legal requirements.
“Large productions such as festivals or concerts with thousands of visitors are responsible for many times more emissions than a tour of our size.”
Takeshi’s Cashew: In addition, with a large reach, the responsibility for what information you as a person disseminate to the public also increases. Working in the music industry often means taking on a high-profile role. Artists and organizers can use this reach to address important topics and reach many people.
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Links:
Takeshi’s Cashew
Takeshi’s Cashew (Instagram)
Takeshi’s Cashew (YouTube)
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