Conscious Choice: Fire and Rain

May 2008 | From the Editor

Fire and Rain

Years ago, I read a book in which a main character off-handedly noted she could always tell what was going on in her emotionally withdrawn husband’s head by the songs that he hummed. At the time, I was dating a man who on more than a few notable occasions had belted out, seemingly randomly, John Cougar Mellencamp’s oh-so-romantic tune, “I Need a Lover Who Won’t Drive Me Crazy.”

Turns out, his out of the blue serenades were more than prophetic. I actually did drive him crazy (which of course to this day still completely shocks me) and in those final relationship hours I found myself secretly humming “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” under my breath. The whole experience has rung on in my memories, and to this day I can’t help but pay special attention to the songs that randomly pop into my head.

Music has the magical ability to transport and transform us in ways that impress me on a daily basis. As I have gotten older, I have become more careful/conscious about the songs I bring into my world. I am a sucker for sappy, and if I am in one of those wicked little reflective spaces the “wrong” song can definitely wreak some emotional havoc. On the flip side, the number of times a song has given me a second wind or added sweet sparkle to my day are too vast to count (hello, “I’m Walkin’ on Sunshine”). For me, music really is the oft poignant, foot tapping and finger snappin’ way to add color to my day.

And so, dear CC readers, it is with lyrical exuberance that I bring you our first ever Music Issue. On the following pages you will find: Interviews with both Spearhead’s Michael Franti and up-and-comer Brett Dennen; Our very own how-to guide on what it takes to be a rock star — eco-style; A new trend in band touring that includes pedals, two wheels and leg power; And my personal favorite, the 2008 Green-er Music Festival Guide, which features eight of the summer’s sweetest and greenest festivals. We also inquired with a handful of cultural movers and shakers to share the songs that have had a lasting impact on their life. You may recognize some of your own favorites in their list. And this issue marks the introduction of our new “After Hours” page — a tribute to where we all know much of the business magic and collaboration happens: post work-day gatherings and events. Each month, we’ll collage snapshots of all the places we (you the readers and our family of magazines) have sipped, conversed and connected. This month, check out scenes from our Green Festival party.

Finally, I am excited to formally announce our recent partnership with the healthy living website LIME.com. Tune in to LIME for expanded versions of CC’s stories in the months to come, as well as video, quizzes, blogs, polls and special this month, a free playlist of songs we called Soundtrack for Change that features streaming and downloadable tracks from many of the artists we highlighted in the following pages.

Here’s to hearing the perfect song at the perfect time, and getting it stuck in your head.

— Ritzy

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