NATURE CONNECTION

Lolita: Okay, I can ask everyone how they connect with nature, but I think it would make more sense if I did it naked. Rita: Look, there’s Ray playing that old beat up guitar—and he’s in his bare feet—go ask him the question right now! Lolita: Ray… Ray… Ray, my eyes are up here. Can you tell me how you connect with nature? RAY MASON (Ray Mason Band/ Lonesome Brothers): Seeing as how I grew up in a housing project on tar and cement I recently stood outside our house in the lovely Western Mass. countryside, took off my socks and shoes, looked around at the trees and birds, took a long deep hit of fresh air and thought to myself “what a lucky bastard you are”! *** BILL GALATIS (School of Rock/ Sleeprunner): The Polar Caves and the Lost River up in Northern New Hampshire... it’s like Ewok Village from Star Wars in real life. *** MR. CURT (Urban Caravan/ Mr. Curt Ensemble): Feed the neighborhood feral cats. Feed the local bird population. Donna and I plant a bevy of flowers, shrubs, and some veggies and herbs. Water them frequently. Trim some of the hedges and bushes. Then rest on the back porch, sipping cocktails and inhaling a major dose of life—and life only! *** JOHNNY BLACK (Faster & Louder/ Johnny Black Trio): I fish from April through early December so I get to see lots of beautiful places from wading salt ponds on the Cape to kayaking lakes in Maine. My favorite is surf fishing for striped bass with flies I’ve tied so most weekends you’ll find me waist deep somewhere along the coast. I knew my fiancée, Karen, was the woman for me when she bought her own pair of waders about two months after we met. Now I just need to get her onto some big fish. *** SAMMY MIAMI (Houndstone): I inhaled. *** NICK MATHEWS (Red Summer Sun): Recently we had the privilege of playing the Hatch Shell at Radio 92.9’s annual Earthfest. The event was heavily focused on the importance of environmental sustainability and the little things that can be done to keep the world running smoothly. In addition to helping spread the word, we learned a lot about the small steps available to a band on the rise. Two things we always try to do—refill the same water bottle instead of just buying a 24 pack, and pack as carefully as possible to try to make each gig a one car trip. *** DAVE CRESPO (…& the After Party): I was down at an Environmental Camp in Rhode Island in April. Between the nature walks, ponding, and sleeping in cabins I have gotten enough nature for a while. *** SEAN MURRAY (Jake & the Jakes): I like to connect with nature by running around the house naked writing songs on the ol’ guitar. When people start coming home or stopping by for visits, I make a fast break to the beach—most likely Seabrook or Salisbury Beach. I love the solitude—the power and the unholy green glow from the power plant at Seabrook on any given day—winter, spring, summer and fall. It just doesn’t matter. I love the beach. *** STEPHIE PEEKA (… & The SeeKing 7): I sat in my friends front garden in Germany eating a Big Nuts Ice Cream bar while enjoying the sun and knocking a spider off her arm! *** JON MACEY (Fox Pass/ Urban Caravan): I have silenced the mind by climbing the highest dunes on Cape Cod and stared into the timeless sea. *** MATT JATKOLA (the Bynars): I went to the holodeck and loaded my favorite forest scene. In my solitude, I attempted to whistle (unsuccessfully) for a few hours, then I saved Wesley from drowning in a shallow brook. Lolita: We have a Trekkie among us. Rita: I think they prefer to be called Trekkers. Lolita: Matt, is the latest Star Trek movie any good? Matt: I think it’s excellent, but it’s so wide open now. I don’t even know what they’re gonna do next! It’s good for fans and also for people who haven’t even seen Star Trek before. I definitely recommend it!