In the same month that a Bob Dylan re-recording of ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ sold for £1.5m as a one-off release on the new Ionic Original format (that aims to “develop a musical space in the fine arts market”), a single made on bioplastic vinyl was created to show the music industry how it can still have physical formats that don’t help set fire to the world (see climate change issues in the Black Midi example above).
It was pulled together by Music Declares Emergency (MDE), the environmental pressure group – made up of artists, organisations and industry professionals – that is there to “declare a climate and ecological emergency and call for an immediate governmental response to protect all life on Earth”.
Ninja Tune and Secretly Music Group, both MDE supporters, each donated tracks by two of their artists (Bicep and Black Country, New Road on Ninja Tune; Angel Olsen and Porridge Radio on Secretly). The tracks were the first to be released on a 12-inch bioplastic record that is an alternative to standard vinyl. The format has been developed by Evolution Music “as part of their mission to decarbonise the production of physical product in the music business”.
A total of 20 EPs in this format were being offered through a draw on Crowdfunder. Fans could pay £5 per entry, buying bundles of tickets (up to 10 per purchase) to be in with a chance of winning one of the 20.
“We see this product as the first in a new wave of sustainable solutions that will help to address some of the most important issues of our time,” said Marc Carey of Evolution Music in a press statement. “Having support and advocacy from leaders in the music industry, particularly those at the forefront tackling environmental and social issues, proves there’s a serious demand to move things forward, to turn around the huge impacts of the music industry, and quickly.”
This release was seen as a testing out of the concept.
“We all love vinyl but the current manufacture process involves a significant amount of pollution, so we’ve been looking for alternatives,” said Peter Quicke of Ninja Tune.
“The work that Evolution Vinyl are doing to potentially put an end to fossil fuel based plastic LP production is mind blowing,” added Hannah Overton of Secretly Music Group. “We need more mavericks to create real disruption in the economy if we’re to achieve the slow down of global warming needed.”
Vinyl, especially for independent labels, is a key part of their business model, but finding greener alternatives is essential. This is an important step by two key indies and the hope is that others will follow their lead.
