innovating in noise
Sustainable music innovation focuses on making the way we create, share, and experience music more environmentally friendly and socially responsible. From low-carbon tours and energy-efficient studios to greener streaming platforms (yes, even poorly designed streaming sites can be surprisingly power-hungry), the industry is finding new ways to cut waste. Think recycled merch or records pressed with bio-vinyl instead of traditional PVC. It’s also about fairness of course, like pushing for better pay from streaming platforms, and even amplifying nature’s voice.
Ever stream a friend’s music just to bump their earnings a little (yes, streaming platforms aren’t generous — that’s a whole other conversation)? Now you can do the same for Nature: listen to tracks that feature natural sounds and credit “NATURE” as an artist. A big slice of those royalties goes straight to conservation projects.
such a genius idea.
These recordings awaken us to the beauty of threatened ecosystems and teach us why protecting our natural soundscapes matters. It’s a global sound library, a creative platform, and a conservation-minded nonprofit all in one.
Protect what’s left. preserve these sounds, we don’t want to live in a world where these recordings are all we have left.
Eco-vinyl by Evolution Music
Deep Grooves Vinyl-Pressing Plant
It seems like we’re all going back to analog ways these days. And while reading a blog isn’t technically analog, I do want this space to carry a slower, more intentional process of consumption.
Scrolling through TikTok one day, I heard a girl say something that has kept me pondering: listening to music 24/7 can be just like doom-scrolling. She had a point, think about it—streaming platforms are built to feed us dopamine, constantly suggesting new songs, artists, and genres to keep us hooked. Spotify curates playlists for every mood—breakups, workouts, even oddly specific ones like my own as I write this today is, “silent disco boogie Tuesday morning.” With all that convenience over time, are we even capable of curating our own music selection for ourselves? Do we even listen all the way through an album anymore? Do we know every track on our favorite records? Vinyl doesn’t let you skip around so easily, it asks you to commit.
But let’s be honest: analog has its own pitfalls. Vinyl records are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic derived from fossil fuels that’s difficult to recycle and not biodegradable. Manufacturing vinyl also consumes significant energy. Some advocates suggest using 140g records instead of the heavier 180g versions, since lighter weight means lower emissions in production and shipping. There’s also a push for plant-based shrink-wrap. Luckily, eco-friendly pressing plants are emerging so collectors can keep spinning records with less “guilt,” I’ll drop some links below.
Still, there are trade-offs. Many long-time record collectors argue that recycled vinyl can affect sound quality, introducing surface noise or less clarity. While the casual listener might not notice, audiophiles searching for a “dead quiet” record are reluctant to switch. Alternatives like “bio-vinyl” (made partly with renewable materials) show promise without sacrificing as much sound, but since they often come at a premium price, the big question is: will collectors actually make the switch? Would a gen-z-er who is just looking to get away from streaming platforms notice the difference?