"I write about what I care for"
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You may be familiar with Australian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd through festivals all around the globe, like the Bonnaroo Music Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, The Great Escape, Bumbershoot, and Austin City Limits. If you're a Planet Green reader, you may also know him as the most recent recipient of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Rock the Boat Award. Here's why they chose him:
Rudd has been an ardent supporter of Sea Shepherd campaigns over the last several years. He has hung the Sea Shepherd Jolly Roger flag on stage during his concert tours and has encouraged his followers to support Sea Shepherd. On his current North American concert tour, Rudd invited Sea Shepherd to participate by having outreach tables at each venue location to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Additionally, Rudd's song "Better People" acknowledges the good work of Sea Shepherd and other groups; the music video for the song utilizes Sea Shepherd footage
Rudd is also a vegetarian. "When I realized how animals have to suffer in the meat industry, I decided never to eat meat again," he explains. "The industry's anonymity and the treatment of animals as worthless beings used only for production really annoyed me. That's why I turned vegetarian."
"Music is a powerful media and it is an essential tool for increasing awareness and raising support," says Captain Paul Watson. "We all have the power to change the world in so many different ways and musicians like Xavier Rudd are blessed with the ability to convey messages powerfully with great emotion."
WATCH VIDEO: Pirate For The Sea (Trailer)
Glenshire Elementary sings "Better People" by Xavier Rudd
My Conversation With Xavier Rudd
Planet Green: What's the junction between your music and your activism? Was there an "a-ha" moment when the two connected or has this been a more natural, covert progression?
Xavier Rudd: A natural progression, I write about what I care for and the two intertwine.
PG: Please tell us more about the Sea Shepherd award.
XR: Probably the greatest honor I've had in my career so far. Sea Shepherd and Paul Watson are one of the most important organizations of this century and in my eyes will be looked back on as one of the most legendary organizations. I am privileged to be connected with them.
PG: What can listeners expect from your new album? How do your live shows translate your recorded music?
XR: The album definitely reflects the show to a point, but the show has the energy exchange that is hard to translate onto a record - high hypes good vibes
PG: I'm sure you've done a fair amount of interviews. Is there anything you've never been asked that you wish you'd get a chance to talk about?
XR: (laughs) I think I have been asked everything
