It’s not too hard to find concerts in Athens. But there is one that will be making sweet music for a controversial cause.
Bobcats Beyond Gas, an arm of the Sierra Club on campus, will be hosting a benefit show, where musicians like Near Hills, The Sandy Tar String Band and Corbin Marsh will spread awareness about fracking.
“Our goal is to focus our energy on campus and trying to make some institutional changes, trying to help change the administration’s point-of-view on clean energy and renewables,” said Caitlyn McDaniel, president of Bobcats Beyond Gas and a junior studying international studies: war, peace and conflict.
“I noticed that, with students, that a way to do that is to draw them in and then provide a fun atmosphere to tell them about what’s going on.”
As far as getting musicians, McDaniel said she didn’t have much trouble. Half of Near Hills, Ben Leeson, is her roommate. The other musicians didn’t need much persuasion either.
“Getting involved with the show was actually quite simple,” said Aaron Smith, bassist and vocalist for The Sandy Tar String Band. “One of the organizers…said something like, ‘Hey, do you guys wanna play a show at Casa on Feb. 27? It’s like an anti-fracking benefit sort of thing.’ We were like, ‘Sure thing!’”
McDaniel got in contact with Casa back in November, around Thanksgiving, for the show via email. After explaining their cause and what they stand for, she said reps for the venue agreed that it was definitely something they could get on board with in their location.
“Fracking and disposal of waste water in injection wells in Athens County, and anywhere really, is a matter of great concern to me,” Corbin Marsh said.
“Personally, I feel we need to fight for stronger regulation and oversight for oil and gas companies to protect our waterways and our agricultural land from contamination by the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing.”
Similarly, Marsh and Sandy Tar Band became interested once they heard about the show’s cause.
“We need to put an immediate stop to the disposal of frack water in Athens County wells,” Marsh said. “Appalachia has a long history of being exploited by energy companies only to be abandoned once the companies no longer have an economic interest. We should learn from our past and take ownership of our land and future.”
McDaniel said she feels these musicians will attract the local audience that they are searching for with this show.
“The reality of an anti-fracking benefit, in my opinion, is that not many people are going to show up who aren’t already opposed to fracking, and that sort of precludes any potential community outreach and education aspect of the event,” Smith said. “We hope that lots of people come and that audience members have a good time and an opportunity to hear lots of great music.”
If You Go:
What: Bobcats Beyond Gas
When: 10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St.
Admission: Free
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