sing forward!

For too long people who pursue creative ventures have been without health insurance, and in Wisconsin we’re working to change that. Today marks the launch of Sing Forward!, a campaign to get musicians, artists, and the service industry workers who support us insured. Wisconsin musicians and industry workers recently got together to record a song to get the word out – watch below and get ready to be singing the chorus for days.

Like the song? Remix it, cover it, or post a sing-along video by February 14th for a chance to win concert tickets, cash, and more. Visit the Sing Forward! website to get the materials you need.

Also be sure to take a few minutes to listen to Tom’s story – no one should ever have to die like this again.

Find out more at singforwardwi.com, get covered at healthcare.gov, and spread the word wherever you can!

project lodge forever

Last Saturday the Majestic in Madison, WI played host to the Project Lodge Benefit Show featuring Julian Lynch, All Tiny Creatures, Icarus Himself, Whitney Mann, and Anna Vogelzang. For those unacquainted with The Project Lodge:

Project Lodge is a home for creators and explorers. Our small storefront on the near East side of Madison serves as an art gallery, performance space, and de facto community center for artists, musicians, filmmakers, authors, and anyone else interested in collaborating towards a thriving creative culture in Madison. We are all ages, 100% volunteer-powered, and completely donation-driven.

The five-band bill moved along swiftly – a decent set from everyone and not a whole lot of downtime (truly living the dream). Anna Vogelzang kicked off the night, her lovely voice and banjo bolstered by upright bass and cello. Next up was Whitney Mann, joined by Allen and Amanda Rigell of Count This Penny. Mann’s voice could easily knock over a linebacker, but she’s got a great sense of when to reign it in and when to belt away.

Transitioning from the country slant of the first two acts was Icarus Himself. Super-solid as usual, I can’t say enough good things about them. All Tiny Creatures put together a great set – interesting drumming, and an overall sound somewhere between indie and jam but sounding like neither genre. ATC was a nice segue to Julian Lynch, who similarly tiptoes around the outside of the indie-rock box.

In all, it was nice to see a solid block of hometown talent, the cornerstone to the success of The Project Lodge. If you want to support The Project Lodge but were unable to make the benefit (or you came to the show and want to give more), check out the ProLo’s Kickstarter campaign.

For more photos from the evening, click here.