Introducing Neel Singh!

by Neel Singh, SF Surfrider

Greetings followers of the MOP Blog!

My name is Neel Singh. I’ve just accepted the position as the new coordinator of the Music Outreach Program (MOP) for San Francisco’s chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Nicole Parisi-Smith has done such an amazing job bringing the MOP from the DC Chapter to SF and has left me with physically small but substantially large shoes to fill! I’m looking forward to continuing the great outreach work she’s done with our MOP crew and the musical artists and venues that share in the Foundation’s values of protecting our oceans, beaches, coastlines, and the people and wildlife who share those environments.

Being from the Fiji Islands and a Surfrider member you’d think that I’d be an avid surfer. I must confess like Matt (DC MOP Coordinator) that I’m not, but I still feel at home being next to the ocean. There is no greater feeling of peace and serenity for me than sitting on the beach, listening to music and the waves with my dog, Miles. I am a huge music enthusiast of various genres, a hobbyist musician, and proponent of environmental protection. Joining SF Surfrider’s MOP has given me the opportunity to bring together the most important and fulfilling aspects of my life. It is my goal as our chapter’s new MOP Coordinator to work together with various artisits, venues, and our volunteers to reach out to people like you – fans of oceans, beaches, wildlife, and of course music.

Some of the shows we’ve had the blessing of being a part of include Jack Johnson, Katchafire, SOJA, My Peoples (formerly Kapakahi), Bayonics, Oceanroyal, and many more…

If you’d like more information or would like to become a member of the Surfrider Foundation and the Music Outreach Program please feel free to email me at neel[@]sfsurfrider.org, or visit the chapter website at www.sfsurfrider.org. Keep following our blog and twitter for upcoming concerts, beach cleanups, and other events. Hope to see you at the next show!

Introducing Matt Gove!

by Matt Gove, DC Surfrider

Hello MOP blog readers! My name is Matt Gove and I am currently running the Music Outreach Program for the DC chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. If you have been following our blog you may have noticed that I have been in this position for about a year. Last year we made it to 15 events, so thank you to all my MOP Volunteers who came out to help! I couldn’t run the program without you.

I’m going to come clean readers: I am not a surfer! I have attempted to surf 3 times, with water-logged and sand-scraped results. I am an ocean enthusiast however, snorkeling, diving, and fishing whenever I get the chance. I also work in the blue world, working with coastal managers for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). I am very excited to be volunteering for an organization that I have been watching peripherally for years—Surfrider is definitely well known in the ocean and coastal professional world!

For those of you not familiar with Surfrider’s Music Outreach Program: basically we spread the Surfrider message at concerts. Specifically, we partner with venues and artists to talk to concert-goers about Surfrider’s national and local initiatives, hoping to spark action or awareness in the general public. It’s extremely rewarding to have discussions with people about our oceans and coasts—and their favorite bands!

If you are in the DC area and want to volunteer, please send an email to govematt[@]hotmail.com and I will get you on the email list. Last year we were at shows for State Radio, Mason Jennings, Rogue Wave, Ben Harper, and the Dave Matthews Band. You don’t need any skills or knowledge to volunteer, just a love for our oceans and a willingness to help out. Thanks for reading!

Donavon Frankenreiter - 9:30 Club - 11/25/2008

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Wow - this was an incredible night! Donavon allowed the members of DC Surfrider to come to the 9:30 Club early for sound check, and hung out with us before the doors opened to the public.


photo: me & Donavon

Then we had a great spot for the Surfrider table in the back of the venue, and were able to talk with a lot of Donavon's fans, who are psyched about the work that we are doing!


photo: Our DC Surfrider table

Many thanks to Donavon and his touring team!

Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys) - Warner Theater - 11/18/2008

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys came through Washington, DC and was kind enough to let Surfrider DC set an outreach table up at his show at the Warner Theater. He was promoting his new album, That Lucky Old Sun.

Surfrider CEO Jim Moriarty interviewed Brian back in September. Awesome stuff! Check it out here.

Neil Halstead - Talking Head Club - 3/25/2009

by Chris Woods, DC Surfrider

Earlier in the month, on March 8, Surfrider's San Francisco Chapter set up an outreach table at Neil's show at the Great American Music Hall. He came through the Washington, DC area on March 25, and played at the Talking Head Club in Baltimore, MD. It was great to see him there.

Nicole and I really appreciated that he was personally in touch with us prior to the show, and took the time to talk with us at the shows. He's a great guy, and a fantastic musician. I'm really enjoying his new CD, Oh! Mighty Engine.

Just happened upon this interview with Neil:

Neil Halstead: My Green Buddy.

Here he is, playing with Jack Johnson and band, plus Zach Rogue, summer 2008: