Northern Californian, country-folk troubadour Rita Hosking has just released a set of short, fun “public service songs.” The collection is called Climate Country Radio, and the theme is climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The six, twangy songs range in topic from bad air days to home insulation, and are designed to bring empowerment, hope and cheer in the face of an unsettling future.
Hosking, known for her award-winning songwriting and performances, was awarded a grant for this project by the California Arts Council, a state agency, through the Upstate California Creative Corps program. Grantees were selected to be part of a media, outreach and engagement campaign to increase awareness of issues such as public health, energy conservation, climate mitigation, and emergency preparedness.
Musicians on the project include Hosking on guitar and voice, Sean Feder on dobro, banjo, guitar and voice, Mei Lin Heirendt on fiddle and voice, Joe Ybarra on pedal steel guitar, Brett Cole on bass, and David Clouse on drums. It was recorded in Grass Valley, CA by Tom Menig, and mixed and mastered by Oz Fritz in Nevada City, CA.
Climate Country Radio is now available for free streaming and free download to everyone via Hosking’s website, www.ritahosking.com, and her Bandcamp page, at www.ritahosking.bandcamp.com . Youtube videos will follow throughout the spring and summer. Keep your ears peeled to hear it on the radio!
In the face of climate change, fires, extreme weather and public health crises, the need for Californians to pull together as a community is great, especially in our most vulnerable regions. Hosking envisions Climate Country Radio as a possible tool to help create resilient communities with the joy and relief of music.