A while back, METRO introduced “Valley Metro Notes” where they asked local bands to write and record their own songs about transit.
The NOTES campaign launched in November 2010 with six local bands that wrote 11 songs about how to use public transportation. Valley Metro is releasing the songs through the Fall of 2011. Participating local bands are: Black Carl, Captain Squeegee, Elvis Before Noon, Mill’s End, Peachcake, and What Laura Says.
So far, there have been 4 different music videos posted to their site where bands help people navigate our transportation system. The Valley Metro Notes program tells us that these songs will give us information about “ what pass to use, riding light rail, taking your bike, routes and schedules, riding safely, and much more.”
Elvis Before Noon kicked it off with How To Ride The Light Rail
What Laura Says tells us How To Ride The Bus
Mill’s End explains Just One Pass
Peachcake says we should Try 1 in 5
A publicist for Valley Metro sent us the following information about Mills End and said it was ok if we shared it with you:
“When we started Mill’s End in 2008, we had no idea how much of an impact METRO Light Rail would have on us; we were just a bunch of nine-to-fivers wanting to play some music.
The first incident was our first show playing by the Phoenix Convention Center during the Light Rail opening in Dec 2009. Then we were able to do an episode of the “Train Tracks” where we actually played on the train. So when we heard that Valley Metro was looking for local musicians to educate the public with song, we figured we might as well submit something and hopefully get an opportunity.
Shortly after submitting two songs, we got the call that we were selected and were whisked away to the Saltmine Recording Studios in Mesa to record our songs for real. If you haven’t been to the Saltmine, it’s definitely a recording playground featuring the latest gadgets, as well as vintage equipment to get the “retro” sound. Our first of the two songs (“Just One Pass” about how one transit pass works on bus or light rail) came out Jan. 4. The next one (about how to use fare vending machines) will be out later this Summer.
From start to finish the process has been amazing and tons of fun. We are all big believers in public transit (not sure why anyone wouldn’t be) and really wanted folks around town to check out our music and let us know what they thought.
So we just want to say thank you to Valley Metro for letting us participate, being associated with these other amazing local bands, and letting us play rock stars for our friends and family. Being associated with a great community service is pretty sweet!
Thanks,
Jeff, Geoff, Mark and Ken (Mill’s End)
Anyone looking to get more transit rock can head to CityScape on February 4th and participate in the Rideshare Fair where Peachcake and Mill’s End will perform live as part of the Rideshare Month campaign. ( more details coming soon )
Here’s to rockin’ the Rail Life…
Catchy! As someone who rides the light rail pretty much everywhere I go, I love these. I’m not sure how much it’ll do to convince people to start taking it, even though the “1 in 5” really is practical and effective, but it couldn’t hurt. And at the very least, these local bands get to have their songs featured by Valley Metro.