MICHAEL T ROBERTS
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News/Blog

(I'm Your) Heat Pump

2/23/2024

 
So: this past fall I decided to write a song about a heat pump. A heat pump with a whole lotta love to give. Coincidentally, around that time I happened to be talking to science writer Susan Mashiyama, who wanted to write an article about heat pumps. She decided to make the article about the song. 

It’s a longer story than that, of course. Fortunately Susan is really good at telling it. 

So here it is. The story was published a couple days ago in Berkeleyside, a Berkeley news site that’s pretty popular with the locals. 
Picture
Read the Article
I don’t think I’ve talked about it much in these blog posts, but climate advocacy has been a big part of my life for the last several years, and promoting home electrification (i.e. replacing gas appliances with efficient, climate-friendly electric ones) has been a big part of that. As you’ll hear in the song, I had a lot of fun bringing that world and my musical world together. I got to channel my love of old school R&B, along with my 13-year-old sense of humor (still highly active). Susan mentions Marvin Gaye and Barry White as influences; true, though the biggest was probably D’Angelo (think Brown Sugar era, circa 1995). 
Listen to the song (with lyrics)
The ultimate goal: an awesome music video. Plans are in the works. Stay tuned. 

The article mentions the non-profit The Switch Is On; I’ve been one of their electrification ambassadors ever since we replaced all our gas appliances with electric ones a few years ago. They’re a great resource for learning about home electrification, especially if you’re in California. (Another great resource, this one nationwide, is Rewiring America.) 

Please enjoy some heat pump love!

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    Composer Michael T Roberts shares his thoughts on writing, playing, and teaching music. Comments? Please e-mail Mike. 

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  • Audio
  • About
    • Highlights from the Musical Life of Mike
    • Press Kit
  • Eco Soul
  • Works
    • Heat Pump
  • Commission
    • Previous Commissions
    • Commission Ideas and Process
  • News/Blog
    • Upcoming Events
  • More
    • Lessons
    • Duo Symphonious
    • Guitar Jukebox
    • Store
  • Contact