The Start Where We Are Earth Music Festival brought climate crisis awareness to Bow Market Last week. ~Photos by Roman Villarreal

By Eliot Josti

At Bow Market, set in the heart of Somerville, music and local connections came together with one common mission, bringing awareness to the environmental and climate crisis across the world.

Start Where We Are Earth Music Festival created an evening of conversation this past Wednesday. Cozy fire pits, food and drinks, and eco-friendly vendors encouraged residents to join the cause in building a bridge of environmental information to the community.

The festival, founded in 2023, was created by a group of Boston Berklee graduates, led by Sofia Villarreal.

“It started with the intention of healing the Earth through music. I asked myself, ‘What role do musicians play in the climate crisis?’” said Villarreal.

Villarreal shared that many environmental scientists have a hard time presenting their findings and information to the general public. They spend their entire lives finding climate solutions. However, they can only communicate them in scientific terms. It is the work of people like local musicians and artists that can reach the public with a new, understandable perspective.

The name of the festival was inspired by the idea of taking action right away, whether or not things may seem impossible.

“All we can really do is start where we are. In my work, it all became so overwhelming. I felt like we were so far behind. As much as I had thoughts of, ‘I don’t want to do this, and we are doomed,’ the idea is that we can start now. We can accept where we are and see what we can do to move forward. We can’t get obsessed with the wrong things.”

Upstairs at the Bow venue, six musicians volunteered time and energy to the Somerville community after a year of planning. Their kind sponsors make the festival possible and hope to host another event soon.

“Planting mental seeds little by little is just as important as planting literal seeds,” said Villarreal. “Us musicians can use our dreams, passion, and talent to play a central role. We can’t leave it all up to the scientists. We all have strengths, and by collaborating, we can make a difference.”

Villarreal credited a quote that her Berklee professor, Victor Wooten, shared with his class. His mother always told him, “What does the world need with another good musician? What the world needs is good people.”

Those who are interested in learning more about the festival can visit swwafestival.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @startwherewearefestival.