“Seth Bernard is one of nature’s most subtle creations, and a hurricane.”
Billy Strings
Scully Tour
Upcoming run of FREE shows in public spaces across the upper mitten
Upcoming Shows
‘The Most Bipartisan Issue Since Beer’: Opposition to Data Centers
Interview about Michigan’s data center resistance with the New York Times.
Latest Release Deep Live Vol 4
released May 1, 2026
Seth Bernard – vocals, guitar
Justin Avdek – bass, vocals
Patrick Booth – saxophone
Samantha Cooper – violin, vocals
Michael Dause – drums, vocals
Charlie Millard – keys, vocals
All songs copyright Samuel Seth Bernard, Eggtones Music, BMI
Except track 15, copyright Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Recorded by Dave Schall.
Mastered by Michael Dause at TreeTone.
Design by Will Thomas from a photo by Tyler Franz.
Special thanks to Joe, Leah, Elmer and Simon Short.
Eternal love to Buddy Paul.
In Episode 7 of our 2025 Caldera Sessions series, Seth performs “Who You Are” and shares the inspiration behind the lyrics. Shot at the Americana Song Academy at Caldera Arts by Cody Rheault.
We Can Change (Our Own Minds)
We Can Change (Our Own Minds) & Siren Song, is a special double-single release from Seth and May featuring Tyler Duncan and Trevor Hobbs. Produced by Tyler Duncan.
Seth Bernard – lead vocals and electric guitar
Tyler Duncan – wurlitzer, synths and background vocals
May Erlewine – piano, lap dulcimer and background vocals
Trevor Hobbs – drums and casio keyboard
Ross Huff – trumpet and flugelhorn
Recorded and Mixed by Tyler Duncan
Mastered by Devin Kerr
Episode 61 of State of Water featuring Noah Kaplan
Noah Kaplan of Leon Speakers and Mothfire Brewing Company recently joined us as one of our guests for a special live State of Water podcast recording at Leon Loft in Ann Arbor.
Noah shares about his lifelong love for water and nature, from his early days growing up in New York by the ocean and seeing the impacts of pollution to now living in Michigan and appreciating the essential need for clean water in a different way as a brewer. We hear about Noah’s unexpected journey into entrepreneurship and how arts, culture, and creativity are at the heart of both Leon Speakers and Mothfire Brewing. Noah reflects on his deep belief in the power of collaboration to support learning and growth, and gives a glimpse at what’s coming in the near future for Leon Speakers and Mothfire as they continue to bring people together and awaken creativity.
“I think that it is kind of the sleeping giant that is going to become the central issue of the Michigan races in 2026 across the political spectrum,” said Seth Bernard, an organizer who led the effort to halt a data center near his home in Kalkaska County.
Bernard, who leads the environmental nonprofit Title Track, said the debate around AI is part of a broader working-class fight against corporations forcing their will on local communities.
Each year, with generous support from the Colina Foundation, MiCAN recognizes the Michiganders doing exceptional work to address the climate crisis in our state with the Climate Champion Awards. The awards, based on community nominations, honor the dedicated professionals, activists, and young people doing the hard work of moving Michigan toward a just and sustainable future.
Data Center Files
Climate & Clean Energy Summit
Closing comments
Widening our circles of compassion. Love people relentlessly.
Don't Lose Track
Live from The Earthwork Barn
Filmed on a chilly November night underneath the full moon. Special thanks to Loren Johnson for making this amazing night a reality!
Michigan folk-pop artist Seth Bernard blends music with activism, but doesn't forsake fun
Lake City singer-songwriter Seth Bernard is very in tune. But beyond his music, Bernard is very much in tune with humanity, in tune with nature, in tune with social justice. He’s also in tune with having fun.
It’s Time to Kick Gas, by Bill McKibben
Seth Bernard is one of my all-time favorite songwriters. Also a ripping guitarist, he’s helped build a community of musician-activists across his native Michigan, who work on issues environmental and social. Now he’s offered up “The Time Has Come,” a climate anthem that he’s releasing to aid local climate campaigners.
We are proud to announce that we have joined Keep the U.P. Wild: a coalition of environmental, outdoor recreation, academic, political, and business organizations working to advance new Wilderness areas in the Upper Peninsula.
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A Circulation of Solutions
My work focuses on proactive solutions for social-ecological systems by empowering creativity into a future we design collectively. We’re writing a new story together, and it requires all of our participation.
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with music and activism
My creative process keeps me going and serves as the baseline for the social change work that I do. Becoming a patron is a great way to stay connected and help everything I do become stronger and more resilient.
Since 2001
Music
A cure for pain
Hope for the future
These Dogtown Studio Session were special to me working with friends I’ve played with since my early teens.
Featured album
Let Love Light the way
Intentional and powerful
State of Water Podcast
A podcast focusing on clean water issues and their relationship to policy, equity, community and climate. State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan.
“Seth Bernard contains multitudes. Before most of us fall out of bed, he has practiced guitar, corresponded with fellow activists, hatched five plans for the betterment of Michigan and America, and played with his daughter. He is also a vocal advocate and organizer for the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan, as well as the new NPO Title Track, whose mission is engaging creative practice to build resilient social-ecological systems that support clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment. He founded the Earthwork Harvest Gathering, now in its 19th year, on the family farm. The Earthwork Music Collective was launched in 2001 with the release of Seth’s first album, Hello Fellow Travelers. Seth’s restless creative muse has led into numerous side projects, including Airborne or Aquatic?, Public Access, the Starlight Six, and Harvest Queen. Musically, Neil Young is meeting Woody Guthrie at the crossroads in downtown Detroit these days. Come and listen.”
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