Screenshot from Half Waif's 'The Caretaker' Album Release Live Stream
Right now is a tough time for everyone. We're about three weeks into full quarantine in the U.S., death tolls are becoming quite significant, and unemployment is at a historic high. Musicians' worlds have been especially affected. Independent musicians depend on live shows, income from merchandise, and the communities they build to support their work and livelihoods.
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​With restaurants and bars closed across the world, shows have been cancelled for months into the future, with no definite date of return. Fans are stuck at home, unable to support their favorite musicians and local venues. There are no winners in this kind of situation.
But many performers are getting creative: hosting live shows online and releasing new music to get them -- and us -- through all this.
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​With restaurants and bars closed across the world, shows have been cancelled for months into the future, with no definite date of return. Fans are stuck at home, unable to support their favorite musicians and local venues. There are no winners in this kind of situation.
But many performers are getting creative: hosting live shows online and releasing new music to get them -- and us -- through all this.
Deep Sea Diver is one of my absolute favorite indie bands, and I had the pleasure of seeing them perform in Minneapolis with Radiation City at 7th St Entry back in March 2016 -- on the same day I found out I got into graduate school here in Colorado. I still have the poster from that show hanging in apartment.
Jess and the band sent an email last weekend to check in with their fans, and I was blown away by the genuine concern. She acknowledged how difficult this time is for many people. Second, their instincts have been to help in any way they can. So they've started a weekly Instagram Live Stream on Sunday nights, which you can find through the Instagram post below.
Jess and the band sent an email last weekend to check in with their fans, and I was blown away by the genuine concern. She acknowledged how difficult this time is for many people. Second, their instincts have been to help in any way they can. So they've started a weekly Instagram Live Stream on Sunday nights, which you can find through the Instagram post below.
Second, Deep Sea Diver did something I've never seen before -- they started a collaboration they are calling the "Stay Home Stems" series. Each week they are recording a different instrument or part and uploading it for anyone to download and make their own song out of it. They'll be choosing some of their favorite collaborations to feature on their Instagram Live Stream every Sunday night.
"We started this series because we believe wholeheartedly in the healing power of creativity and playing music with others. So far we have received dozens of submissions and are blown away by the talent of our fans. Keep it coming! If you're bored, JOIN US. If you're sad, this can be an outlet. Or a distraction. Or a way to process everything that is happening," the band said in their email.
Finally, they've recorded a new song, "Stop Pretending," -- which was written using the "Stay Home Stems" series! The song was written, recorded, mixed and mastered in two days at their house, and they hope it can bring a little bit of light in a dark season.
"We started this series because we believe wholeheartedly in the healing power of creativity and playing music with others. So far we have received dozens of submissions and are blown away by the talent of our fans. Keep it coming! If you're bored, JOIN US. If you're sad, this can be an outlet. Or a distraction. Or a way to process everything that is happening," the band said in their email.
Finally, they've recorded a new song, "Stop Pretending," -- which was written using the "Stay Home Stems" series! The song was written, recorded, mixed and mastered in two days at their house, and they hope it can bring a little bit of light in a dark season.
Next, another absolute favorite artist of mine: Half Waif. Nandi Rose was scheduled to have her sold out album release party for The Caretaker at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC in late March. Because that was cancelled, she shifted to have a live album release online in her apartment -- which you can still watch (below). It's very intimate and such a unique way to watch a great musician perform. I'd highly recommend checking it out.
She's also done an AMA on Reddit this past week and played live on Instagram (post below). ​She's also written a ton of articles about all of this change and the new album for Esquire, Talkhouse, and Nylon. The Caretaker has received rave reviews from Pitchfork, Under the Radar, The New Yorker, and the Grammys website.
Another indie artist who is hosting live Instagram Q&A is Liza Anne, who also released two new tracks recently.
More artists from my circles who have hosted live events online include Chris Koza and Kiltro, who you can check out below!
Global organization Sofar Sounds has launched "Keep Listening," an online listening room to continue supporting local artists around the world.
​Hopefully we will be able to see live music in person again in 2020! But until then: watch live shows online, participate in musical collaborations, support artists through purchasing their music, and stay safe at home.
​Hopefully we will be able to see live music in person again in 2020! But until then: watch live shows online, participate in musical collaborations, support artists through purchasing their music, and stay safe at home.
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