Days of Rona: Christopher West of Trippy Wicked
The statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.
Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.
Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan
Days of Rona: Christopher West of Trippy Wicked (St. Albans, United Kingdom)
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How are you dealing with this crisis as a band? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?
Everyone’s health is good and we’re all following the advice to help reduce the spread of the virus. Jamming and recording is off for the foreseeable and some of our plans have changed a lot. We all live in different places and currently cannot meet up. Since December last year we’ve been recording various songs written over the last couple of years. Some of those are for an album and that is now on hold. Some of the songs are for other releases though including this upcoming single we just announced.
We have a few gigs booked for the year but I think everyone is just waiting to see what happens now. Understandably Desertfest London has been cancelled and that is a major blow for the bands and especially the organisers, considering how much work must go into getting that up and running.
I’m going to start looking back at the archives to see if there’s any more old stuff we can put out and I think this could be a good time to start recording/releasing some of our acoustic music properly. I just need to post Pete’s uke to him and we can record at home no problems.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
I’m in the UK and we’re currently in week two of a fairly strict lockdown [as of April 1]. You’re only supposed to leave the house for essentials — shopping as infrequently as possible, exercise, and work if you are a key worker. If you get symptoms then stay inside for seven days and anyone else in the house stays in for 14 days.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
There are a lot of people signed up to help deliver food for those that can’t get out and those sort of things and that is really good to see. Obviously the closure of pubs and the like is having a significant effect on businesses but some are able to operate by selling takeout beer and food still so that’s good for them.
Live music is gone of course and there’s been a huge shift to online and live streaming. I’m in a couple of Facebook groups where people are sharing music and art that they’ve made. I don’t think many will be able to make any money of note from this but it sure beats a lot of the politics that’s been weighing us all down online.
I think most underground and non-mainstream musicians are being hit hard right now. Sales are down because people have lost jobs, money, security. Streams are down because people are gaming, or on Netflix.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
Don’t worry about us. We’ll get back to working on the album when we can and there’s plenty to do outside of that. Look after yourself, your family and your friends, help them and your community if you can.
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