https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Days of Rona: Susie McMullan, Jamie McCathie & Jordan Perkins-Lewis of Brume

The ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the varied responses of publics and governments worldwide, and the disruption to lives and livelihoods has reached a scale that is unprecedented. Whatever the month or the month after or the future itself brings, more than one generation will bear the mark of having lived through this time, and art, artists, and those who provide the support system to help uphold them have all been affected.

In continuing the Days of Rona feature, it remains pivotal to give a varied human perspective on these events and these responses. It is important to remind ourselves that whether someone is devastated or untouched, sick or well, we are all thinking, feeling people with lives we want to live again, whatever renewed shape they might take from this point onward. We all have to embrace a new normal. What will that be and how will we get there?

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

brume-on-zoom

Days of Rona: Susie McMullan, Jamie McCathie & Jordan Perkins-Lewis of Brume (San Francisco, California)

How have you been you dealing with this crisis as a band? As an individual?

Susie McMullan: I love and respect Jamie and Jordan, they are family. I deal with it like I do my own family, I am there on the front line if they need me and try not to have any expectations of them at the same time. Jamie, Jordan and I are not interested in being famous or popular. We like to make music that is meaningful to us, something we’d listen too, something that connects with others that may feel the same way. As soon as it feels like a job or a burden, we back off or slow down. It is the luxury of being a musician as an adult with other talents and interests. For instance, Jordan was recently nominated for an Emmy for his video work, Jamie won a Grammy with his design work at a fancy design firm, and I love science and engineering just as much as making music.

When you don’t know how the music industry will change or how long it will be before we can interact safely or if you can pay your bills next month, then we are all living with this low level stress. Stress will manifest itself in ugly ways like flakiness, laziness, eating disorders, relationship problems and health issues. The kindest thing we can do for each other is drop our expectations of one another outside of mutual respect and help people feel less lonely.

Jordan Perkins-Lewis: All band activities have been cancelled indefinitely. I’m just chillin’.

Jamie McCathie: I’m lucky enough to have a job, an amazing wife and kid at home and time to relax or do house projects. We are bummed to not be touring our recent album but man, mostly we miss drinking warm beers at our practice space and hanging out together.

How do you feel about the public response to the outbreak where you are?

SM: I feel like people are doing the best they can with the information they have, especially my California neighbors. On a national level, it has been deplorable. Our president has lied to us, created unnecessary panic, unnecessary delays and a national sense of hopelessness.

JPL: Feeling good overall. Bay Area!

From the government response to the people around you, what have you seen and heard from others?

SM: Imagine if your government’s political agenda is more important than public health. That is what is happening in the US. The people of the united states are being lied too, mislead and left in a state of confusion because facts do not align with the administration’s political agenda. In short, Donald could care less if many people die unnecessary deaths as long as he gets re-elected. He could care less if half of the country is homeless and without healthcare as long as he gets re-elected. That is our government, he’s a disgrace to the honest good people of America and doesn’t represent our morals or national tone. He’s a delusional, egomaniacal unfortunate circumstance of the last four years.

JPL: I’ve been sheltering in place since March 13th. I haven’t seen much of anything other than delivery drivers and streaming tv.

What do you think of how the music community specifically has responded? How do you feel during this time? Are you inspired? Discouraged? Bored? Any and all of it?

SM: Pandemic to politics, music is bigger than anything happening right now and always will be because it gives you the feeling of hope. Hope that you are connected to others when you love the same song. Hope that propaganda has not brainwashed everyone when lyrics speak to your heart and not the local news, hope that we are not united under the false pretense of nationalism but united in an unexplained feeling swaying at a club to the same song. The community has responded like we always do, with more music.

On a personal note, I’m feeling very creative because that is how I process stress, depression, uneasy feelings I can’t explain. It’s interesting how we all respond differently. Some of the most creative and talented people I know can’t even look at an instrument and others text me daily with the excitement of a new idea or riff. As long as we listen to what our mind and bodies want, and tell social norms to go fuck themselves, then we’ll emotionally survive a pandemic.

JPL: We are the soundtrack of this crisis. I’ve enjoyed watching all the live streams. It’s a great time to get weird.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything? What is your new normal? What have you learned from this experience, about yourself, your band, or anything?

SM: Right now someone you know is suffering because they can’t pay their bills or because they are really lonely, try to think of who that is and help them.

JPL: Find your tribe and keep them alive. It’s a once-in-a-century plague event. Enjoy it.

JM: As a band, we most probably won’t be playing any shows in a long time… but as friends, we are lifers. We three are lucky and hope others have the same.

https://www.brumeband.com/
https://brumesf.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/brumeband/
http://brume.bigcartel.com/
http://store.merhq.com
http://magneticeyerecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MagneticEyeRecords

Tags: , , , , , ,

Leave a Reply