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Days of Rona: Shayne Reed of Almost Honest

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

Shayne Reed of Almost Honest

Days of Rona: Shayne Reed of Almost Honest (New Cumberland, Pennsylvania)

How have you been you dealing with this crisis as a band? As an individual? What effect has it had on your plans or creative processes?

As a band we have been taking the time to learn new skills. Some of us having been learning new scales, how to play banjo and overall just improve ourselves musically. For me personally I have been reading a lot which I hope will give me inspiration for lyrics. I have also been practicing my vocals and messing with different pedal combinations. Our plans have all been cancelled just like everyone else. We had a New England/Canada tour get cancelled along with our June tour. We were also supposed to start recording our new album in March. I will say that this has given us more time to work on the songs we were going to record. I think that once we are able to finally get back into the studio they will be the best they can be.

How do you feel about the public response to the outbreak where you are? From the government response to the people around you, what have you seen and heard from others?

At first I think in our area they were handling it very well. Even though we had to keep apart I felt like there was a unity and people knew what they had to do for the betterment of others. Now I feel like people are sick of being inside so in my area you have seen a lot of defiance and I fear that it will only get worse. At the time writing this we are still on full lockdown until June 4th. I’ve started seeing more and more people go out without a mask. Where I am that is required. It is going to be very interesting to see how people around here start reacting by June.

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?

They have responded with compassion and hard work. People have been collaborating on music, buying merch, doing live streams, offering free services, and so much more. I don’t know what the future holds for the music industry or live concerts but I at least know that I will be surrounded by great people. I personally am ok. I have been working from home and spending more time with my family. It has been very hard to get inspired during this time but I have been reading a lot of books and hiking which is helping.

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?

I am lucky enough to be in a band with people I can call my best friends. They are both hard working and I know that this time off is only going to improve the album we are going to record. I don’t think anyone in this band is used to there new normal but it does make us appreciate what we had and we are itching to get back on the road. We don’t want to rush it because we want to be responsible but as soon as it is safe to do so we are taking our van, hitting the pavement and playing our favorite cities. This has been a journey and though unfortunately I think it is far from over I have learned a lot. I am very lucky to be in the band I am in. I am also lucky to have the fans we have. People are still streaming our music through all of this and have continued to throw their support behind us. There is nothing more humbling than people supporting your music. We will all get through this together and once it is safe to do so we will see you on the road.

https://www.almosthonestofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AlmostHonestOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/almost_honest_pa/
https://almosthonestpa.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/65vNU7jxsZhy5B2W57cA6O
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuSry0azmLaXA8uyiwYQs7w

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