Days of Rona: Marc Zolla of Pink Cocoon
Posted in Features on April 13th, 2020 by JJ KoczanThe 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: Marc Zolla of Pink Cocoon (Montreal, Quebec)
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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?
Pink Cocoon had to cancel the “Ridin’ Out West” Canada tour in April. Last remaining date (hopefully does not get cancelled) is May 8th at Casa Del Popolo in Montreal. The tour will be re-booked at a later date possible during the summer or fall 2020. A situation as such is unexpected for everyone and many bands/musicians have cancelled their upcoming tours.
We’re all healthy and doing good. My buddy Patrick Murphy (drummer live gigs) is working from home and my buddy Noah Amick (bassist live shows) in New York City is doing good.
I recently filmed a music video in NYC that will be released soon. If I waited another month to go down into USA, it would not have happened with current border restriction due to COVID-19. I’d say it was pretty lucky how this all turned out.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
The police can give you a fine of 1000$ CDN or more if you’re found roaming the streets or gathering with two or more people in public. It is recommended to work from home. You should only be leaving house to go to grocery store, hospital, pharmaprix or for essential work/services.
I cannot visit my grandparents since the youth can carry the virus and put the elderly people at risk. Everyone has to practice social distancing (minimum two metres away from other people).
Government of Canada has announced an emergency benefit of 1800$/month for those who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 and haven’t already applied for Unemployment Insurance.
Honestly, everything feels very surreal.
“It’s like the Black Plague with wifi” (some post I saw on Facebook).
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
A lot of people in public whether at grocery stores or drive thrus seem stressed out and on the edge. There is security at every grocery store and pharmaprix with a zone to wash your hands/sanitize before going into the facility. Shopping centres are closed down. All bars, venues, theatres are closed down temporarily. Many people are saying this will continue until May 2020, although I have a feeling it might stretch out till June. Our premier of Quebec Francois Legault announced Montreal as local state of emergency. The province is reporting 2,021 confirmed cases, with 141 people in hospital, including 50 people in intensive care [as of March 30]. The numbers are escalating every day.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
Pink Cocoon will keep on going. The Canada tour is cancelled, although I started a quarantine cover video series on Facebook, Youtube, IG TV to entertain everyone stuck at home. It’s the minimum I can do since I can’t play a live show in person for the fans. New music is planned to be released soon.
I want everyone to take precaution when leaving your house during this time. It is serious and should not be treated as joke. Even if you’re not sick, you can put someone else at risk. There is a lot of videos online of the situation in various countries in public spaces, hospitals, etc… I won’t post them here but it’s getting real and dangerous.
To all of the musician/artist friends out there, solitude is the best place for an artist to create. You can use this to advantage to create.
Thx
-MarcZ.
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