Days of Rona: Nighthawk of Heavy Temple
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. — JJ Koczan
Days of Rona: High Priestess Nighthawk of Heavy Temple (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
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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 is in good health. Two of us still have to go to work, which is both a curse and a blessing. Most of our spring shows and tours have been postponed so we’re just kind of in a holding pattern. We planned to release the new album in spring or summer, but it’s looking like that might not happen as well. We haven’t had practice in about a month but have been trying to work on writing and recording remotely. Two of us live together and we have a recording studio in the basement, so there are some options. I think it’s really just starting to set in that we had a lot of big plans for this year, as did a lot of other bands, and while we can still make music it’s just not the same. Nothing is right now.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
We’re in Philly and currently it’s just stay at home and don’t go out unless you need to, isolate yourself if you’re sick, etc. Most people seem to be abiding by those rules. The lack of overall leadership and direction, however, seems to only be prolonging the societal effects of this thing, which is frustrating.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
While I know it’s hard for bands who can’t play, and especially those whose main source of income is playing shows, I’ve seen a lot of bands get creative as far as maintaining their relationships with one another and their fans. Live streams, play-throughs, merch specials, releasing new music even. Personally, I’ve seen a lot of people posting pictures of the great food they’re making at home, and the Instagram challenges have been fun. Wine chugging, write a riff, see a cat share a cat. It’s inspiring to see people trying to keep each other’s spirits up.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
While we’re really bummed that we can’t be out there doing what we love, we do have a few tricks up our sleeves. We’re expecting to hear a lot of new music from everyone once we all come out on the other side of this thing. Everything moves so fast that it’s kind of a shock to be slowed down by circumstances beyond your control. On a personal note, I think everyone is anxious and frustrated, and frankly scared about what the future will hold, myself included. But throughout all of that I’ve seen small acts of kindness and larger acts of solidarity that I hope will continue to prevail. The ball is entirely in our court, and I think we’re being forced to see that now. We can demand things, we can act, we can be on the same team. In the end, whatever goes down, Heavy Temple can’t fucking wait to shred again.
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