Days of Rona: Leif Edling of Candlemass
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: Leif Edling of Candlemass (Stockholm, Sweden)
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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?
Everybody in the band are okay, fingers crossed. It’s not fun to have all your gigs cancelled or postponed, but we do what we can to do something constructive anyways.
For instance we are planning a live streaming show at the end of the month. Not one of those homemade things that are popular right now, but in a big studio, and with a filmcrew present. :-)
I really hope this will happen. A fun thing for us to do in these strange corona times, also an alternative for those shows that didn’t happen this evil spring.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
In Sweden we can gather up to 50 people at the same time, so we can go to the pub and eat in a restaurant, as long as we keep a distance of 1-2 meters.
We don’t have a totally out of control outbreak either. It’s more under the surface as of now, so we’re waiting for the eruption to come. And of course hope it never does….
But everybody I know sit at home, as I do, read a lot, watch Netflix and HBO, clean the house, fixing the basement, sorting the vinyls (again).
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
People are losing their jobs, shops close, economy goes down… people are trying to keep a positive attitude but that bit you see is harder and harder to maintain.
Personally I think that is one of the most important things now in these hard times — be positive, don’t lose faith. We will prevail and come out of this better then ever before!
I’m sure there will be many records and songs written about the pandemic… the Corona pest!
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
I’m not important. What is key is that we don’t panic. Just take it easy, try to be positive, stay at home, support your near and dear AND also your neighbours. Not with visits, phone them, email, shop groceries for the elderly close.
And don’t forget to listen to A LOT of hard rock and metal! That part is VERY IMPORTANT!
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