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Days of Rona: Alex Pi of Puta Volcano

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

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Days of Rona: Alex Pi of Puta Volcano (Athens, Greece)

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?

We are a few days away from when we would be embarking on our European tour to promote our new album, had this crisis not landed on us. It’s not something we’re happy about, however, we are not alone in this predicament. And this transcends music, it’s a global situation that encompasses everything and brings along an awkward numbness. As a band, we are behaving the same way we behave as units, we are isolated in our homes and trying to make the best out of this situation and thankfully all of us are healthy so far.

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

We have been in lockdown for over a week [as of March 30], here in Athens, and are only allowed to go out after notifying the government via SMS. Even then, groups of more than two people are not allowed. Shopping takes a long time because supermarkets have to monitor the number of customers in the shop, which results in long lines waiting outside. No complaints there however, it is the least we can do to make sure “the curve is flattened.”

How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?

The word “around” has an ominous sound to it these days. I suddenly feel that everyone has a new appreciation of personal space and people are trying to fight the instinct of human contact that we’ve abided by all our lives. As far as music is concerned, this really feels like an apocalypse, not knowing what the landscape will look like after we emerge. Not saying that I expect to see mutants and dune buggies modded with spikes running around, but I’m really curious about how the concept of a packed venue will be interpreted on the other side of this. On the bright side, we are firmly in the information age and it’s a chance for us all to catch up with all sorts of personal backlogs, be it music, movies, practicing an instrument or even picking up new skills. It’s also very optimistic that a lot of bands were quick to adapt, streaming shows, or even just the sharing of riffage online, seems to create a sense of camaraderie.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?

This is a time for us to think and act with the collective good in mind. We need to protect ourselves and protect others from ourselves. As a band, we can only promise that we will come out even more passionate about our music and willing to hop in a tour van to play as much as we can. In the meantime, let’s twist this restrictive period around into a productive self-introspection and come out wiser.

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https://putavolcano.bandcamp.com/
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