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Days of Rona: Megatherium

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

MEGATHERIUM

Days of Rona: Megatherium (Verona, Italy)

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 have a brand new album [out now], had a few dates already planned, and we were writing some new music. Unfortunately, everything was stopped: no gigs, no rehersals. As to health we are all okay so far, and so are our families. But we miss playing live so much!

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

We live in Italy, where the conditions are hard. We are in total lockdown since the first days of March: no crowding is allowed, all events are suspended; schools, offices, restaurants, bars, pubs and all unnecessary businesses are closed. We can only leave our home for serious issues and our health system is packed full. It’s very tough; since we were one of the first European country to start this challenge, our only hope is that thing get better pretty soon.

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

Of course everyone is struggling in his own lives to keep on. Many have someone in intensive care at the hospital or, even worse, dead. But you know, Italian people can also be surprisingly generous. Communities come together, people help each other; someone who is skilled in something goes live on internet to teach it to other people, musicians play for free on their balcony. As Megatherium, we call each other almost twice a week to chat, drink together and plan our future. The underground music is stuck, but we’re pretty sure that when the virus is gone, all the bands — including us — are going to play louder, better and more often than ever. We can’t wait.

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

We can only hope governments around the world take this virus very seriously. Though we have a strong health system in Italy, we reached the breakpoint pretty soon. Stay home, stay safe: it’s tough, but it’s the only way to get out. Focus on yout families and friends: music will survive, anyway!

www.facebook.com/MegatheriumStonerDoom
www.megatheriumstonerdoom.bandcamp.com
www.argonautarecords.com
www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

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