Posted in Features on April 29th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Tripp Shumake of The Heavy Eyes (Memphis, Tennessee)
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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?
Like much of the world, we’re taking it day by day. We’re fortunate that everyone is in good health, but with my medical condition I am at a higher risk and is top of mind for us all as we plan touring this year. Unfortunately our two US dates this year were canceled, but Stoned & Dusted has rescheduled for next year so we’re hoping to be out there in 2021. Regarding our EU tour this October, we are still booking dates and are hopeful this will come to fruition.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
All major cities in Tennessee have ordered their residents to stay at home as well as the entire state of Colorado (where Eric resides). We’re allowed to be out to get essentials and exercise, but strongly advised to avoid gathering in groups.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
The streets are much less populated and people are obviously panic-buying everything at the grocery. Bars and venues are closed so all live music is at a standstill. Fortunately, we’ve seen different initiatives such as Bandcamp waiving artist fees for 24 hours to Spotify working to add a fundraising feature tied to artist profiles.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
We’re all healthy at the moment. Personally, we hope people are taking this seriously and understand that while you may not be at risk, those that are immunocompromised are.
Posted in Features on April 29th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Rodger Mortis of Cursed Monk Records (Galway, Ireland)
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How are you dealing with this crisis as a label? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?
We’re doing OK. We’ve stopped mailing orders for a few weeks as we are limiting going outside as much as possible. We have made our entire digital catalog free so hopefully this will help folks while away the hours of isolation. We’ve also started up a podcast (The Cursed Cast) which will highlight some of our favourite labels and the excellent acts they put out. So again, hopefully this will help people pass the time. Health-wise, we’re fine. We both came down with a cold the first week, which ramped up the paranoia as we’re both high risk. But thankfully it passed. We also had to postpone our wedding, but that’s small potatoes in the grand scheme of things.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
We’re in lockdown at the moment, so you have to stay at home except to buy food, care for vulnerable people, do work deemed essential or briefly exercise within 2km (1.2 miles) of home. When you are out you have to adhere to social distancing. The state has deployed hundreds of extra police on the streets and passed laws to enforce the restrictions – violators can be arrested, fined €2,500 ($2715) and jailed for six months.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
We live in a small town in the West of Ireland, the community seem to be taking this very seriously which is great. Ireland as a whole seems to be doing its best and giving the situation the gravity it deserves. Plus, comparatively to other countries, it’s not too bad here yet. The Government has taken the proper steps, you can get a test if you need to, and there’s plenty of food on the shelves. I think it’s much scarier for Amanda (Cursed Monk Records co-founder, Rodge’s Fiancee) as her whole family lives in the States.
Music-wise, I can see the community coming together and helping each other through. It’s a beautiful thing. Times are hard, but we will come out the other side.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a label, or personally, or anything?
I want people to take this very seriously. Wash your hands. Give people space if you absolutely have to go out. If you’re wearing protective gloves or homemade masks, please learn how to use them properly. But most of all, if you are not working on the front lines or in essential services, just stay at home. It’s easy. There’s endless entertainment online, in books, around the house, in your own head. Plus, the world is more connected than it has ever been. If you need to talk to someone, jump online or pick up the phone. There’s no excuse.
As for our situation as a label, I want people to know that we are not going anywhere, and we will strive to keep releasing dark musical esoterica from the underground.
Posted in Features on April 29th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Somali Yacht Club (Lviv, Ukraine)
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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?
We’re all alive and well! Could say the crisis isn’t so crucial for us (Desertfests in London and Berlin have been canceled, Australian tour was postponed to November), but rather untimely. We got a good boost after the autumn tour and we feel that it is worth to tour more now. In addition, the autumn will be full of concerts. It is already difficult to find a free date.
We are now actively using the time to record a new album. This is our almost our only reason for leaving home.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
Most people work from home or at quarantine. All establishments are closed except supermarkets / grocery stores, pharmacies and banks. We must wear a mask in crowded places. Authorities do not restrict people from walking, but after warm weekends imposed penalties for picnics. People are enough responsible — they are queued at a distance from each other, the city center is empty. Only in sleeping quarters are quite crowded.
Worried about the increase in police force on the streets and possibly tougher quarantine rules. There is a feeling that these measures are exaggerated and will be used to strengthen positions of power (e.g., for suppressing unwanted rallies). Let’s see.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
The impact of quarantine is obvious — musicians, organizers, venues, etc. just stopped. As I see it, people are just waiting. Someone is immersed in creativity (is engaged in music, mastering tracks, etc.), someone is trying to establish business in new conditions (acquaintances from renting musical equipment shoot live shows). The whole is ecosystem stopped and can’t earn money. Quarantine losses will depend on its duration.
At the highest level, we have the situation that the government is seriously (more than half!) reducing the cost for cultural development. There is never a time for culture in Ukraine and now it will take a few steps back.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
From us — we are actively recording demos, for you — just stay at home as much as it’s possible and survive in this interesting time.
Posted in Features on April 28th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Michael Miller of Pale Grey Lore (Columbus, Ohio)
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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?
The COVID-19 crisis definitely blindsided us. You can be vaguely aware that humanity is about due for another once-in-century pandemic, but it’s not something you tend to factor into the planning equation when you’re going about daily life, you know? We’d been asked to play the SXSW Spider Ball in Austin, which was supposed to take place on March 20, and we built a small tour around it with additional stops in Arlington, Houston, and New Orleans. This was going to be our first time venturing down to play that part of the country and we were very excited for the trip.
News reports largely downplayed the virus at first, suggesting it wasn’t really that serious and comparing it to the common flu. But it soon became clear that this virus was far more dangerous than that. By early March, music festivals and large gatherings were getting cancelled and infection rates were escalating in Europe. Shortly thereafter, the World Health Organization officially declared it a global pandemic. We announced on March 13 via social media that our tour had been cancelled and urged folks to comply with CDC guidance on good hygiene and social distancing.
So far, all members of the band are healthy and virus-free. We’re doing our best to limit our exposure and flatten the curve.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
Ohio began by imposing a 100 person cap on mass gatherings on March 12. The closure of all bars and restaurants was announced on March 15, which of course included music venues. There was supposed to be a primary election on St. Patrick’s Day, but the governor closed the polling stations and tried to get the election rescheduled for June. (That didn’t work and now voters have to vote absentee by mail.) Then, on March 22, they issued the “stay-at-home” order which requires everyone to isolate at home unless you’re doing some “essential” activity, like getting groceries, caring for family, or working a job deemed essential. The order is supposed to be in place until May 1, but it’s likely to be extended further.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
The community seems to understand the importance of these social distancing measures to stop the spread of the disease. But people are scared. There’s just so much uncertainty right now. What’s going to happen to our venues? Can they survive this? What about all the bartenders, sound engineers, and other staff? How are they supposed to pay rent and feed their families when they can’t work? Everyone is in a state of panic and grave concern. Nobody knows what’s next.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
We want everyone to continue to do their part to curb the spread of the coronavirus so that the strain on health professionals isn’t increased even further. Countless deaths can be prevented if we all do the right thing. So wash your damn hands, don’t touch your face, and stay inside!
As a band, we are still adjusting to this strange new world. Even though we can’t get together physically, we are still writing individually and sharing ideas. We’re also putting together a quarantine playlist that we’ll be posting on social media, so look out for that soon. At some point, live music will be a thing again. Until then, we are brainstorming ways to engage with our audience, and we’ll announce any and all plans on our social media pages.
Posted in Features on April 28th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Dylan Gonzalez of Diary of Doom Podcast (New Jersey)
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How are you dealing with this crisis? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?
I’ve been working from home since March 19th. It’s been a little weird to adjust, but happy that my company is still operating right now. Normally, I go to a lot of shows in New York City and everything through June seems to have been cancelled. I was planning to head out to Colorado in October, but as more and more shows and events further down the line got the can, I realized putting the kibosh on that was probably for the best.
So far, my health is good. It’s weird walking around with latex gloves on and a bandana covering my face. I don’t have access to a protective mask right now, but I would rather any medical supplies go to the staff who actually need them. What I am concerned with is a close friend in the ICU battling this out. It gets all too real when you know someone suffering from this and suddenly all the holes in how we could have prevented this are very apparent. I think about him everyday, hoping he can come out of this.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
Where I live In NJ, school’s are closed and the restaurants are takeout and delivery only, if they have not just closed down already. None of the bars are open by me, but the local breweries have been offering curbside and delivery, so it’s nice that I can still support my friends in that business.
I generally don’t leave my apartment for anything except groceries and it’s still a bit odd to be in a grocery store. Not everyone seems to be taking it as seriously as others, which is both alarming and disappointing. Over the weekend, I went to pick up a few things and it was an absolute zoo. Literally no frozen food.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
One of my best friends lives a few blocks away from me and I can’t even go to his house to have a beer with him and his girlfriend. My girlfriend lives in Brooklyn and luckily has been fine, but it’s a challenge for us, given we are just a jump across the Hudson from each other.
And, of course, I have seen how much this has affected the music community, especially in doom. Doom and related bands make their buck on touring and it was crushing to see so many shows cancelled or postponed. We had some coming up that we were psyched for and obviously this is no fault of the bands. I have been supporting them by purchasing vinyl, merch, or sending money directly to them. It’s been really amazing to see what the doom and the NYC metal scenes are doing to help out the artists we care so much about.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
My situation is not as bad as others. I would like to let bands, artists, musicians, community members know that if they wanted to take this time to speak about what they are currently working on or their situation on another platform, I am happy to boost their voice with the podcast. There’s nothing better to do, I guess. We don’t even have to talk about doom metal, if you want to just jump on and talk to vent or ease your mind, that is fine too. I know there are some bands with records scheduled for later this year, so it would be a damn shame for them to lose momentum on that. This is a weird time we are living in and I want to be able to do whatever I can to help out the scene.
Posted in Features on April 28th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Ryan Cole of Desert Storm (Oxford, England)
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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?
It’s proving very difficult and has affected us as a band like most others it seems. Our new album Omens is out May 1st and was also supposed to be the first date of our three-week UK/European tour to promote it, which included a slot at London’s Desertfest. All shows are cancelled and we’re working hard to reschedule the tour for October. The two shows in Netherlands will now be in January 2021.
I also feel that our PR could be slightly affected too, magazine’s like Kerrang! Have postponed their issues for three months, and I’d be surprised if more don’t follow. I do of course completely understand why they have taken those steps and measures, and Claire [Bernadet] at Purple Sage PR is working as hard as she can to secure reviews/features, etc., which we appreciate. The Covid-19 is crippling a lot of businesses, economies as well as people’s lives… but it is what it is. It’s very difficult as an underground band that has put in a lot of time, money and effort.
Luckily the five of us in the band are in good health as things stand, and we’ll just have to hope we can pick things back up again when it all blows over.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
In UK it’s all a bit odd… Many people have been furloughed and are isolating, but there are lot that are not taking it seriously, not complying with rules and advice. I think we’d benefit by more draconian measures and enforce a stricter lockdown. Hopefully the sooner that happens, the sooner we’ll be past the peak and see a fall in cases. I still think things won’t revert back to normal until August/September, but only time will tell.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Yeah it’s really bad. Some people have lost jobs, or had to deal with pay cuts. A lot of bands are out of pocket and promoters/festivals have cancelled many events/festivals. We are so lucky to have a great NHS here in UK though. Doctors and nurses that are working around the clock to help people. It’s also nice to see people volunteering and helping more vulnerable people like the sick and elderly. It’s bizarre to be alive during a pandemic like this. It feels something out of a movie like 12 Monkeys or Stephen King’s The Stand!
It’s strange how our new video for the track “Black Bile” depicts the Black Plague… another pandemic. Strange timing…
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
We’d just like people to know that we are working hard to be on the road again soon, and if people want to help us, they can check out our new music on YouTube, Spotify or Bandcamp and pre-order the album, which would be greatly appreciated in these tough times. It would also help support our label APF Records. One thing about isolation which is a positive, is that it gives people the opportunity to explore more music.
[Click play above to stream ‘Cleaning Out the Ashtray’ from Brant Bjork’s Brant Bjork. Digital release is May 9 followed by physical pressings May 29 on Heavy Psych Sounds. Preorders are here.]
Brant Bjork is no stranger to setting his own direction and his own standard. For over 20 years, he has explored songwriting in various forms and in league with various players — some backing, some collaborating, some purely as part of a live dynamic — but all the while, Bjork has developed and continued to pursue an inimitable style drawing from the tonal weight and presence of heavy rock and the laid back sensibility that’s come to be a defining aspect of Californian desert sound in large part because of his own efforts.
The standard on Brant Bjork, his 13th full-length and latest in a continuing and thus-far-fruitful partnership with Heavy Psych Sounds, would seem to be conveyed right in the opener “Jungle in the Sound,” and the message is relatively straightforward. It needs a little funk, a little boogie, something rhythmic and intangible. Bjork has rarely shied away from engaging race in his work — all the way back to 2003’s Keep Your Cool (reissue review here), which opened with “Hey, Monkey Boy,” up through more recent efforts like 2014’s Black Power Flower (review here) — but “Jungle in the Sound” feels directly in conversation with “Chocolatize” from 2018’s Mankind Woman (review here).
Bootsy’s Rubber Band had “Jungle Bass” in 1979, and Parliament had Chocolate City in 1975, so the history of African-American music he’s engaging with is front-and-center, literally at the fore of the album(s). Mankind Woman record was Bjork‘s last proper studio outing and first for Heavy Psych Sounds following 2016’s Tao of the Devil (review here) on Napalm Records — though the archival Jacoozzi (review here) also surfaced in 2019 — and if the self-titled is speaking to or building off of it in some ways, it’s only fair enough ground for Bjork to cover. And certainly the advent of Brant Bjork‘s Brant Bjork, the sheer fact that 21 years on from his debut solo record, one of desert rock’s most crucial figures would decide to put out an album bearing his own name, is neither happenstance nor an inconsiderable move to make. Once again, he sets his own standard.
He also, fortunately for his generations-spanning fanbase, lives up to it.
Brant Bjork runs an unpretentious-as-ever eight tracks and 37 minutes, and reads like a missive/check-in from that particular otherworld that Bjork‘s music seems to inhabit: a place where no one has to ask if you’ve ever been experienced because the assumption is, yeah, you have. Also you might be stoned. In part, what distinguishes this collection particularly from Mankind Woman, on which he collaborated directly with guitarist Bubba DuPree (Void) in songwriting and brought in the likes of recurring guest vocalist Sean Wheeler to contribute, as well as Tao of the Devil and Black Power Flower before it, is that Bjork recorded all of the instruments on this collection himself. It is a true solo outing.
With recording/mixing by Yosef Sanborn in Joshua Tree and mastering by the esteemed John McBain (ex-Monster Magnet), Bjork establishes his standard readily and sets out on his path with “Mary (You’re Such a Lady)” and “Jesus Was a Bluesman,” an obviously purposeful pairing that talks about faith in a way I can’t remember Bjork having done before, taking dogmatic figureheads and making them characters in his universe. Jesus, a traveling mystic, becomes a bluesman going from town to town to preach. Mary arrives with a sleek groove as though she might be played (gloriously, no doubt) by circa-1974 Pam Grier. And of course, that song might also be about weed.
If the theme that ties these songs together thus far is an underlying sense of honesty, or trying to make sense of experience, then “Cleaning Out the Ashtray” — the metaphor being the ashtray of one’s life — is all the more appropriate as a follow-up. The longest cut at 6:35, it boasts the standout line, “Baby all the love you’re looking for is right in front of you,” and a signature, warm-toned solo that reminds not only of best times, but of how refreshing that “clean ashtray” can feel. Side A could hardly ask for a better finish than riding out the midsection jam back to the chorus and a subtle build of fuzz behind the steady beat carrying the nod forward, mellow but not at all absent from the moment, a last crash sounding particularly ready for the stage.
“Duke of Dynamite” is a swinger. It would almost have to be, right? But it is, and it brings to mind the balance Bjork strikes throughout Brant Bjork between the intimacy of a solo record — for sure the acoustic closer “Been So Long” speaks to that, as does the absence of a longer instrumental jam, which is something the last few LPs have featured — and his virtuosity in conveying a full-band feel. He’s playing everything here. Marking his own pace on drums, building up bass and guitar, and adding his own vocals, all the while realizing an aesthetic vision of the songs.
It’s not the first time he’s done it, and after over two decades of working solo, never mind his time in Kyuss, Fu Manchu, etc., it’s not a surprise he can pull it off, but it remains impressive. Where “Cleaning Out the Ashtray” comforted with its solo, “Duke of Dynamite” provides a short bit scorch, and rides easy into the speedier “Shitkickin’ Now,” which with lines like, “Left the scene but it followed me/Kept it clean but it followed me,” and so on, could easily be read as autobiographical, but still holds its laid back feel, with the drums deep in the mix and the vocals delivered in such a way as to play up the boogie as much as, if not more than, the punkish undercurrent.
That leaves “Stardust and Diamond Eyes” (6:31) as the grand finale ahead of the quiet capper, and rather than blow it out, Bjork keeps it abidingly cool, with a heavy roll drawing toward a languid flow that’s so much his own it might as well bear his name — oh wait — and a subtle but nigh-on-perfect lead-in for “Been So Long.” The shift in approach at the end reminds of 2006’s Tres Dias (review here) in its guy-and-guitar minimalism, and it underscores the root effectiveness of Brant Bjork‘s songwriting, which, though it’s a point that’s been made all across the album before it, finds its punctuation welcome nonetheless.
For Brant Bjork fans, the return to a solo methodology will speak to some of his older work, specifically his now-classic debut, 1999’s Jalamanta (discussed here; also here). But even for those who haven’t followed him on his winding journey through the desert over a period of years and decades, for newer listeners or someone taking it on after hearing perhaps some of Heavy Psych Sounds‘ catalog reissues, Brant Bjork successfully captures what snared those longtime fans in the first place. And most importantly, it does so without pretending the last 20 years didn’t happen. It is honest, it is genuine, and it is singular.
Posted in Features on April 28th, 2020 by JJ Koczan
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: Reece Tee of Steak & Desertfest London (London, England)
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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?
Desertfest: We had been watching this Covid cloud looming for several weeks and fearing the worst. To make life more difficult for us, the UK government wouldn’t put a ban on mass gatherings but just advised people not to go to any! It was very difficult for us to make a decision straight away as we had a lot of financial issues to resolve. What to do regarding deposits for bands and venues and what we could do for people that had purchased a ticket, should we try and do something later 2019? Although there was some pressure on us to announce earlier, we wanted to get everything sorted so we could announce a clear plan for Desertfest 2021 and allow people to roll their ticket over and offer donation packages so people could show their support. I have to say we were blown away by the reaction from everyone and it has helped us so much in planning for our 10 year anniversary edition in 2021. The Desertefst team are fighting fit and we are working hard to make 2021 our best yet.
Steak: Before Covid kicked off we were working hard on the next album, we had a large portion of it recorded already but we decided to go back to the drawing board, we could do better, we could push ourselves as musicians, it was too comfortable so we took the best of it and reworked some stuff. Since covid we have had to retreat to our homes so other than passing ideas around digitally we haven’t managed to get together, it’s been frustrating to say the least although it’s given us plenty of time to play around with ideas. We are all healthy and focused on releasing a great album and we can’t wait to get back to it.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
We are on lockdown and not really allowed out other than some exercise and getting food, it’s such a strange world right now, people are all dealing with it in different extremes and judging how to interact with other people becomes tricky. Things change weekly though and people are out and about more as the weeks go on — cabin fever is setting in! In the UK we have been told that we will lock down for another 3 weeks but then hopefully we can gradually get our normal lives back.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
It has totally stopped live music on the UK, all events and gigs have been cancelled or postponed until later in the year or to 2021, it’s such a surreal situation and difficult for musicians and promoters alike. I do believe there are positives though. Life is so fast paced, especially in London, so to be able to lock yourself away and focus on music is great and something I haven’t managed in quite some time. I’m playing so much more guitar, and listening to more music, there are so many bands that I haven’t spent enough time on which I can now. I’m finishing other musical side-projects and it’s allowing me to focus on what I love. It’s a really important time and never again will get this opportunity to step away from the world for a while.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
Desertfest: Desertfest will come out of this crisis stronger than ever and what has been the most beautiful thing for us is the support from the fans. Sometimes it feels that people may be getting tired of the festival and should we change it to keep it fresh, but this situation has really strengthened the community and I think people realise what a cool thing we have all created. Only when you lose something do you really appreciate it so I believe the hunger for Desertfest is stronger than ever and can only be a good thing for the future. Thanks’ you lot!
Steak: A lot of people have been asking when the new album is out. It was going to be the end of 2019 but as mentioned before we scrapped the first recording of it. Not because it was bad — in fact I listened to it again last week and it’s really good and the best stuff we have done by far — but we believe we can take the songs to the next level. We questioned rushing it. We want to jam with these songs some more. Let’s see where it takes us, and pre-Covid it was proving to be the right decision. This album will surprise some people, it’s had time to evolve without trying too hard and it’s becoming a beast in its own time.
