Days of Rona: Jim Healey of Set Fire
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: Jim Healey of Set Fire (Boston, Massachusetts)
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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?
Well, like most everyone, we haven’t been rehearsing. Jess and I have both been doing some writing at home. We have had to cancel/reschedule a handful of shows, and we will see how the others we have booked pan out. We were in the midst of recording, so that is on hold until things start to level off. Everyone’s physical health has been good so far, but the mental toll of isolating is taking some getting used to.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
I’m in Boston, and Massachusetts has been shut down for a few weeks now. There is a “stay at home” order, and all non-essential businesses have been shut down. I have to go into work for my job a few times a week, and it’s pretty stressful, but I’m thankful to have a job right now when so many don’t.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Many of my friends are musicians, bartenders, booking agents, sound people, door-staff, recording engineers, etc, so there has been a huge impact. First and foremost, I worry for all of my friends trying to stay physically safe and financially afloat during all of this. After that, I wonder how this is going to impact the smaller venues, studios and such in the long run. That said, I am happy to say that I have seen people I know really stepping up and rallying around each other to try and make sure that everybody can get by.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
When all of this is said and done, I don’t think I will ever take another rehearsal for granted. I’ll be really excited to get back to recording and playing shows. I hope that everyone looks out for one another, because if anything good can come from this, I would like it to be that humans can be more compassionate towards one another.
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