Days of Rona: Todd Severin of Ripple Music
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: Todd Severin of Ripple Music (San Ramon, California)
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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?
Yeah, it’s been a tad of a bummer for sure. We’d spent months planning RippleFest Cologne in Germany, and we simultaneously planning the first ever European Tour for Horseburner and Howling Giant to coincide with RippleFest, and that all got put on the back burner. Also the Ripple 10 Year Anniversary Party was gonna happen this June, with Wino, Mothership, Wo Fat, Mos Generator and so many more. So that will now be postponed until next year, so keep your eyes peeled for the Ripple 10-Year Anniversary, Crank It Up To 11 Party!
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
I’m in the SF Bay Area. We were the first county in the entire nation to be “Shelter in Place.” So we’ve been under the lockdown for more than a month already. Definitely a strange world out there now. SF streets empty, restaurants all blocked with a table to give you your food at the door. Very Twilight Zone.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Yes, of course. I think everyone is trying to figure out is how to survive in the new world. With the massive explosion in live streaming performances and podcasting etc. Problem is, there comes a saturation point where I think people get numb. In the end, I think folks just want to get back out to their favorite clubs and rock the fuck out. Will happen, soon enough.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
Ripple is hanging in there right now. We’ve seen some slowdowns in shipping as flights are cancelled and freight is near impossible to find now. We’ve also experienced some of our own shipping delays, as our order house can’t get product from storage as it’s not a “essential activity.” Ha! Try explaining that to a metalhead that their fix of new stoner doom isn’t essential! With Records stores all closed, the distribution checks are getting smaller and smaller, which will probably impact us greatly in about two-three months. But the Waveriders are amazing and they’re supporting us like crazy through our Bandcamp and direct purchasing through our BigCartel. Ripple will definitely take a big hit from all this, (and we don’t qualify for any SBA grants, because we don’t actually turn a profit), but we’ll survive. In the end, things like this tighten communities as you learn what’s important. We’re not slowing down. Full speed ahead. Virus be damned!!
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