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Days of Rona: Justin Storms of Wailin Storms

The ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the varied responses of publics and governments worldwide, and the disruption to lives and livelihoods has reached a scale that is unprecedented. Whatever the month or the month after or the future itself brings, more than one generation will bear the mark of having lived through this time, and art, artists, and those who provide the support system to help uphold them have all been affected.

In continuing the Days of Rona feature, it remains pivotal to give a varied human perspective on these events and these responses. It is important to remind ourselves that whether someone is devastated or untouched, sick or well, we are all thinking, feeling people with lives we want to live again, whatever renewed shape they might take from this point onward. We all have to embrace a new normal. What will that be and how will we get there?

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

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Days of Rona: Justin Storms of Wailin Storms (Durham, North Carolina)

How have you been you dealing with this crisis as a band? As an individual? What effect has it had on your plans or creative processes?

Yeah it’s been really bad timing for sure. It derailed a larger tour we had planned in April/May which would’ve supported our newest record dropping May 15th on Gilead Media (US) and Antena Krzyku (EU). We were also discussing a European tour in November but that’s now been postponed until things calm down. Basically, the thing that funds future records like many other bands has now come to a standstill. We’re hoping to be able to make up for this through online sales but we love playing live so it’s pretty disheartening to not get that outlet now.

We’re all pretty restless as individuals, even me though I’m more of an introvert. We went from practicing constantly workshopping new songs to not being able to do that for now. We might find a work around but I think being in a room and feeding off that raw energy is crucial for us but just about every one of us has a partner with health issues so it’s not worth the risk at the moment.

I thrive on solitude creatively so Covid hasn’t hindered that much for me but it’s nice to have that weekly practice to bounce ideas off each other or venture into new territories and dynamics with other elements in there.

How do you feel about the public response to the outbreak where you are? From the government response to the people around you, what have you seen and heard from others?

People have been decent about being safe in our town (Durham, NC) but I’ve seen numbers spike to 800 new cases since opening up some businesses again and I’ve seen a lot of folks without masks inside supermarkets, on trails, and hanging in parking lots which drives my anxiety through the roof. The government response has been fairly proactive here in our state which is nice to see and they’ve been hesitant to reopen fully which is the ethical thing to do until we find a vaccine. A lot of our friends are out of work including our lead guitarist who ran sound for several venues in town so it’s tough out here right now.

What do you think of how the music community specifically has responded? How do you feel during this time? Are you inspired? Discouraged? Bored? Any and all of it?

I think the music community has been really supportive but there’s only so much you can do if everyone’s struggling and venues are likely to close so it’s just the beginning of an already rough road for artists and music venues. I personally feel severe anxiety and depression since I deal with auto-immune issues, I’m worried about getting this and dying in two weeks. I’ve become a hypochondriac and feel like I want to just live in some small town in Europe again and all day making art and drawing until this blows over but the world’s a mess so that’s not going to happen.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything? What is your new normal? What have you learned from this experience, about yourself, your band, or anything?

My new normal is trying to stay healthy and sane. I’m in survival mode so it’s not the easiest time for making art but I have to do it so hopefully my mind will allow me to keep making things.

I’ve learned to take more hikes on trails and began mushroom hunting which is something I haven’t done in a long time. The silver lining of this thing has made me closer to my family and my partner since I don’t have a slew of things to juggle every day now. It’s forced me to slow the fuck down and smell whatever nature’s cooking that week: crimson clover, wild roses, buttercups, honey suckle, bleeding hearts, and bloodroot.

https://www.facebook.com/wailinstorms/
https://www.instagram.com/wailinstorms/
https://wailinstorms.bandcamp.com/
https://gileadmedia.net/
http://antenakrzyku.pl/

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