Days of Rona: Ole C. Helstad of SÂVER
Posted in Features on April 20th, 2020 by JJ KoczanThe 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: Ole C. Helstad of SÂVER (Oslo, Norway)
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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?
When this whole thing started, or when it started FOR REAL, SÂVER found ourselves in Budapest, Hungary. We were set to do a 17-show tour with Belzebong, and the first show was going down in Budapest. After eager discussions within our band and with our booking agency of whether to leave for tour in the first place or not, we decided to go for it as every promoter gave the green light Tuesday evening March 10th. But as soon as we landed in Krakow the following day, emails started coming in with the one cancellation after the other.
It was a feeling of hopelessness hard to describe. Anyway, we went to Budapest with our van and driver, still with decent hopes. While arriving there one day prior to the show, all countries surrounding Hungary started closing their borders.
We had this idea of us being flexible in a van, that it would be our security net, meaning if all things got cancelled we could at least go back to Oslo by van. But this changed to a nightmare situation by the hour, as our driver wouldn’t be able to enter his home country, and also being put in quarantine. So the night after the show in Budapest. (Yes, the show actually happened, but in a smaller rehearsal-like venue, since the original venue had to shut down by government demand), our driver had to leave us to be able to get back home himself. At this point all hope to continue the tour was lost obviously, and we had to gather money to be able to book flights home, with our small collection of tour supply counting 17 checked luggage by the three of us. Dark times. Thankfully friends and family came to the rescue, and we got a flight back home the following Saturday.
Safe and sound back home we pushed merch sales through our SoMe channels for some economic damage control, and people supported like never before. THANK YOU!
Luckily we also received some government funding from Music Norway to help out with all the costs involved with the cancellation of a tour like this. A lot of money down the drain.
We also got an invitation to do a live stream show from Kulturkirken JAKOB, the same church hosting Høstsabbat, where people were encouraged to donate. And they did. We are extremely thankful and humbled for all the support shown after the tour cancellation. We wouldn’t have been able to deal with this without it.
On top of this, Desertfest Berlin, where we were set to play also had to cancel. Another 10-day run we were supposed to do late May/early June around Europe has also been cancelled.
Not to mention the Norwegian Grammys, which were set to happen March 28th.
For KITE, our new album dropped March 27th, and it’s fair to say this whole situation withdraws attention from that kind of news of course. The planned release show in April also got cancelled.
I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to a period of time as much as this spring, and all of a sudden it’s all shattered. Even Roadburn, JJ! We don’t get to meet at Roadburn either this year. Haha.
That all being said though, the covid-19 situation puts your everyday life in perspective. And even if it feels dramatic, and bums you out completely, it’s heartwarming to see the collective effort being laid down all over the world. When the shit hits the fan, people stand up for each other, and show love towards their neighbour. Health and safety always first. Follow the advice given at any time!
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
After we got back home from Hungary we had to be quarantined for 14 days. Everyone entering Norway from abroad applies to this rule. The same goes for people who’ve been in touch with or close to anyone infected by covid-19. If you test positive you have to be in isolation until seven days after you’re symptom-free.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Well, it’s had tremendous impact already, and not in a good way. This whole spring/summer seems cancelled all together when comes to bigger events. All venues in Norway are shut down completely since March 13th. Meaning they are in huge risk of losing their business and livelihood. Norway as a country needs to fund running costs for all venues, and grant funds to everyone who lost their business overnight.
It is very scary times for people in love with cultural activities.
As all bands are cancelling their tours for the coming months, I fear for a chaotic Fall, with smaller bands suffering from lack of venues to play, because the bigger bands all need to go out again to regain financial loss. On the other hand people are probably starved for live events, and I have a feeling the support given from fans when things go back to normal will be immense.
A good thing from the horrendous corona-situation might be people not taking everything for granted afterwards. In Oslo, we are seriously spoiled when comes to shows and events, and this period of everything shut down might remind people of what they love, and why they love it. AND, that it shouldn’t be taken for granted.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
For the time being my bandmates and I are alright. When this shitstorm passes, everyone needs to stand up for their interests. We need to support each other, and in particular local venues, promoters, bands, you name it. All people involved in especially the live music industry will need all the help they can possibly get.
Actually all small businesses will.
Be there for each other, and eventually make the world a better place for all.
https://www.facebook.com/saveroslo/
https://saeverband.bandcamp.com/
http://www.pelagic-records.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pelagicrecords