FEATURE:
#SelfIsolation
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A Time for Music Discovery and Support
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NOBODY is really sure…
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when things will reopen, and everyone will be allowed to interact freely. I know there is advice that urges us to all be careful and not travel if we can help it; to stay away from pubs and busy areas and, whilst the coronavirus is taking its toll, it is a time for many of us to reconnect with music in a new way. I will just post features coronavirus-related but, as there is not as new music and activity this week as last, there is not too much else to write about. Lots of messages and tweets have appeared regarding ways to make people feel calmer and busy why they are self-isolating – even if you are not ill, there is less to do, so there is more time to explore and investigate. I do not have a complete list of what to watch and listen to, but there is a flurry of online activity regarding great apps, documentaries and new artists. I think supporting musicians at this hard time is paramount. Whilst gigs are being cancelled, artists’ music is available online and it is a good idea to support them. Of course, many cannot afford to pay for music – or too much music -, but streaming songs all helps. Also, when artists promote a live-streamed gig, go and watch and offer support. I am not sure what the Government are doing regards paying artists who cannot afford to lose money; there are many who are losing out because they cannot travel. I would say people should do what they can to help artists until things get back on track.
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In addition to that, use this opportunity to look through music documentary websites and revisit some great T.V. shows. I know there is a great Moog app that is available, and there are other nice offerings like that. Music biographies are a great way to spend some time, and I would advise people check out BBC’s excellent Top of the Pops archive for 1989. Ensuring current artists are supported and heard whilst digging into the archives and exploring is something that will make this hard time more pleasurable. Services like the BBC have great documentaries, as do streaming channels. The excellent Matt Everitt (BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music) started a thread about ideas that we could all get behind. People have come back to him with suggestions regarding great music shows, articles, photos, and all sorts of other things. It can be hard to know what to do whilst we are not allowed to venture too far, but the Internet should be used for good at this time – it is a vast library of treasure and information. I think we spend so much of the year immersed in social media or getting stuck in routines and work. Now that many have been given more time to break from that, dispense with the negativity, and nourish the hearts and minds. Whilst doing so, spend some time (and money if possible) promoting musicians and ensuring they are heard and appreciated – as many will be without pay and gigs for a long time. When we have the time and really think about it, there is so many music-related treats…
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LEFT to stumble upon.