All of us are adjusting, adapting, and learning how to live during this time of quarantine. This time of social distancing has affected every industry to some extent, but the musicians I know, and people in the music business in every capacity have seen their industry come to a screeching halt. There's no live music unless you count Facebook Live. Some people have no gigs at all. For example, Bass players and drummers need a band to play with. A singer songwriter has the capacity to strip down and play a solo gig, but when's the last time you just sat and just listened to a drummer drum? I do it all the time, but I'm going to guess I'm in the minority. Even sessions have become dangerous in this environment. Should the whole band and producer and engineer all be in a room together? Probably not. I don't know how many people you've come in contact with, and if you're willing to risk it to be with me, how many people have you just 'decided' were ok. This virus can be passed on with NO SYMPTOMS. Thats according to doctors. That's enough preaching. So how do the Raindrop studio owners plan to stay afloat?
So what's happening at Raindrop Music Studio? As I type, Scott is busy teaching a FaceTime drum lesson, and as soon as he's done, he has another lesson with an 11 year old student that wants to play Metallica. I might see if I can make him some lunch in between students. I've been baking almost more than we can consume the last several weeks. It's been a time to come up with some creative projects over here. We've got several things in the works that still allow us to be alone at the studio. First, the albums that we were working on before this mess are still moving forward, just in a very different way. We're also trying to stay creatively active, so we stay sane. Finally, we are brainstorming some ideas for how the bass players and drummers I talked about can still have a performance outlet.
The albums that we've been working on fortunately have the bulk of the music recorded. The band is done and the final vocals were done before we had to distance ourselves. That leaves aux musicians, (steel, fiddle, harmonica) and BGVs to get finished. Never have I felt so fortunate to live in a city full of musicians. And not just musicians, but music geeks that have small recording rooms right in their own homes. We've been able to send songs off to a harmonica player and a fiddle player, and they've been able to record their parts and send them right back to us. A quick download and setting the part up in the mix, and we're good to go. It's not quite that simple, but you get the idea. Technology , in this instance, is a beautiful thing. Background Vocals are recorded right here in the Raindrop Music Studio. How are we doing that and still maintaining social distancing? Well, honestly, we get to cheat a little bit on that. I love to sing BGVs, and so I try to do it a lot. Its a good thing to be quarantined together.
Staying creatively active is something that all musicians have to be purposeful and diligent about. I know personally that my mood can go downhill in a hurry when I'm not singing, or practicing an instrument, or really doing anything musical. Most creative people are similar in that vein. We all need an outlet. In additional to needing music, we also need each other. That's been taken away from us as well! How do we stay musical and stay connected to friends? We pick a song and turn it in to an add on project. The keyboards lay down a track then sends it on to guitar, bass, drums, and a singer. Scott will put it all together and we'll see what we've got. Sounds like fun, right? Maybe I'll post it in a week or two. If you want to hear it, please comment!
Drummers. Of course I have a soft spot for my favorite drummer, but both of us feel for the drummers that are going through a dry performance spell. We've brainstormed a few ideas, and have narrowed it down to this; A Facebook page dedicated to drummers playing for you live. Maybe a solo? Something else? To start it off, we plan to launch the page with a night of live drum solos from some of our favorite drummers. I'll post more information soon, but be watching for an invitation to this night of quarantined drums.
There's so many other things that ae going on over here at Raindrop for Scott and Carissa. Scott's tour with Porter Union was cancelled after their first CD release concert. We had our own Corona Virus scare (we're negative.) Carissa's hair salon is closed until the social distancing ban is lifted. We've had to learn the new distance learning for the kids. Keeping all that in mind, we also have an amazing support system of family and friends. We've had help in times when we've needed it most. We've had groceries taken care of when we couldn't leave the house. Supportive calls, texts, and communication from so many loving people keep pouring in. As scared as I am, I could not feel more fortunate. Lastly, in the midst of this, Scott has a birthday! Party and presents aren't really happening on any big scale, but he gets to pick dinner and dessert.
Please take care everybody. Take care of yourselves and take care of each other. Right now, those two things look remarkably similar. Stay home. Play music, read, dance, do yoga, play with your dogs, teach your kids, feed your soul. Stay Home!! Much love from our crazy studio to your homes.
Carissa
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