THE NEW NORMAL: In a Year Without Touring, Artists Find Something in the Stillness (Part 2)

EDITOR’S NOTE: “The New Normal” is an occasional series of stories that look into how the coronavirus has affected artists, listeners, and the music business. Find other stories in the series here.

As in Part 1 of this story, we asked roots musicians a series of questions getting at how they’ve fared in past year as tour plans got wiped off the calendar and the music business was thrown into a long season of uncertainty. A few artists decided to tackle each of the questions in depth, and we’re sharing their thoughtful responses below.

AMYTHYST KIAH

How did the pandemic-related stoppage affect your touring or recording plans?

Fortunately, it didn’t interfere with my recording plans — just postponed them a few months. On the other hand, touring turned into a work-from-home situation and I had to learn how to adapt. I upped my online content creation game significantly and embraced the fact that I was fortunate to have any gigs at all.

What have you done (or not done) with the unexpected down time?

I’ve gotten in touch with aspects of my life that I had been neglecting. I started playing video games again, reading books, weightlifting, watching movies and shows that I really enjoy, and spending more time with my partner. My identity was tied up in being a touring musician, and once that stopped, I had to remember who I was. It was a terrifying feeling that had me riddled with anxiety for a few months, but it taught me that I need to make sure to take care of myself and allow more time for rest and relaxation.

How has it affected or changed you both in a practical and emotional sense?

Emotionally and practically, I have practiced learning to say “no” to some things. Over the past 10 years, I’ve said “yes” to everything that came my way and just tried to make it work no matter what. While it helped get me to where I am today, it came at a price. It always does when you burn the candle at both ends. I have learned how to politely decline when necessary and prioritize a lot better so I can have a balance of work and recovery. I will always love music — the “work” is everything else surrounding it! No matter your industry, your health suffers if you never know when to stop and take a breath.

Do you think it will change the way touring or recording happens in the future, even after we’re able to gather in person again?

I think live gigging will gradually return but content creation and virtual shows will remain. It was pointed out to me at a panel recently that there are people who simply aren’t physically able to go to shows. Virtual shows allow them to access and enjoy live music and that’s a great thing!

LERA LYNN

How did the pandemic-related stoppage affect your touring or recording plans? 

When the pandemic hit, I not only had sold-out shows on the books, but also a new record in the pipeline. I decided to pause on the record release and let the pandemic “blow over” before resuming our scheduled program a couple of months later, or so I thought. I was in a holding pattern for a while, just waiting. And waiting. Finally, I decided to forge ahead with the release, for better or worse.

What have you done (or not done) with the unexpected down time? 

Oddly enough, the pandemic enabled me to do something that my career otherwise made really challenging if not impossible; I birthed my first child. I also did a little recording, bought my first house, did some renovations, A LOT of cooking and baking. You’d think that with all this down time I would’ve written a library of new music, but I found it really hard to be creative with all the turmoil happening around us. That surprised me.

How has it affected or changed you both in a practical and emotional sense? 

I think most of us can relate to the shift in refocusing on those who are immediately around us. We’ve all been forced to slow down a little and have a lifestyle that resembles that of earlier times, like when we were kids. The isolation and stillness have also shone a light on things swept under the rug, not only personally and emotionally but culturally too. We can’t jet-set away our problems now. We have to sit still and face them. I have become so aware of the frenetic lifestyle I used to have now that it has paused. And while I miss it, I’ve learned to embrace the importance of home and also appreciate more deeply the luxury of travel and performing live. I feel even more lucky to have had all of the experiences I’ve had touring around the world now. What a dream job!

Do you think it will change the way touring or recording happens in the future, even after we’re able to gather in person again? 

As the industry has been forced to explore and utilize virtual/livestreaming platforms, I’ve heard some say that the pandemic led us to another means to connect to fans that has been underutilized. While that is true, nothing beats being in a room and sharing in the experience of live music together. Nothing can replace that, and I think people are dying for that kind of connection again as soon as possible. I hope we can carry these pandemic memories with us for a while, now that we recognize what a luxury it is to do such things, and really appreciate those moments to their fullest when they return.

LILLY HIATT

How did the pandemic-related stoppage affect your touring or recording plans?

In terms of touring plans, all those clearly got turned upside down. It was bizarre having a record come out at the beginning of all this, but I am grateful I quickly learned how to navigate this new space we are in through trying different things, including videos, livestreams, and a few socially distant local shows. In terms of recording, it has only given me more time for that!

What have you done (or not done) with the unexpected down time?

I have written a lot. I have worked on guitar. Journaled my dreams, taken a ridiculous amount of walks, got a puppy, loved on my pets … listened to tons of records. I have tried my best to focus on the present.

How has it affected or changed you both in a practical and emotional sense? 

The emotional arc for this era of time is wide, and I have felt them all. Fear, anger, resentment, sorrow have all surfaced for me, and eventually have led to a place of personal growth where I have found a bit of peace and joy. That is what I am trying to stay tapped into for the moment. In terms of practical, I am able to get to those little things I used to miss and leaning into how good I feel when I have taken out the trash, walked the dog, loved the cat, paid bills, etc. I have also learned I can’t predict the future (always thought I could, ha ha). Don’t get me wrong though, I miss standing on stage more than anything. I have had nights where I’m bored to tears, ’cause I need to rock! And I miss my friends.

Do you think it will change the way touring or recording happens in the future, even after we’re able to gather in person again? 

I absolutely do, and I truly have no clue what it’ll look like. What I do know is people need live music. We need to stand in rooms together and feel that visceral understanding that only a song can bring. So, we will figure things out as we go.

CARSIE BLANTON

How did the pandemic-related stoppage affect your touring or recording plans? 

We had 40 tour dates canceled/postponed last March (many of which have now been postponed an additional four or five times). We also had plans to make a record, which we were still able to do by hook and crook!

What have you done (or not done) with the unexpected down time? 

Since March, we’ve been doing monthly “Rent Parties” to pay my bandmates’ rent. Those have been big productions, and there’s been a steep learning curve (and gear-buying curve) for all of us around how to put on a great show on the internet. We are about to have our one-year “Pandemiversary” show!

Other than that, I’ve been oscillating between flurries of activity (writing, recording, making videos) and total lethargy (video games and baking). Just carrying the psychic load of this time period is plenty to do, some days. I think that’s OK.

How has it affected or changed you both in a practical and emotional sense? 

Practically, I’ve totally changed my business model. I am now operating an online “content-creation farm” (this sounds gross, but I think a lot of pandemic musicians will relate), which is funded directly by fans on Patreon, Kickstarter, and Rent Parties. It’s hard to know how sustainable this model will be post-pandemic, but as of now, my plan is to try and keep it rolling.

Emotionally, it’s been a roller-coaster. Most days I am a wreck. In addition to my job, I’ve lost two grandparents and a dog this year. On the bright side, I’ve found this time to be very politically invigorating; I love how many people are reconsidering our societal structures, our relationship to government and to each other.

Do you think it will change the way touring or recording happens in the future, even after we’re able to gather in person again?

The Patreon/Rent Party setup has allowed me to cover my expenses without gigs, and to pay my band more than I was able to when we were touring. And that’s making me reconsider my whole approach to touring; we have been road dogs for so many years without really questioning the sustainability of that model (financially, emotionally, environmentally). When we return to touring, we will be much more thoughtful about how we do it.

At the same time, we realllllly miss the road. I can’t wait to sing for people again.