Tragedy or Opportunity? Louisiana musicians take stock of their new reality

by Max Bonanno, Matt Hughes, Brett Milano and John Wirt

TO ALL LOUISIANA MUSICIANS!
Louisiana musicians tell OffBeat how they are coping with the COVID-19 virus restrictions and tell us what projects they have in the future. Be a part of the conversation by posting a comment below and letting us know what you’re up to.

 

We’re all in a very strange, unanticipated world right now. It’s even harder because most of us (if we’re at all cognizant) realize that things will never be the same as they were. And we live with a cloud of dread, not knowing who will or can survive this devastation physically, emotionally and financially.

I had spoken with Bethany Bultman of the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Assistance Foundation and she gave me some even more frightening information. Many people in the music and cultural communities are older than 60. Some have conditions that make them more susceptible to the virus: a history of smoking cigarettes or marijuana; alcohol or substance abuse, Hep C, AIDS, and in general not taking good care of themselves—not because they don’t want to—but because they haven’t had the resources to do so. No health insurance, perhaps (you need it especially when you work as a musician); there are too many “occupational hazards” you have to deal with. Too little money to buy nutritious foods, too many late nights. Let’s face it: our musicians, culture bearers, artists and gig economy workers are, for the most part, probably living in less than ideally healthy circumstances. They, and the very nature of New Orleans’ culture, are in danger.

What will be the new normal for listening to live music? What restrictions will we have so that we’ll be able to go out to listen to music at a music club or bar? Or go to a festival?
—Jan Ramsey

 

OffBeat talked with Louisiana musicians about these questions and how they are coping with the COVID-19 reality and what they are doing. Here are their stories in their own words. 

John Gros (pianist, singer and songwriter)

“It’s two days after my traditional Jazz Fest would have ended and I feel rested, alive and full of energy. That hasn’t happened in 25 plus years.

Finding acceptance in the new COVID reality has been the hardest part, first as a husband— my wife is a nurse—and secondly, as an out-of-work musician. Rediscovering who I am and why I do what I do got me on track. I have a saying, “Musicians are like cockroaches, we will survive anything.” I just have to figure it out. I’m a firm believer that hard work pays off. Doing something is better than doing nothing. The great New Orleans Saint and ALS hero, Steve Gleason, said it best. “When the ordinary see tragedy, the resilient see opportunity. When the ordinary retreat, the resilient reinvent.” We’ve been given the greatest gift, time. How we use it will determine how we get through to the other side.

After achieving acceptance, I learned new skills. I updated my website and online store, utilized my email list, and released a CD. I conquered the technology of live streaming and have performed four solo shows online. I’m energized with new ideas.

Right now, musicians and artists are on a level playing field. Club owners, promoters, managers, talent buyers have no more leverage than we do. We all use the same tools to connect with an audience. Some have a larger reach because social media says they do, but their reach isn’t worth anything if their follower interaction is nonexistent. It was obvious to me that three years invested in social media coupled with solid touring kept me engaged with my audience. After the record release, I am convinced they are listening.

The music business is changing weekly. The old ways are going by the wayside. Because of the new technologies and new behaviors, the future is here. My DIY mind is going wild right now. What can I do to feed my fans? How can I keep them engaged? How can I meet their expectations while surprising them with something new? Now is the time to unleash the crazy ideas that have been long dormant in my head. I plan on using the gift of time to develop them. It will be interesting to see what works and what doesn’t. Stay tuned.”—Brett Milano

Ian Bowman (saxophonist for Naughty Professor)

“The COVID crisis hit so quickly it stopped us in our tracks. We were in Colorado in the middle of a tour when we heard our last four shows with Galactic were going to be canceled. Fortunately, everyone in the band has stayed healthy, and we have found ways to stay busy despite the closure of music venues.

We were in the middle of writing a new batch of songs when the quarantine began, but that hasn’t stopped us from continuing our creative efforts. Through phone conversations, individual work, and demo sharing we have continued to work on these compositions, and started new ones as well. Using our own home recording studios, we have been able to remotely record our new songs and share them with our fans. We have also been collaborating with other musicians remotely as we continue to work on our next album.”—Max Bonanno

 

Quiana Lynell (vocalist)

“I probably went three weeks without practicing. I could not get over what was about to happen to my touring career. What if that won’t even exist anymore? I fought so hard to be a touring artist and provide for my family by touring. It took sacrifice and risks. I took that plunge, opened the parachute and jumped—and all of a sudden, the string pops. Because I jumped and I liked the glide, I can’t go back to living on ground. 

Sometimes I did hit a rough pocket. It was scary between gigs when my calendar looked empty. But somehow—if I was doing it right and creating moments that people loved—it just happened.

I’m a creative person, but I’m also a mom who chose to create two little people who depend on me. So, it’s got to make business sense. I have to survive for my family before I take a risk and fulfill my egotistical desires. But my team keeps me lifted. And every time I’m on the phone with somebody, it’s like we’re having therapy sessions together. It’s like old school, when people used to talk on the phone. When we got into the habit of texting and using social media, that made us feel like we were connected, but we were not. Now we’re back to hearing each other.

This has also changed the way I see my neighborhood. I have this yard and neighborhood and the birds and the sunshine. I symphonize with my friends and family in New York, New Jersey—places that don’t have green spaces. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have a bike ride or a yard to do my yoga in. I’m grateful to be going through the pandemic in Geismar, Louisiana. And it has been the springiest spring in I don’t know how long. Not extremely hot, not raining a lot. That’s helped me not be as depressed as I could have been.

When this is over—because we’ve had this uninterrupted time to dig into what we’re trying to say and how we want to say it—our next show, next tour and next record, should be on fire, so solid and so tight. And the biggest thing I’ve taken away from the past few weeks is that I must sing what’s true to my heart. This time is helping me find my authentic self. That’s what I want to present from now on.”—John Wirt

 

Sean Yseult (singer, songwriter, photographer and artist)

“Luckily I have not been sick throughout this quarantine, nor has my husband (Chris Lee, Supagroup, Chris Lee Band). Our lives have not been affected extremely as we both work on music and creative projects at home in our normal day-to-day life. I am currently working on a new set of hand drawn designs for my wallpaper [yseultdesigns.com] and on editing and toning photos [seanyseult.com] for my next photography show that I thankfully shot just two weeks before the lockdown. I haven’t been actively playing in a band for a while now, but this lockdown has given me time to work on my banjo skills and mastering a few new ragtime pieces on the piano. I haven’t even had time to practice on the theremin yet! Otherwise we are like the rest of the world, cooking lots of dishes we have never made, baking breads for the first time ever, and drinking a little more than normal! Making time for cocktail hour is a nice luxury. Also our friends gave us a bird feeder for Christmas this year and we finally got that up. Now we are seeing amazing pairs of birds we never had before—even a pair of red-headed woodpeckers. It’s funny the things that you begin to appreciate when you are forced to slow down. Of course we miss going out to clubs and seeing live music, but we are able to see some friends here and there, and in this modern world you are never disconnected from those you love.”—Brett Milano

 

Sam Craft (singer and violinist for Sweet Crude)

“We have been spending most of our time figuring out how to be an internet band, which is actually not all that strange given how band-life has been in the era of social media. In any event, it has forced us to step up our game in the streaming world, which means a ton of conference calls about bitrates and bandwidth. In our personal lives, it’s a lot of applying for grants and unemployment, scraping around for odd jobs that use social distancing responsibly, and maximizing Zoom and FaceTime for teaching music. Easy come, easy go. We are super fortunate to have access to wifi and some literacy with gadgets.”—Max Bonanno

 

Steve Riley (accordionist, singer and songwriter)

“All is well as far as our health. We are strictly quarantined due to my wife’s weakened immune system. We even have people get groceries for us. Luckily our neighbor works at Albertson’s.

My band all seem to be okay, receiving unemployment benefits and healthy.

I have been lucky to have success doing Facebook Live shows with my two sons, Burke, 10 and Dolsy, seven. They are incredible young musicians and have been my band for the past six weeks. We’ve done shows once a week, every Sunday 4 p.m.-5 p.m. The response and incredible support have sustained us. I have some of the most amazing friends and fans in the world.

Burke was due to play Jazz Festival with his young band this year and was sad to see it canceled.

All of the Mamou Playboys dates are canceled now into September. These are uncertain times, but we are grateful for one another, our beautiful home, our health, the gift of music and the love it generates around us.”—Brett Milano

 

Tim Laughlin (clarinetist and composer)

“Since the start, I used the time updating my website, loading in my new CD for release. Like many musicians, I was preparing to release it for French Quarter Fest and Jazz Fest, so I released it virtually, using social media and customer email lists. In late March, I started playing half hour solo balcony concerts, mostly to keep my chops in shape and practice. The clarinets’ sound was good bouncing off the French Quarter buildings. A few neighbors dug it, word got out, so now it’s something people tell me they look forward to. They’re camping out before I play every day and a couple of TV stations did stories on the idea. I even got a shout out from Ellen DeGeneres. One day, it’ll all end, so it gives me something good to look back at—kinda made me feel essential.”—Brett Milano

 

Je’Marcus A. Welch (a.k.a. “AKEEM”)

“The last live gig that I was a part of was at Dmac’s Bar and Grill in March. It was right at the beginning of the pandemic.

I have started an online platform via Instagram called Musical Mondaze with Music Artist AKEEM on Mondays at 7 p.m. whereby I converse and create with other creatives and artists alike about life and the arts as well as share some of my favorite music. It’s been really rewarding!

Although I have been blessed online, when I have gone live, the “tips/contributions” have been a little “emaciated” especially when compared to that of a live gig.

As far as creative projects during the lockdown, I’ve been doing guest appearances online, working on my solo album and an album for my band, L.Y.O.N. (Love Your Own Noise), creating jingles, and creating innovative ways to master the next school year at work.

Personally, I have sheltered in place and stayed safe home while only leaving for essential needs. I have cooked more often in the past few weeks than in my entire life. [LOL] I have learned to be okay with sitting still and not being on the go so much.

Everyone in my family is healthy and safe. Most of my family are essential workers, so we’ve been taking precautions and practicing healthy habits.

None of my family members have been diagnosed with COVID-19. However, I have had several friends that have been diagnosed, and I know several family members of my students that have passed due to COVID-19.

The upside this pandemic is that it has slowed the world down, including me, and has allowed us to reprogram our minds and hearts with a new normal. I have had to time to think, chill and work on self.

When will I be able to perform live again? I don’t know. I pray that it is soon. I love to perform live in front of an audience. There is an exchange that is unparalleled. However, I want to follow the social distancing protocol and want my fans to be safe.

There has been a shift in the music industry. I feel that it has accelerated the growth and expansion of independent artists like me by building a social media presence. Also, I think that the music industry has to adjust to financial deprivations and deal with allowing humans in a shared space to congregate.”—Matt Hughes

 

Trea Swindle (vocalist for Chapel Hart)

“We had to cancel the last leg of a small tour in Nashville after the governor mandated that all music venues shut down.

We have done live streaming on social media. Initially it was difficult to transition from live performances to live streaming. As far as live streaming contributions go, we reached out to our fans and spoke from our hearts. Our viewers understand the impact on musicians during this time and were able to give out of love and compassion which we definitely think made a difference in our ‘virtual donations.’

We have had the opportunity to partner with venues in which we’ve played in the past for live stream shows. Since we are currently unable to return to Europe, we will be working with a production company based in Germany for streaming projects.

We’re managing well, but just super-ready to get back to working and performing again. It’s been rough, but everyone is hanging and waiting for things to get back to normal.

We were blessed enough to not have any of our family diagnosed with COVID-19

The upside is that this lockdown had given the entire band the chance to come together, get closer and create more music. Hopefully we will be performing sooner rather than later!

We feel like this pandemic will add value to performances. After having gone an extended time without live music, we feel like it will be appreciated much more and not taken for granted.”—Matt Hughes

 

Tarriona “Tank” Ball (singer and poet for Tank and the Bangas)

“The pandemic has shown us that art grows through pain as flowers grow through concrete. Our industry has been decimated; all kinds of venues are closing down or in danger of doing so, musicians who are used to being on the road are running out of money, people can’t hang out in clubs to tip. It’s bad. But we are adjusting and adapting, becoming creative in ways we never thought we’d need to because the human need to create is stronger than the circumstances.”—Max Bonanno

 

Albert Allenback (saxophonist and flutist for Tank and the Bangas)

“It’s rare when the entire world is being affected by one thing.

Families, hope, reflection, and recovery are paramount. I’m grateful that there are people in the world that are actually thinking about touring bands like ours. For us, creation is key. Being home and active is something that we haven’t had the time to enjoy, so I’m just lying in the stillness of the city praying and hoping for the best.”—Max Bonanno

 

Steve Masakowski (guitarist and composer)

“I’ve been busy teaching online classes and lessons for the University of New Orleans Jazz Studies program. It’s been a challenge for both the students and faculty trying to deal with teaching and playing music at a distance. For instance, we encouraged our students in combos to record themselves with a click track using recording software such as Pro Tools and Garage Band. Then we fly the individual tracks into an arrangement so you can hear the whole band at once. The good thing is that it’s requiring everyone to learn how to use current technology.

I’ve also been doing some online concerts with my kids Martin and Sasha. We did one recently through the Sidebar NOLA Facebook page and will be doing an Ellis Marsalis tribute through Snug Harbor this Friday. I’ve also been watching a lot of great Facebook concerts with people such as Nick Payton and Matt Lemmler.

There’s a lot of people still making good music but I’m hoping that we’re getting closer to being able to play gigs again. The musicians are suffering.”—Brett Milano

 

Erica Falls (singer)

“Initially I was numb. You see your work go out the window and you don’t know what will come up again, then you’re filling out applications for assistance. I didn’t feel like singing, didn’t do any singing around the house. But I did play music around the house and allowed it to feed my spirit while I went back to my other love, cooking. Those things were a great thing to me until my spirit revived and the singing came back. I did my first live stream which at first felt a little weird because you’re so accustomed to the interaction, the exchange between yourself and the audience, and I had to focus like they were there. I had some really great tours and engagements set up, and I am basically trying to restructure that as much as I can for next year. Or just maybe coming up with some different creative ways to do what we love, which will maybe mean doing it for 20 people.” (She has also started a mail-order desserts business, Hen E Sweets, through her Instagram page).—Brett Milano

 

Mart Super (DJ Quickie Mart)

“I have been living in Los Angeles the past year. Gigging here and there but mostly doing recording engineering and stage managing. My fiancée and I are very grateful to be out here during this. Still a $1,000 fine for no mask (and civilian alienation) in public buildings with no end in the near future. California has been handling this very well. I’m as bummed as anyone else about missing Jazz Fest 2020. As far as music my group, Computa Games with Chris Arenas, we recorded a single with Big Sam just before the pandemic but have had to change plans for our 2020 vinyl and digital releases. So, it is looking like early 2021 for all of those projects but the lockdown has given us more time to finish them. Since the lockdown Gotham Green and I have been working on the 5th Haze Diaries, our first since 2012. We plan on releasing it for free in the next week or two until it drops on retail sites in August or September. It features past Haze Diaries collaborators Wax (waxdotcom.com), Jes Hudak, Know One (roansmithdesigns.com) iCon The Mic King and P-Rawb.”—Brett Milano

 

Alex McMurray (guitarist, singer and songwriter)

“Lockdown mode is agreeing with us for the most part. Drinking probably too much coffee, but we have all the delivery systems: drip, French press, espresso and instant (because sometimes you need coffee to make coffee). The boy is making great strides in Minecraft and is re-reading Clausewitz. Kourtney is doing Zoom meetings and classes for NOCCA all day and somehow finding time to paint murals on two walls. I have been making furniture and refining my kimchi recipe. Also doing the Tuesday night “fireside chat” series, which has been fun and terrifying. The trampoline has a new mat and is super springy. The beans are coming in. The treehouse is almost done. We have been playing a little badminton and when we do hunker, it’s in our fantastic miniature above-ground pool. Sometimes when the wind is blowing just right I can sneak off and try to do a little writing until some new cataclysm presents itself. When I want to get away I suit up and head to the store for starch/protein/veg. And more coffee.”—Brett Milano

 

Kristin Diable (singer and songwriter)

“I’ve been spending a great deal of time with my daughter, Lucinda. The silver lining of the world seeming like it’s falling apart has been being able to have so much quality time with her. She just turned one and is really coming into her own, so to get to be with her nonstop right now has been really wonderful.

It’s also been a very surreal time, in both positive and intimidating ways, but I’m trying to approach it as a really deep exercise in practicing equanimity, no matter the circumstances. Friends and family have come together to really be available for one another (if not in person, in favors, in FaceTimes, food drop-offs, in real conversations about how you’re really doing).

I see what rich internal resources we all have right now, more than ever, and that has been a positive in all of this. I’ve seen how much love and kindness there is between those around me, real deal, true and deep. I do really miss so much of the interaction and experiences that usually happens this time of year, but I think this trial will serve to remind us of just how much we really do have, once things get back to whatever normal will look like in the future.”—Brett Milano

 

Ingrid Lucia (singer and songwriter)

I have been working on Wanderlust, a mostly all-original album with a few standards. Steinbeck stated the American way is to travel, roam, explore, move. It’s ingrained in our DNA from our forefathers who came here seeking a new life. This album is a literal and symbolic work of material that represents the wanderlust of our mind, body and spirit. 

I’ve been in isolation with my mind and doing a lot of work on myself these last four months sober. So, at this point I’m kind of bouncing off the walls with wanderlust now. What do I do? Eat. Watch TV. Phone talk. Write. Take walks. Make love. Instigate talks. Practice a little. Read. Learn how to cook and clean. Build a new little home. Go crazy with a new puppy. Organize past writings. Console friends. Get lost in different aisles of a store and learn what a wrench does or how to use a power tool or go bling ghetto rebranding with a ten dollar blue leopard camisole set. 

Oddly, I don’t listen to a lot of music. My brain is reflecting on the next sounds I want to make. Wrote a rap and funk song I think are quite catchy but my daughter thinks is hilarious. Exploring in any way I can basically. I don’t drink or miss it. Me and my honey are both newly sober together. We cook good meals. Although he is superior; I’ve been ousted from cooking the dinner part after putting pretzels on the meatloaf. We watch way too much TV: movies, documentaries, some news and average mentality viewing of cheaters, murderers and stupid people from Jerry Springer to Judge Judy. (Not my choice)

I do want to deeply thank our community for taking care of their own without weeding through confusing paperwork; Jazz Fest, MusicCares, New Orleans Musicians Clinic, MACCNO, The Dew Drop, Howling Wolf, Crescent Market and the hands-on music fans. These are just a few of so many working hard and giving the best they can.

This time period can be a wonderful time to get to know oneself better. It could be the ultimate wanderlust of the mind.”—Brett Milano

 

Michael Doucet (singer, songwriter and violinist)

“Coping? I call it existing under a bubble; and it’s yours to own as an individual to create and exist under it as best as one can.

Since March, the rollercoaster ride of curtailing the virus by isolating people has amazed me in how quickly we can adapt. Of course, it’s been an adjustment for everyone, but being a creative, isolated type, I’m used to working alone. But the lack of peer feedback gets to me at times. I love and try to support those musicians who do daily, weekly feeds or solo concerts, but I’m not a fan of Facebook. Nor do I ever want to substitute a computer screen for a real human being.

Personally, my partner and I continue to mutually develop great admiration for each other, our spirits and our environment by talking, discussing, exercising, etc., and thoroughly enjoy each other’s company, without any time limits. One example is our effort to make our house a loving environment of awareness.

As far as music, it’s on my mind twenty-four hours a day. I usually get into a theme for the day by organizing my thoughts, seeking the origins of the music, studying the elements, practicing and composing. I listen to WWOZ, Kirtan chants and Latin jazz mostly, but it varies. I keep my chops up by playing several instruments daily, being a one-man orchestra for my ears only.

I have a great friend and fellow musician to whom I send my late-night inspirations for critique. I enjoy his feedback and look forward to trying out these new ideas together in the same room someday soon.

I feel fortunate to have been somewhat successful in my musical career, but I’m aware of the inevitable, too. Future performances may never be up to where they once were. I have learned to accept that as fact. I’ve played the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival annually since 1975, so the cancellation of that event shook up my musical soul. Add that to the fact that my new solo CD, Lâcher Prise, released on Valentine’s Day, was making great headway. And my new band, also named Lâcher Prise, was touring the country and making its first Jazz Fest appearance. Hopefully, I’ll figure out the internet video and sound hassles and BeauSoleil will soon perform virtually to celebrate our 46th year together.

In conclusion, this time of isolation has been better for my soul than my career…I think.”—John Wirt 

 

Mike Perez (bassist and bandleader)

“My last gig was March 14th at 30/90. It was with my band Big Mike and the R&B Kings. I have not done any live streaming on social media. I’ve only recorded a couple tunes on video and then released them. I released two videos and was tipped generously by fans and family. But it wasn’t close to what I can make at night on a gig. Also I can sell 10 CDs in a night and get tipped by Venmo/Paypal/Cash App. Plus I can make a guarantee or make a percentage from the bar. So there were way more avenues of making money for my band and myself at a venue as opposed to live streaming. 

Though I front/sing and play bass in my blues band, I have gone back to my original instrument and genre during this shelter-in-place, which is classical piano. I have started composing again and am currently working on my piano solo album. I have all the recording equipment here to do it. It will take time but I will get an album out by end of this year.

Personally, I am a loner at heart. Living isolated from people is not a problem for me. Though I sing and front a band for a living 12 gigs a week, I’m enjoying the stay-at-home life right now. I have so much time for other things. I have gotten into quite a few things. I’ve started redoing the landscape in my backyard. My wife and I just built two eight-foot long vegetable beds and started growing our own vegetables—tomatoes, onion, garlic, melons, and all kinds of peppers. Currently we will be planting squash, carrots, potatoes and herbs in a week or so. I built a bench in the corner of our yard for my wife to read her books and relax. I’ve built an eight-foot-long, three-foot-deep work bench so the family can do crafts and work on things outside and not have to do it from the floor. I’m a mechanic by trade so I have a lot of tools. I’ve also gotten into making a lot of food from scratch. Particularly flour-based foods—breads, flat bread, cakes, waffles, pancakes, pizza etc. I’ve also been writing a book for my oldest son which I read to him chapter by chapter.

My wife is still working but works from home—outside because of the kids. She gets a little stir-crazy because she’s a social butterfly and needs human connection. She’s in good spirits though. She works in the education department, so they’ve had to change their whole way of teaching kids via internet. So she’s been busy with work. My kids, who are young, don’t quite understand what is happening. They know people are getting sick. But they don’t understand why the park playground is closed, or why they can’t see their friends. So we use Zoom and Facebook video to have conversations with friends and family. But I am doing their home schooling as well. So I try to keep it fun and interesting for them. A friend donated a trampoline to us so the boys use it a bunch—which is good for us.

Fortunately none of my family or close friends have been diagnosed with COVID.

The upside of this is having more time to do other things. Those who know me here in New Orleans can tell you I probably gigged a little too much. I gigged seven days, five nights a week, every week, all the time. So I didn’t get much family time. Now that everything is shut down I have way more time with my boys and my wife. I’m enjoying it while I can. I needed some rest time and more importantly, family time.

I will probably not be able to gig again until they have a vaccine or once the hospitals are not maxed out anymore. I have chronic asthma. A simple cold sends me to the E.R. So I don’t really want to put myself in a situation where I might become fatally ill for some tip money. 

As far as changes for the future, for my music I think having multiple avenues of income will have to be something I do—such as doing my solo album and performing solo piano at small venues or even having a concert. I think it will be hard for a band like mine to make money from the start as most venues pay a percentage of sales or some pay a guarantee. Though guarantees are okay, depending what venue. My band still relies on tips to make a decent wage. The only way you can make tips is if there are lots of people. Word is they want to have 25 percent capacity at venues which will hurt musicians and venues. Money was pretty good if you had a good band and lots of gigs or a small trio and a decent amount of gigs. Musicians should start looking at honing their craft and doing small solo concerts and/or getting a second job. Gigs will be tight, money will be tighter. People will get sick. I try to stay positive, but I’m realistic too. It is going to be a slow machine. The city and venues can rush it all they want. But people will get sick again and we’ll be right back here with a second stay-at-home/shelter-in-place.”—Matt Hughes

 

Josh Orange (bassist and bandleader)

“My last gig was our first Friday show at Dmac’s on March 6.

We try to livestream on Facebook weekly. Livestream tips are about 20 to 25 percent of normal gig pay for us.

Since the quarantine, we boiled crawfish for the first, second and third time and now we have a groovy workshop. Live streaming gives us something to look forward to each week. Helps take our mind off of the situation.

In our family, everybody is following the rules and thankfully, everyone is still okay. We are trying to stay positive and see it through. We are also writing original music. When will we perform live again—the sooner the better. It’s like a piece of your life is missing.

For music in general in New Orleans, we would like to see changes so when something like this happens, musicians can still feed their families.”—Matt Hughes

 

Louis Michot (singer songwriter and violinist)

“The pandemic became an unavoidable reality when we were at what we didn’t know would be our last live show for the foreseeable future—March 8th at Rough Trade in Brooklyn, Lost Bayou Ramblers and Poguetry with Spider Stacy and Cait O’Riordan. Because we were in New York, people were already nervous. Though nothing had been ordered to close, everyone knew it was coming. We were still shaking hands and hugging the friends we hadn’t seen in some time, almost knowing that this would be our last chance to be normal for some time. We flew home the next morning and were supposed to fly back out and finish the tour the following Thursday. Of course, that never happened. The tour was canceled halfway through.

As soon as it became clear that we wouldn’t be playing for a while—and that every gig in what would have been my busiest spring in years would be canceled, and that the checks I depend on to raise my family would disappear—I resorted to my music survival roots—busking. In 1998, I started my path as a singing fiddler, busking on the streets of New Orleans, during all my travels through eastern Canada and, eventually, every day of the summer in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I had lately thought of busking on the streets with my Venmo handle as an experiment, but never thought I’d be doing that from my home.

The first week in lockdown, I put a chair under my favorite live oak, with my Venmo handle written on a piece of cardboard in my fiddle case. I started busking live on Instagram via the Nouveau Electric Records account. The support was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe how many people donated. It really gave me hope that there would be a way to continue making music and supporting my family, while in confinement.

My initial response to the pandemic was, of course, concern for the health and safety of my wife and three young boys—especially myself and my oldest boy, as we have asthma. With the lockdown and cancellation of all my gigs, my next concern was financial survival. So, I continued to busk online and, luckily, I had already planned to release four new projects with Nouveau Electric Records in April. Though the label is more of a passion project than a money maker, it gave me something to focus on. It was also a good time to release new music. Everyone else was stuck at home as well, and they needed new art to help them be at ease.

Now it’s been nine weeks at home. It’s clear that the old way of making a living, playing live shows, won’t be possible for some time. That may go through a complete change as many venues and festivals feel financial strains and some may not reopen. I’ve had to reconsider my whole process as a musician. How can I keep creating and performing from home? How can I replace the income from more than one-hundred shows a year? Live streams and releases help, but they won’t get me back to the level of income necessary to raise my family of five. 

To try to create a more stable income—and give me a platform to continue creating new music without worry—I’m launching a Patreon [online subscription service], which allows people to contribute monthly in exchange for first-hand live-streamed performances. I’m also launching the Nouveau Electric Hour, a pirate radio program transmitted on AM radio and uploaded as a podcast for patrons. 

Nouveau Electric Hour is a bilingual program in English and Louisiana French. The program features music and spoken word in French as well as new releases from Nouveau Electric Records. The program is entirely analog and even the new releases are recorded on cassette. Nouveau Electric Hour also features my latest creations, which I call LaRéLache, a collection of songs featuring Louisiana French spoken word over homemade beats and samples. 

My hope is that I can continue to create and produce new music from home—and keep my family safely provided for—while offering new music for fans as we all figure out how to make it through these challenging times.”—John Wirt

 

Sierra Green (vocalist)

“My last gig was at Cafe Negril on March 11th. I have been doing some light live-streams on Thursday’s at 6 p.m. on my music Facebook page. Tips are not nearly as much as they were live on stage, but I’m blessed and thankful.

Other projects I been up to have been live singing for other platforms such as Sofa King Festival and DC Paul’s Wednesday Night Jam. 

Personally I’m managing okay, thank heavens for the stimulus and unemployment, or I would be concerned for my son and me. My family is pretty much a part of the stay-home movement. We video chat with each other and only go out for essentials. My mother was diagnosed with COVID. She went through all the beginning phases—fever, chills, throat pain, etc. She toughed it out at home and is recovered. The upside of this for me is that I get down time with my son and time to create new material.

I don’t know when I will be comfortable enough to perform in clubs but I’m ready. Long term changes I see for music is better pay, better respect for musicians.”—Matt Hughes

 

Derrick Freeman (drummer and bandleader)

“My last gig was at dba on March 14. As far as live streams, I did Sofa King and few others sparingly. At first my livestream tips were about 60 percent of a single gig income. That soon dwindled to about 10 percent. 

Most of my elderly family is in the country or in Texas. They are on lockdown. No family members have been diagnosed with COVID so far, thank God. But some friends and bandmates have. I haven’t eaten any crappy food in months. I’m grateful for that.

Other than someone’s backyard, I have no idea when I’ll be able to perform again.

I don’t think it’s ever gonna be the same. Hopefully we [musicians] will come up with more creative ways to entertain the people, thus giving us proper leverage to negotiate with the venues. Everyone in the ecosystem from the bankers to the bus boys got to contribute equally and sacrifice equally. You think that’s going to happen?”—Matt Hughes

 

Terence Blanchard (trumpeter and composer)

“Staying busy is keeping me sane. I have the two classes that I’ve been teaching and the other things I’ve been doing. We released the documentary, Up from the Streets, and Spike [Lee] has his movie, Da 5 Bloods, coming out. I’ve been doing press for all of that. And then I’m working on a TV show for HBO. They’re doing a prequel for Perry Mason.

Other than the traveling and the physical connection to people, not much has changed in my daily schedule. And I’m getting a chance to work on my health, because I’m in the same spot every day, not traveling. That part of it has been beautiful to experience. And I have my family around. We’ve been creating a lot of beautiful memories. I guess it’s all in how you look at the situation. I know that I’m blessed. My wife and my kids, we’ve been talking about being blessed, being able to live on the bayou, on the water, and have a peaceful existence. We know that everybody doesn’t have that. We’re counting our blessings for sure.

Of course, I miss interacting with musicians and having an audience respond to what we’re doing. I missed Jazz Fest. That was a huge one. When I was coming back from a bike ride, I pulled in front of my house and a neighbor said, ‘Hey, man. Which weekend were you supposed to play?’ I said, ‘Oh, the second weekend.’ He says, ‘Ah, man.’ We lamented missing Jazz Fest. And my neighbor goes, ‘Look, man. We’re going to have some crawfish and gumbo in the backyard and just play some records.’ Actually, what he did, he played some broadcasts from past Jazz Fests. 

So, that part of it was a drag. But at the same time, I just try to stay positive. But I was scared to death when my daughter had to fly in from London. And I had a daughter flying from Boston. I was nervous about all of that. That was at the beginning of the pandemic, when we didn’t know as much as we know now. So, to have my daughters here healthy, I’m grateful.

Here’s the thing that I know: It’s a mixed bag of tricks, it’s a mixed bag of emotions. On the one hand, people are cooped up and separated. My wife, she’s a very social person. So, that part of it is hard. But the part of it that’s beautiful is that we’ve been creating a lot of great family memories by teaching our kids little things, like how to play cards. And we’ve been exercising together every day and spending more time with each other. That part of has been great. So, we try to stay focused on that. We don’t turn the TV on. We don’t listen to much of the news. We try to stay away from all of that stuff and just deal with positive things, to keep our spirits up.”—John Wirt

 

Larry Sieberth (pianist and composer)

“This whole thing was a shock to my system—as it was to most people’s systems. But for me, it’s been about reevaluating what’s important and what’s necessary. Music is important and necessary. Regardless of its ability to feed us or provide shelter, culture is necessary for society. I’ve been listening to more music and discovering music than I never knew existed. I’m awed and inspired by it. That’s one of the wonderful things about now, as opposed to the negative things that would be easy to focus on.

I had started working on a dance project commissioned by the Marigny Opera House. I was told that it would still go ahead in December. But then later they weren’t sure if they were going to do the production this year. I like having deadlines—even if they’re deadlines that I impose upon myself. So, when I realized I can do anything I want, I was frozen. It was a frightening state of mind. The trick now, or the quandary, is how do I become a voice that people want to hear? Especially now that digital media is filled to the brim with people who have something to say. And there is no lack of great music.

I hope people realize that it’s not only about the Billboard Top 10 or Hot 100. It’s not only about SiriusXM radio playing the most marketable jazz. Musicians can be who we’re really supposed to be. We don’t have to succumb to the marketplace. That’s why I created the music I had been all set to release [the quartet album A Night in Paris and orchestral project Musique Visuelle]. But I decided to curtail the releases at this time. Regardless, my goal is not to make a little bit of money on Frenchmen Street. If your goal is to play clubs on Frenchmen Street, I hope you succeed, but my goal is to continue being creative. And now is a time for reflection about who we are, individually, and how we relate to the entirety of the planet. That’s the most important thing that can be done now. Saving the planet is saving ourselves.”—John Wirt

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