Quarantine Survival Kit
Original Blog Post With Fun GIFS Here
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Quarantine Survival Kit
Written by Mad 4 It
This is the original article I wrote, which is skewed towards the pop punk, metal, and hardcore scene, as that’s what I listen to. There is a more generalized article being published through ‘For The Punks’ with the same info, but including less specific genres! Feel free to check that out as well for some different recommendations and info!
As musicians, creators, and artists, we hold such a rare opportunity in our hands during this epidemic. People are turning to the arts to gain positivity in their life in a time when many are struggling, and there are so many ways that our community can help contribute to sharing entertainment and art.
As it looks like quarantine will be going on for a bit longer, here are a few highlights of some things I’ve seen happening on social media over the past month. Kudos to all who are not listed, but who are doing their part in staying home and providing entertainment and art from their own homes. I hope this energy continues long after the pandemic is over.
I hope this also poses as inspiration for the months ahead, to take these ideas and use them for your own music, art, or just to connect with people in general. I cannot say it enough, support, support, support, as much as you can.
Live Stream Concerts
A TON of artists are doing these, some for free, some for donations, some for tips. Anyone from John Legend, to local artists are doing them, and it is such an amazing way for musicians to showcase their music on a personal level, and take time to connect with fans and friends. There is pretty much a live stream going almost all the time at this point, if you scroll through Facebook or Instagram you are likely to come across some. I also encourage you to download apps like BandsInTown which are giving updates on scheduled live streams, so you won’t miss out!
Some artists that I know who have done a live stream thus far are: Code Orange, Mat Kerekes (solo), TigersJaw (Thursday nights, Saturday nights, and Tuesdays for free), Oso Oso, Varials, Allen Stone, and many many more.
Event companies and record labels are doing them, too. Emo Nite has done a few of them on Instagram, NoSleep Records had multiple bands scheduled as well, and iHeart did a live stream with big name artists like Dave Grohl, Billie Joe Armstrong, and more.
Piano bars around the country have started doing them as well. As an ASU alumni, my favorite is LowKey Piano Bar in Tempe, AZ . They are a dueling piano bar that is live streaming every friday/saturday night from 9pm-11pm. As you know, dueling pianos are known for being raunchy, and LowKey certainly does not hold back, even on Facebook for the world to see. Check it out here!
If you are a musician, or have musician friends that want to stream live, here are some ways to do that. Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Twitch, Zoom, and StageIt.
Another interesting way that I’ve seen bands connecting with fans and friends is by doing Instagram Live Sessions. Some of them just go on and chat, a little more of a personal insight, as it feels like they are personally FaceTiming you, or that you are just hanging out around with the band. I love the personal element to this, as sometimes we forget that musicians are normal people.
Movements did a Q&A session featuring Patrick and Austin, they stayed for about an hour and answered any fan questions that they could. They mentioned that they’d like to do it again, and maybe even get the other band members involved. Austin also streams gaming on Twitch, which he always links on his Twitter account.
Varials did a live, where Sean, Mitch, and Mikey just kind of chatted with each other, and would respond to comments as well, but it wasn’t a formal Q&A session, just a very casual hang out with the band.
Bryan Garris from Knocked Loose did a Q&A over stories, although he did not do it over live (unless I missed it), but he did answer some fan questions and also shaved his head out of boredom lmao.
Crust Young (digital marketing manager) with connections to most of the bands mentioned, does an Instagram Live session called Legos with Crust. He goes live and builds different lego sets, and adds people to the live stream to interact with him while he builds. He had Patrick from Movements on one, and Sean from Varials on another, on his last one he had tattoo artist Noah Lockhart, and some fans from the chat join. I’m gonna be honest, I never thought I’d spend hours watching a grown man in a cowboy hat drink rootbeer and build legos, but I can honestly say I’m not mad about it. He also has sent money through Venmo to help people who cannot afford to buy meals during the pandemic, which is pretty amazing in my opinion.
Probably the most unique idea I’ve seen thus far has been from Fury in Few. Lead vocalist/guitarist Brayden called fans individually through Instagram to chat via video or phone call. I actually got on a call with him, since I did a song review for their newest single ‘Put the Thriller Down’ about a month ago, and wanted to chat with them for real! This was a really cool experience as Brayden was super chill, funny, and easygoing. It was very interesting to hear more about his music, where he’s from, and just have a very down-to-earth conversation with someone new. He thought it was very important to connect with people during the quarantine and having one-on-one connections with them, which I think is such an amazing gesture, and gives an opportunity to talk to so many new people! Fury In Few are also doing a Quarantine Session video series on their Instagram. In their first video they did a tour of their rehearsal space, and will be putting out many more videos in the future, so make sure to give them a follow.
Hope for the Day did a “Sip of Hope Coffee Talk” on March 29th featuring Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage. They live streamed on Instagram to engage in a stigma-free discussion about mental health. They do a ton of these live streams, so check out their Instagram to make sure you don’t miss them! It’s super important to talk about mental health during this crisis, remember to always take care of yourselves above anything else, and, to talk to a professional if you need help coping with the struggles of this epidemic, many counseling services are providing online options.
Donations to charities have also been a huge way that people are supporting each other during this unprecedented time. One example is Alan Ashby from Of Mice and Men posting about the Support + Feedinitiative for COVID-19, where you can help support LA’s plant based restaurants, first-responders, hospitals, and more by ordering online from one of the participating restaurants. The Conscious Cleanup organization will pick up the order and deliver it to your desired place of donation.
A pretty obvious idea is selling merch online, although many people are not able to support in this way right now, it is still an option for those who can, and want to support the artists whose tours got cancelled. Most band’s have their merch link in their social media bios.
Artists are also selling their creations online, since freelance work is at a standstill. Many photographers are selling prints, tattoo artists are selling flash sets, paintings and drawings are being posted all over Twitter and Instagram. This is such a big way to support our creators, if you are able to at this time. There are tons of artists all over social media, even if you can’t buy their art, make sure to share their content to spread the word!
Instagram challenges have also become a big source of positive energy in our feeds, as people are posting their “best” content. Photographers are being challenged to share their best live shot, musicians to share their best live video or photo.
Heart Attack Man did a stage dive challenge, where fans submit their best stage diving photo, and the winners will receive a ribbon.
Follow trains have also become a big trend, as a message is sent to 10 followers, and lists 5 accounts that people should follow. The success rate of gaining followers has been hit or miss, but it’s still fun to share, so that our creators are getting recognition.
Social Distancing Playlists seem to also be a huge hit, and are fun for anyone to make! This is an easy one for literally anyone to get involved, just add your favorite artists, and share! I personally have loved being introduced to so many new songs, artists, and even genres over the course of the last month.
Mayday Parade made an interactive Instagram Stories template where you list your favorite things about the band. Some of the prompts were favorite Mayday Parade album, favorite lyric, etc. These are always fun to make, share, and see what other people think!
I’ve never been a huge podcast person, but recently have been discovering so many music related podcasts! My favorite music related ones right now are The Cyber PR Music Podcast, and Women in Music.
I’m also a HUGE book nerd, and have finally gotten the time to crack open my collection. I collect musician memoirs, and have read quite a few. Here are my recommendations:
Scar Tissue by Anthony Keidis
The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx
Tommyland by Tommy Lee
The Dirt by Motley Crüe
Can I Say by Travis Barker
SLASH by Slash
Appetite for Destruction by Steven Adler
Fall to Pieces by Mary Foresberg Weiland (the wife of Scott Weiland) and Not Dead and Not For Sale by Scott Weiland.
Acid for the Children by Flea
I’m also reading, ‘All You Need to Know About the Music Business’ by Donald S. Passman, which is just interesting in general if you’re looking to get some more knowledge about the music industry.
Now, I know we’re all binging Netflix, so rockumentaries are also another huge guilty pleasure of mine. Here are recommendations of some of my favorite music documentaries (some are on Netflix, some are on Amazon Prime):
Back and Forth // Foo Fighters
Amy // Amy Winehouse
Fyre Music Festival
Woodstock
Hired Gun
The Dirt // Motley Crüe
Cobain: Montage of Heck // Kurt Cobain
Five Foot Two // Lady Gaga
DAVE // Lil Dicky (Hulu Series)
More That I Haven’t Watched Yet:
Miss Americana // Taylor Swift
In Wonder // Shawn Mendes
Everybody’s Everything // Lil Peep
Zappa // Frank Zappa
Echo In the Canyon
Leaving Neverland // Michael Jackson
And, many many more.
These are just a few of the many many ideas I’ve seen over social media. What are your favorite ideas? Just remember that in times like this it is art that brings us together. It is such an important time to share not only your own creations, but to support other artists and musicians by watching their live streams, listening to their playlists and albums, donating (if you can), or even just simply spreading the word. Social media is powerful, and we will get through this as a community if we step up and continue to support each other in all of these amazing ways.
Stay healthy, stay positive, we WILL get through this!