A look into the music community in the time of COVID-19
By Violet Bouwes-van Nood, ‘24
Music is all about connection, so what did musicians do during the time of the COVID-19, a time when connecting with others was so limited?
Top left: Jeffery Silverstien, top right: Madgesdiq, bottom left: Sophie Enloe, bottom right: Quarantine Happy Hour logo
“I think the first phase was just like acceptance,” said Jeffery Silverstein, a local Portland musician, and learning specialist at Catlin Gabel School (CGS). At the start of the pandemic-19, everything was unknown. Silverstein explains that he had to accept that things were different, that it was unknown how or when live music would happen.
As the pandemic made live music impossible, many musicians transitioned to online shows on platforms like Instagram live, and Facebook live. When asked how this experience was, Madgesdiq, local Portland musician, said:
“It’s really challenging because you have to really rely on bringing your own energy.”
In a traditional live performance the crowd can bring their energy, and a performer can bounce back their own energy from that. When performers are doing live streams, they are just performing for their phone or laptop. In addition, tech issues come with using the live streams, and the shows don’t look or sound how the musicians want.
That is not to say that there aren’t silver linings to online performances. Silverstein explained that live performances can be tiring for introverted people, so online performances are a great alternative. Anyone could play a show from wherever they are.
“I really think a lot about the accessibility piece of that too. A lot of venues are not set up for people with physical disabilities.” Explained Silverstein.
For example, if someone has epilepsy, concerts often have flashing lights so they can’t attend, so the live streams provide an excellent opportunity for them to watch concerts safely.
Even with all the benefits of online events, music is still very community-oriented and centered around connecting with others, which is lost without the in person aspect of music events.
For example, Sophie Enloe, a Portland musician got involved in the old-timey community in high school and met many people, including her husband. Through that community is how she joined the board of Bubbaville, a local non-profit.
Bubbaville initially started to help the Portland Old Time Music Gathering and now helps to support traditional music and dance in the Portland community. They provide funding for music events throughout the year, bring musicians from out of town to perform for schools, and of course, put on the Portland Old Time Music Gathering. But a lot of that has changed during the pandemic.
“It’s changed so much; a lot of things that we were working on, of course, got canceled or changed or suspended,” Enloe explained how Bubbaville has had to change over the time of the pandemic; they had to focus a lot of their energy on funding.
Musicians who relied on live music for an income were able to write proposals for projects they wanted to work on over COVID-19 for Bubbaville to fund. They also partnered with the Quarantine Happy Hour, an organization where a different person or group would perform on Facebook live every night for tips, and Bubbaville would help fund the tip jar.
Though musicians had live streams for one method of connection over the pandemic, there were still other ways they used as a method of contact.
Madgesdiq found a connection to his community through things besides music. He found a community through basketball as a basketball trainer. Through a guided meditation and affirmations class at 8 am on Sundays. And with yoga, he became a certified yoga instructor right as the pandemic started.
“I just use all the things that I love,” said Madgesdiq.
He also connected through music as well though, he and CEG, another Portland-based artist, performed at many marches and community events during the pandemic as well.
Another way musicians have been able to engage in the community is through online music lessons.
“A lot of giggy musicians I know, to fill the gap that is usually filled by performing, they started teaching a bit more,” Enloe said, going on to explain that she thinks that online lessons are here to stay after the pandemic as well. Online music lessons give the opportunity to teach lessons from all over the world and to attend classes from all over the world.
Even though the pandemic made some aspects of life very disconnected, it also managed to bring people together in unexpected ways.
“Everyone was dealing with the same exact set of circumstances; I think in that way, it brought people together.” Silverstein discussed how the pandemic made him feel more connected to venues, record labels, and other musicians worldwide. The pandemic put people in a situation where they had to be more comfortable reaching and communicating with others.
The pandemic provided unique opportunities and partnerships; for example, Silverstein was able to play at the Sou’wester Lodge in Seaview, Washington. It was safe for people to stay, and did a live stream from one of the rooms, which created a unique setting for an online performance.
With the significant transition that the pandemic caused for the world of music, what can other people do to support musicians, especially local musicians in Portland?
Firstly, if they have the means, a great way to support musicians is to buy stuff directly from them, whether it’s merch or buying albums.
Another way to support is attending shows. Currently, some musicians are starting to do live performances again. If somebody is burnt out from so many online events, they are a great option. Musicians are doing hybrid shows if someone doesn’t feel comfortable attending in-person shows. And there are still many online shows as well.
It’s also a great time to take online music lessons; as mentioned before, online classes provide an opportunity to get lessons from people worldwide. It gives you the comfort of learning music from your own home because learning new things can be vulnerable.
If someone is unable to spend money, there are other ways of support as well. Sharing music you like with your friends is a great option, or putting it on social media and tagging the artist.
“At the real baseline level, if you really love an artist, tell them,” said Silverstein. If there is music someone enjoys, they should reach out to the artist. Words of encouragement are great, especially in a time of isolation that the pandemic has created.
Looking at the ways the world of music has changed in the pandemic, it’s clear that music is still the same in the essence of what it is. Music has been such a lifeline during the pandemic for many people. It’s provided an escape during hard times and motivation when people have been unmotivated. It’s been a source of connection for people to find community in and a way to keep in touch with communities people were already a part of.
“Just from the way that music has been presented.” Madgesdiq shared the way that music has shifted over the past year. But the process of creation has stayed the same for him. Music hasn’t changed, the people haven’t changed, just the circumstances have changed.
Just like everybody else during this time, musicians have had to learn to pivot and try new things. But that has not changed the importance of music. Silverstein was asked how music helped him over the past year, he answered simply;
“It’s been everything.”