Musicians have not been able to resume performing because of the pandemic, so some have taken this time to improvise and find other ways to enhance their skills.
Limited capacities in many venues and increased apprehension among people to attend poses a challenge to local musicians. However, some musicians are finding ways around COVID-19 to play in front of the citizens of Lethbridge.
Musicians are finding it hard to keep up with band members and face many issues along the way, as they put each other’s safety before the music.
For Donovan Martinez, a local musician, who plays in a band called “Beats Per Minute” or BPM, he has found different solutions.
The BPM lineup includes Malcolm Smith on rhythm guitarist, Kaleb Skylar on the bass, singer, Jeremy Fleet on drums and Donovan Martinez on lead guitarist.
“During the pandemic, we as a band have made five originals,” said Martinez.
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BPM has been together since July of 2019, but it all started when they took a class together at Chinook High School called Rock and Pop. All of the members were paired up with their teacher, Scott Davison, who thought of having the group members as a band, which significantly impacted the band’s formation.
Restrictions have taken a toll on many working-class musicians. However, some have seen this as an opportunity to make new music. BPM for example, has brought more original material to the table, compared to doing just covers.
It wasn’t just a toll on many bands. It has also affected many local pubs, such as Honkers Pub and Eatery, who had to make adjustments during COVID. Many pubs haven’t set up live entertainment in front of an audience due to risking the public’s health and safety.
Honkers have been around for 23 years and are well known for its live entertainment. And when COVID hit, it was a very different atmosphere from March until late September.
During the start of COVID, many pubs that have been known for their live entertainment are hurting from the loss of customers, as they operate at 50 per cent capacity.
“We’ve always been that kind of cheers bar, and based on COVID-19, we had the wind taken out of our sails”, said Vicky Vanden Hoek, owner and operator of Honkers Pub and Eatery.
Within Canada, there has been a lot of financial aid for local/touring musicians.
For example, the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), it has helped many locals and musicians in Canada.
Another aid for struggling musicians includes independent record stores like Young Turks, Ariella Record and ALTR, which have been putting together fundraisers like COVID-19 Music Relief Projection and promising to help match $10 million in donations music-related non-profits.
Music makers everywhere have risen to the challenge during COVID-19, providing emotional, financial and cultural escapes for quarantined populations.
