We are living through unprecedented times.

As the widespread lockdown continues and the majority of the world practices social distancing and self-isolation, a lot of us are taking the time to pause, reflect and connect – whether that’s with ourselves, our peers or our communities. We spoke to 16 artists, including Shabaka Hutchings, Hudson Mohawke, object blue and Riz Ahmed, about their changing relationship with fans, the challenges they’ve encountered and how they’re staying creative right now.

Shabaka Hutchings

Where are you staying?

At home in London.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers?

I try to post a video on Instagram each day (if I feel up to it) as part of my Myth Science series. I like the idea of presenting little snapshots of my practice sessions so my fans can see what I’m up to. I like seeing my peers share videos of them working on stuff. Sometimes I’ll feel lethargic and not inspired to play at all and I might watch a video by someone which makes me pick up my horn and get to work. I hope that my videos give this feeling to someone too.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration?

I’ve developed a new bond with my speakers. I listen to so much music on the road through headphones that revisiting music aloud with my system is an absolute joy and I’m discovering hidden depths to albums that I thought I knew well.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

There’s a constant threat of inertia and that sinking feeling of not wanting to do anything. Our valiant NHS workers don’t have the luxury of seeing this time as time off so I don’t think I should. I need to give myself a pep talk every once in a while. Usually, when that talk comes it’s just time to switch tasks to something I find more in line with my current temperament.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

Everything will change. Anything that doesn’t needs to be studied carefully.

Hudson Mohawke

Where are you staying?

Home in Los Angeles. I may go back to Scotland once things aren’t so locked down.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers?

Yes, posting nudes, feet pics and Carole Baskin-related content. Tweeting a bunch of garbage as usual.

Do you feel stifled right now?

Truthfully, in terms of my day-to-day, I’m not ‘out n about’ all that much anyway, so not a huge amount has changed for me personally. I actually feel more connected than usual. This could be a Revenge of the Hermits situation going on, people who are already adapted to this lifestyle. I saw Rustie just resurfaced and he’s even more of a hermit than me, so there’s definitely something going on.

This is perhaps the first time we’ve all experienced a true halt in our lifetime. Are you taking this time to replenish?

In a weird way, it’s sort of refreshing for me because I took an extended break from touring when I got sober a few years ago. I’m reconnecting with a lot of other people I used to see all the time now that everyone’s streaming. I think being forced to literally shut down for a bit and take stock of things in your life can only be good for your own mental wellbeing long term, provided the financial fallout of all this actually gets figured out, and provided we’re not all actually dead by summer.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

Trying to wipe with just one sheet.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

I hope so. It does seem like a kind of once in a lifetime type scenario that we’re going through collectively and it’s clearly gonna have an emotional impact on us all. Hopeful me wants to believe it will make people a little more grateful, and hopefully take less for granted in the future. We’re also gonna see some incredible parties once we get through this.

Jessy Lanza

Where are you staying?

Currently we are in Gallup, New Mexico, in a hotel. We’re driving from New York to get to my partner’s family home in California where we have a place to stay.

How have you adapted your creativity in a completely new context?

It’s been a whirlwind the past two weeks so I haven’t had time to do anything creative just yet. My European tour was cancelled very abruptly due to the travel restrictions so I flew back to my apartment in New York where our lease was ending and had to immediately pack up and leave. Once I’m settled in California I’m really excited to make music.

Has it prompted you to think differently about the relationship between audience and artist?

It’s become clear that the ability to tour is not always possible so supporting artists by buying music and merchandise is crucial.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

I hope as a society it gives us some perspective on the fragility of comfort and convenience we expect in our day to day lives. It’s so important to reflect on that and never take it for granted.

object blue

Where are you staying?

Stamford Hill, London, in our flatshare with my wife and two friends.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers? If so, how?

Four days ago I began posting daily photos and recipes of what I cooked, because it’s important to get excited – and share that excitement, maybe incite some motivation – to eat well at home. Cooking is a creative process, and also crucial to your health. It’s been keeping me sane. I went on Instagram Live with fellow producer DJ Pépé, who’s under lockdown in Valencia, and it was really lovely.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? If not, do you feel stifled right now? 

I haven’t felt inspired, but not exactly stifled either. I feel… numb, dull. I sleep 10 hours a night and take three-hour naps every other day on top of that (I’ve never been able to sleep this much in my life). I’m remembering how true Zen Buddhism is in my life, that to live occupied by a hypothetical future makes the present frustratingly boring. Today I bought tulips, their pink and white bloom shining in a blue vase in our kitchen. We need beauty now more than ever.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

The hopeful side of me thinks this will lead to mass dissent from the status quo. We are seeing clearly what sort of work adds societal value, some of which is a matter of life and death: medicine, education, welfare, agriculture, construction, unconditional right to shelter… and what sort of work is inessential: profiteering, landlordism, luxury commodities, fast fashion. I was glad to see the furor against that Imagine video. I hope we come out on the other side with less – better yet, zero – respect for billionaires and celebrities.

Yxng Bane

Are you maintaining contact with your fans?

I’ve maintained a relationship with the fans how I usually do, through social media. I’m on Instagram Live a lot more, which is a good way to stay in touch and boost morale.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? 

Yep, an Instagram Live I did where I was being a dance coach. I’d like to think I was doing alright but I was more inspired by the fans reaction… it went viral lol.

Are you taking this time to restore, replenish?

I actually felt replenished since my trip to Africa last month! But yes, absolutely. I’m just using this time to get that extra charge, find inspiration and just chill – which is rare for me.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

The main challenge I’ve encountered is not going out! Not being able to head out spontaneously and go to the studio, etc… very much annoying but so necessary right now. I’m really starting to appreciate the small things, like fresh air.

Ollie Judge, Squid

Where are you staying?

I am in my flat with my girlfriend finally watching The Wire. Anton is at his parents in Norfolk building a chicken run. Louis is in the flat below Harry from Giant Swan playing Resident Evil 4. Arthur is in Cornwall doing yoga with his girlfriend’s mum and Laurie is lockdowned with his flatmates.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers? If so, how?

I’ve got a lot more time to speak to people on Twitter which I actually really enjoy. Anton also realised that our tour cancellation post was the most “liked” thing we’d ever had on our Facebook. He said, “Hey, have you realised that the most liked thing we’ve ever done on Facebook is telling people we’re not going on tour? Great.”

How have you adapted your creativity in a completely new context?

We all Skyped earlier because Anton and Arthur are in other cities while the rest of us are in Bristol. We’ve never been forced to write music apart from each other so we were talking about ways to do that. Anton came up with the idea for us to each record something and send it to one member to mess around with how they please. Kind of like pass the parcel, but more like pass the WAV file.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

Financial uncertainty is the big one for bands and artists at the moment. It’s going to be hard to make up the cash we were supposed to make over the next few months from gigs. The government needs to do something for the self-employed. It’s always upsetting to see how much they disregard the people who make the UK one of the most exciting exporters of art.

Riz Ahmed

Where are you staying?

I’m staying home! #StayTheFuckHome

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? If not, do you feel stifled right now? 

In the abstract it is inspiring to know we are all feeling such similar things, and are all more connected than ever despite being more isolated. The idea of the planet stopping us in our tracks to think about what we’ve done – it has a weird poetic justice about it. But the day-to-day is stifling creativity for me, personally. I’m an extrovert and like to work things out in dialogue with others. The sadness of cancelled tours and the foggy horizon makes it hard to concentrate.

What have you learned about yourself?

Love is Blind is a good TV show.

Have you adapted your creativity in a completely new context?

Some of it, yes. Let’s see how it all unfolds but right now it feels like any creativity that doesn’t engage in some way with this reality is just entertainment, or distraction. That has its place, but it’s not the highest calling of what we can do at this time as artists. Ignoring this feels weird. But it also feels important to not overload with this one looming crisis, 24/7.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

Yes. Our migration to online living is complete and it will remain. Governments with sweeping surveillance powers and stricter borders will also remain. But the argument for universal basic income and proper welfare and healthcare provision will strengthen. Ironically being given basic living support from governments will also strengthen their argument for more power.

Bethany Cosentino, Best Coast

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers? If so, how? 

I’m staying engaged on my social media platforms with fans. I started a weekly quarantine radio show called ‘Bethline’ where I chat with fans and have a call-in style hotline where they can ask me questions. Also a lot of FaceTiming with friends and family.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? 

I’m not wildly creative right now, which I know is OK. This isn’t a creative retreat – I have to keep telling myself that. I just feel like I need to let myself feel however I’m going to feel on any given day. There’s no right way to do this. Just getting through the day is my main goal at the moment.

This is perhaps the first time we’ve all experienced a true halt in our fast society in our lifetime. Are you taking this time to restore? 

I’m trying to. I literally just wrote an entire album’s worth of songs about learning to accept things for what they are, so this is the ultimate test for me. I can’t control what is happening, I know that. All I can do is control my reaction to it.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment? 

I hope so! I feel like I’m seeing humans engage with one another in a much more empathetic way, and I hope we are able to keep that feeling of unity intact when we resume normal life again. I know I will strive to do that.

L C Y

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time? 

Writing lists, exercising and microdosing acid are my ways of coping at the moment. I’m also really blessed to be isolating with housemates and girlfriend.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? 

Just finding inspiration in the people that I live with. They make music too and I’m planning to collaborate with everyone – something that surprisingly hasn’t happened yet because of clashes in schedule.

How have you adapted your creativity in a completely new context?

The time is allowing me to learn how to use new equipment floating around my house, which will eventually help my live setup. I’m trying to learn every bit of software and hardware I can to make the time useful! I’m also making clothes.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

I really hope this will have everyone thinking with the community in mind, as the last week or two has shown that it’s possible. I’m also hoping it means more government funding worldwide for health services and our beautiful NHS. Maybe everyone – especially the Tory government – can start treating key workers with some fucking respect.

Tommy Cash

Where are you staying?

I’m staying in Tallinn, Estonia. My home, my batcave.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans?

No, not really, I have been kind of withdrawing and focusing on my creative discipline, but I am thinking of checking in with my fans, it is a tough time…

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time? 

Yes, it is called ‘ignoring responsibly’. I’ve used this technique all my life but here it becomes important. Just stay in your bubble and do your thing, while also being aware of the crucial things – info that helps you and other people stay safe.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? If not, do you feel stifled right now? 

Well, inspiration is a weird thing, no one knows when and where it comes from. I will always remember how Marina Abramović said that you can’t press yourself to do art. The only positive thing now is that we actually have a moment for ourselves. The chaos has paused the clock and given us time to create the space for inspiration.

This is perhaps the first time we’ve all experienced a true halt in our fast society in our lifetime. Are you taking this time to restore?

We are all having a reality check. And we have to respect it.

33EMYBW, SVBCVLT

Has this situation prompted you to think differently about the relationship between audience and artist?

我现在无比期待一场真正的演出,去面对观众,看他们跳舞!真实的现场体验是不可代替的,我觉得线上直播太糟糕了。

I can’t wait for a real performance, one that enables me to face the audience and watch them dancing! The live experience is irreplaceable. To me, online live streaming is terrible.

This is perhaps the first time we’ve all experienced a true halt in our fast, ultra-capitalist society in our lifetime. Are you taking this time to replenish?

我不知道这次流行病什么时候结束,也不知道是不是会经历的最后一场灾难,我会更多关心我的家人朋友,保护好我爱的人和我自己。

I have no idea when the coronavirus pandemic will end, or if it is the last catastrophe that I will experience in my life. I will care more about my family and friends and protect my loved ones and myself.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

目前为止很多的音乐节和演出取消、计划延迟,原来的 都突然消失了。我正在学习如何在没有 的情况下工作。

Until now, many festivals and performances have been either cancelled or postponed, therefore all the deadlines are suddenly gone. I’m learning how to keep my work motivations without deadlines.

Ana Perrote, Hinds

Where are you staying?

Hi! We are all staying at our respective houses in Madrid. It’s currently illegal to go out.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans?

We are trying. I think our best idea was to make tutorials – we asked fans what songs they wanted us to show them how to play, and we edited every instrument so everyone could play them. If we stay active, learning and creating, we can see a bit of a bright side to this madness.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? 

I’ve learned that I’m strong and that I love my house. This may sound frivolous, but with Hinds we have spent pretty much four years touring. I’ve always wanted extra time to paint and to be with my boyfriend.

Have you seen new perspectives?

These times are very hard for people with health problems (physical or mental) and for those who are close to them, but those of us that are locked down but healthy aren’t living the worst situation we could. This is not a war. We have food and the internet.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

I hope so. I hope people learn how to take care of each other, and mainly how to take care of the environment. Now no one can deny the direct link between humans and climate change. I hope we do things better when this ends.

Luz

Where are you staying?

At home in Berlin with my two cats, August and Junio.

Are you maintaining an open dialogue with your fans and peers? If so, how?

At the moment, I’m prioritising sharing information with my peers and followers about the best practices and resources to navigate the coronavirus crisis, exchanging educational and mutual aid support tools, and working with others on community-led and collective actions.

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time?

This is a personal question and what works for me won’t necessarily work for someone else. Having said that, what is helping me the most right now is to organise, to work together with friends and people within our communities to establish a support system for the most vulnerable. Trying to regulate my sleep has been helping a lot as well. I’m also trying to take regular walks on my own to enjoy the arrival of the sun (right in time for quarantine!)

What have you learned about yourself?

Not much that I didn’t already know. In times of crisis or not, knowledge sharing, solidarity, community and collective organising are very important to me. I’ve learned that anxiety is very real and has a huge impact on my ability to be creative and to work efficiently. That slowing down on social media, trying to improve my sleep and taking regular walks has been doing me good and makes me feel much better mentally.

Has this situation prompted you to think differently about the relationship between audience and artist?

When not travelling for gigs, to teach workshops or to take part in panel discussions, I mostly work from home so that isn’t too much of a big change for me. I’m lucky to have a nice setup so I can work on music and spend a lot of time “plotting” and organising raves.

Ghostpoet

Where are you staying?

Indoors. Everyone else should be too.

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time?

Exercise. Booze. In that order and a fair few hours apart.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? 

I’ve learned that being creative in this current moment isn’t at the top of my agenda right now and shouldn’t be. I’m trying to process what’s going on and taking it day by day.

This is perhaps the first time we’ve all experienced a true halt in our fast, ultra-capitalist society in our lifetime. Are you taking this time to restore, replenish?

I’m just trying to work out how to pay next month’s bills to be honest. There is something in life becoming more simplified overnight though, I’m realising how little we really need to live day-to-day…

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

Staying positive, keeping motivated.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

One can only hope, things have to change that’s for sure. Society can’t continue in its current form, surely?

Gigi Masin

Where are you staying?

At home in Venice. Outside spring is starting to show, there is little traffic and the sky is a beautiful blue.

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time? 

Staying at home in good weather is difficult. But these days must be lived with patience and tenacity. Even standing by the window, looking at the sky, only takes a few minutes…

Have you adapted your art in a completely new context?

It’s the other way around for me. I don’t have a studio where I play, I use a part of the house, so my daily life is not totally different. I miss travelling and concerts, seeing and meeting new people. Travelling and playing balances my desire for novelty and curiosity, so staying at home is an interruption to my life.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

I’d like to find a magic wand that makes money appear when I need it.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

Sometimes a nice slap is better than a medicine. I would like people to understand how wonderfully primitive our life still is and how close we are to nature. This will not happen because in the face of fear, man’s reaction is to forget, not learn.

Hodge

Have you developed any coping strategies during this time?

Going through my phone calendar and deleting all the events I was meant to play was essential. After that, just trying not to stare at my phone all day, cooking loads and reading more books. This week I learned to bake sourdough bread and I’ve been working out loads. I’m having a lot of fun coming up with work out methods at home, like filling my backpack full of tins or doing squats in my garden with a plank of wood and bags of soil either side.

Do you feel stifled right now?

I don’t actually. I’m missing going out so much and can’t wait to get back on a dancefloor, so that longing is giving me the drive to write loads of fun writing music that I wanna hear, stuff that makes me wanna dance.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

Not having an income is absolutely fucked. That’s causing a lot of anxiety to be honest.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

After seeing the pollution reduction, cities looking to house the homeless populations and hearing so many conversations happening around universal basic income, you’d hope the knock on effect would be that these more humanitarian lines of discussion will carry on. If governments can do more in a time of need, and they actually do it, surely we can’t go back?

Lorenzo Senni

Where are you staying?

I’m in Milan, one of the most affected areas in Italy and in the world. It’s a tragic situation and I’ve been locked down for two weeks.

Have you encountered any unexpected inspiration? If not, do you feel stifled right now? What have you learnt about yourself?

I’m back on studying drums. My teacher when I was young didn’t allow me to rent a drum-kit for the first six months of his class. I remember him asking me, ‘Do you sleep at night Lorenzo?’ I obviously said yes, a bit confused by his question. He replied: ‘Amazing! Practice on your pillow until I tell you not to’. That’s what I’m doing now and I don’t bother the neighbours.

How have you adapted your creativity/art in a completely new context?

I may sound naive but I want to believe this is only a temporary situation. I still come to the studio and work here. I want to fight this virus and I hate to romanticise this quarantine.

Has it prompted you to think differently about the relationship between audience and artist?

I refuse to think that the future will be online gigs.

What’s the main challenge that you’ve encountered?

See all my plans falling apart.

Do you think we’ll see lasting change from this unprecedented moment?

It’s too soon to say something and now I think day by day. In case of need, I can adapt.

COMMENTS

[fbcomments title=""]