The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on our everyday lives. Stay-at-home orders are requiring everyone to remain within their own four walls while influencing how we work, play, and shop.
Because we are prohibited from meeting in large groups, the opportunity for entertainment outside of the home is virtually nonexistent. Currently, there are no sports, movie theaters, or live concerts.
The inability to play concerts is a major setback for musicians. While bands make money selling their music, they earn the most on the road. In fact, some bands make more than 50 times more with touring than with record sales, so getting out there and collecting cash is a must. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus, the industry is at a standstill. Ticket sales are falling, and until restrictions are lifted, musicians will have to find alternative ways to spend their time and make money.
Luckily, there are several things that artists can do during the pandemic to prepare for the road when the time comes.
Experiment with New Material
With limited opportunities to leave the house, now is a good time to learn a new instrument and add to your ensemble. You may not be able to get together in the garage, but there are many instruments that you can learn in your house or apartment without bothering the neighbors. Stick with the acoustic guitar, turn down the volume on a digital keyboard, or bone up on your percussion skills with quiet digital drum pads.
The lyric writing process can be tough for many musicians, so take this time to write and revise some new songs. You could even use the feeling of isolation or the excitement of eventually getting outside as a muse. This may also be a great time to use social media to share your new skills and songs with fans.
Promoting your music online is especially important during this time, so the fans won’t forget about you and the passion you share. Go on YouTube or Instagram and show off your latest tunes. Interact with the fans who like your posts and ask for their honest opinions. Just remember to post in moderation so the fans don’t hit the “unsubscribe” button. Posting once or twice per week is sufficient. Play your cards right, and you could come out of the coronavirus lockdown with a full album of material.
Make Money for the Next Tour
Many musicians may believe that a lack of touring is going to put them in the poorhouse, and while those fears are valid, there are other ways that you can make cash during the pandemic. Make some extra money now, and you could have the funds you need to start touring right out of the gate. If you are good at what you do, you could share your knowledge by tutoring others online, and teaching them how to play an instrument from anywhere.
There are many other side jobs that you can do that will also leave spare time to practice your craft. Right now, there are still plenty of opportunities for drivers of restaurants and grocery stores. You could also earn money assisting others by helping the elderly with yard work or families with babysitting. Keep in mind that when you do look for jobs, you need to be careful of what you post online. You don’t want anything on there to offend potential employers, and you also don’t want to overshare so you don’t fall prey to cyberattacks.
If you are really strapped for cash and the side jobs just aren’t cutting it, then there are many resources for musicians that could help. If you are a career musician, you might be eligible for grants and monetary assistance. You can also apply for unemployment or other hardship funding. Search online for what may be available in your state.
Fix up the Van
If you want to hit the ground running when the world gets back to normal, then you need to make sure that your tour vehicle is ready to go. Even during the pandemic, mechanics are considered an “essential business,” so they are still open and ready to help with break replacements and engine checks. If your vehicle doesn’t have any major issues, there are still many general maintenance tasks that you can do on your own.
If you plan on traveling long distances, check the air pressure in your tires along with your oil and transmission fluids. Properly inflated tires will last longer, and you do not want to break down on the way to a gig. This is also a good time to make sure your door locks are working properly and that you have a way of properly storing your gear so it cannot be easily seen and stolen while on tour. Finally, get the van properly insured if you haven’t already.
As a last tip, make sure to stay healthy during these strange times. You want to be ready to go when the time is right, so go to the doctor for a checkup to make sure that you are set for the long trip. Drink a lot of water and avoid fast food so you can be in the best shape possible. Right now, your health is the most important thing.
Some days, it may seem like we may never be able to leave our homes again, but the time will come, and when it does, you want to be ready. Use this time wisely, and you could be the first band back in action.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee