tag:semusic.org,2005:/blogs/artist-catch-upsArtist Catch Ups2022-04-15T21:52:09+01:00Success Express Musicfalsetag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65880302021-03-29T17:53:26+01:002021-09-17T08:25:06+01:00Luke Carey - Artist Catchup<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/c1a434140a36b0b304cf4f9dac5a61d8ef9598a2/original/luke-cover-2020.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p>We’ve all had to do what we can to make it work. I can’t be stuck at home doing nothing, so I managed to pick up some bar work and play a few gigs via zoom! It’s definitely a different feeling to playing live in a venue but at least it’s some form of gig! </p>
<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p>It’s allowed me to think about my future as opposed to my present. It’s helped me realise ways in which I can work smarter in order to create a better career as a musician. I guess we’ll see how it all works out over the next couple of years! </p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </strong></p>
<p>Exercise. I know it’s annoying, but it has made such a difference. If its running, walking or kicking a ball around, keeping myself moving has been key to keeping myself better mentally </p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different? </strong></p>
<p>Thankfully I’ve been able to keep busy musically. I’ve written loads of songs since lockdown and even improved my production skills (not amazing but I’m getting there!) </p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent? </strong></p>
<p>I will definitely pick up from where I left off in terms of my own music however, I will also be trying to improve my production skills further. </p>
<p><strong>Are you hopeful for the future and if so why? </strong></p>
<p>I’m excited for the future! This break has made me understand how lucky I was to do what I did for a living and now that life is slowly returning to normal, I intend to work as hard as possible to keep getting better and better. </p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p>Songs, lots of them, and gigs. I’m sure that’s most musicians answer to this question! I’ll always be out gigging. </p>
<p><strong><em>Latest single:</em></strong><a contents="&nbsp;https://open.spotify.com/track/7v1t9jPzaw6LumJmOz9dZJ?si=j1nl-YlbTpehnZ8LWjLyOQ&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7v1t9jPzaw6LumJmOz9dZJ?si=j1nl-YlbTpehnZ8LWjLyOQ" target="_blank"> https://open.spotify.com/track/7v1t9jPzaw6LumJmOz9dZJ?si=j1nl-YlbTpehnZ8LWjLyOQ </a></p>
<p><em><strong>Latest Music Video:</strong></em></p>
<p> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="TfhhFmJTUaI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/TfhhFmJTUaI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TfhhFmJTUaI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> </p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65700272021-03-10T18:11:22+00:002022-02-04T07:59:45+00:00Edmund Jeffery - Artist Catchups<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/d2bc9bac2dc1b6905df621812ea2e47d93ed3eff/original/0016653042-10.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p><em>This has been an incredibly tough year. I think that everyone has felt the effects of COVID 19 in one way or other. Any performance/ in person work has disappeared and I have found myself spending a lot of time on Zoom (like many others). I count myself extremely lucky to have been able to continue some of my work online. Most of this work is with hospital trust charities, providing singing sessions for people with respiratory conditions. It has been more important than ever to keep these sessions running through the pandemic, as the many of the people who attend these sessions may have only left the house a handful of times since March 2020! It’s been a pleasure to put on some online concerts to raise money for these charities, to make sure that we can still offer the Singing for Lung Health sessions going forward. </em></p>
<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p><em>The pandemic has forced me to make a lot of life changes, including positive changes. The pandemic forced me to work a lot less and made me realise which parts of my work had more value to my wellbeing and that of others. I hope that this change is here to stay and I hope that I can be driven by a sense of positivity in my work, rather than money and the image of success. </em></p>
<p><em>I have been forced to live a life of less luxury, with less eating out, going to the theatre, going to the pub and less impulse buying! These are all things that I enjoy A LOT. I wouldn’t have changed this part of my life, but I will try and be more careful with my eating/ drinking/spending habits beyond the pandemic as I was just greedy before! </em></p>
<p><em>The reality is, most independent artists earn money from a ‘side hustle’ and input these earnings into recording/releasing and promoting that material. I have had to pause recording and releasing for now, which is a shame as this process normally inspires new material, creating a lovely cycle of write-record-release-write. </em></p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically?</strong> </p>
<p><em>My ‘Wellbeing saver’ during the pandemic has been my allotment. I’ve always enjoyed spending time sowing seeds and enjoying produce a few months later. It has been a great motivation driver and a good bit of exercise for me. It’s amazing how you can lose a whole day on the plot and be happy about that. </em></p>
<p><em>The ‘singing for breathing’ work I’m involved in has also been great for my own wellbeing. The sessions have a great focus on breath, mindfulness and are fun and relaxing at the same time. Even though I work hard running these sessions, I always close the ‘zoom- room’ with a smile on my face. </em></p>
<p><em>We rescued a cat recently. I have never had a pet in my life before (other than fish). It took a long time for me to agree to have a cat in my life, but I am converted! Twinkle (the cat) can lift any bad mood! </em></p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different?</strong> </p>
<p><em>All of the musical projects that I have continued through the pandemic have been music for health and wellbeing. I have struggled to focus on writing, but I have managed to get a few songs in progress and look forward to recording these when it’s possible. </em></p>
<p><em>I’ve been more inspired to spend time in my kitchen! I’ve taken a few baking courses and taken the time I have to focus on hobbies that I hope I to continue with when life returns to some state of normal. You can’t beat fresh bread! </em></p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent? </strong></p>
<p><em>I can see there being big changes in the future. My ‘positive self’ thinks there will be a craving for gatherings, gigs, mass celebration but this could be while yet. I am prepared for a cautious few years, where everyone, including myself will think twice before making a decision or commitment. </em></p>
<p><em>I hope that people will want to return to live shows post pandemic. This is one part of my life that I can’t wait to resume. I can’t wait to perform (in real life, not to a screen). Although working on zoom saves me time and travel, I really miss seeing people, shaking someone’s hand and getting to the pub in between ☺ </em></p>
<p><strong>Are you hopeful for the future and if so why? </strong></p>
<p>Yes, I think we will be much more grateful for simple freedom that we took for granted pre- pandemic. Donald Trump is out of office and we have amazing scientists working so hard to get us back to ‘normal’. As I said above, I hope that a craving for the freedom we have missed will lead to a rise in community spirit. </p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p><em>In 2021 I hope to have some live shows from the summer onwards. I’m looking forward to testing out some new songs that I will record (when I have funds to do so).</em></p>
<p><a contents="Check out Edmund's latest music." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oB2KPDedPCDCsrxAuGzbG?si=ePVr4ElcR_uAkZQj802Lrg" target="_blank">Check out Edmund's latest music.</a></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="wBJ80_sQbwM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/wBJ80_sQbwM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wBJ80_sQbwM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65628572021-03-02T17:36:13+00:002021-03-02T17:38:18+00:00Crawford Mack - Artist Catchup<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/9204c358a7fe0918bcf3dbf22512333753c1c0ca/original/88301459-3438221756204353-7862187576654823424-n.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p><em>I was really lucky in that my folksI welcomed me back home to Scotland during the first lockdown which helped a lot with saving up for a few months to build up a bit of a cushion. I definitely live a lot more frugally as a result of the pandemic and probably didn’t realise how much of my income I spent going out to see gigs and staying involved with the scene. Luckily my diet is inexpensive to maintain because I don’t eat meat or dairy and have never really minded just seeing food as fuel for the last few years. </em></p>
<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p><em>Of course, to be honest it has thrown all of my career plans and what I was hoping to achieve over the last year up in the air. Where I would have hoped to attract a live agent, representation and bookings through gigging I now just have to keep releasing and hope it can help me stay in peoples’ minds when things come back to normal. It’s not a bad thing to have some fo the extra time for a bit of perspective but if anything the pressure to put out more material has made me a bit busier than touring an album may have made me. </em></p>
<p><em>As I mentioned beef it has probably accelerated a period of me realising that I can live on a lot less and be happy going out a bit less too, one change I’ve really enjoyed is just seeing friends to go for a walk rather than having to have an accompanying activity that costs money such as drinking, lunch or even getting coffee. It’s great to organise being social without feeling the need for an arbitrary excuse. </em></p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </strong></p>
<p><em>Mainly through a lot of exercise, which gives a lot of structure to a day because I’ve got to plan my meals around it to get the most out of it. The gyms closing in November is probably the closest I’ve come to snapping because going there helped me feel like there was progression in my life away from just making music and it is of course really important to have another big hobby away from what is now my job. </em></p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different?</strong> </p>
<p><em>I’m really lucky that one of my close friends, Luke Maher, has access to a really good space to record in that is a short walk from where I live. We worked on my February release ‘The Art of Losing You’ there and are working on a host of other tracks, the next of which will be an April release called ‘Hope Street’. </em></p>
<p><em>Getting to spend a bit more time on individual tracks is a new phenomenon for me that I’m really enjoying, until now the process of making and album or EP has always felt rushed due to the time and budget constraints but working in this way allows me to indulge my curiosity a bit more and play around with arrangements to take tracks away from my original guitar parts. </em></p>
<p><em>It’s a privilege that releasing an album last year has given me because I’m now comfortable that there’s a body of work for people to dig into if they enjoy what I’ve been doing. I’d also say that working on individual tracks allows me to explore different sound worlds without feeling as though I have to commit to one for the course of an entire record. </em></p>
<p><em>Live streaming is of course a bit new as well, it can be enjoyable and it’s nice to get feedback from people when they say that it gives them something to look forward to, which I think is what I enjoy most about it. In terms of a playing experience it doesn’t compare to gigging in a room however.</em> </p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent?</strong> </p>
<p><em>I think the process of spending more time on individual tracks is something I’ll keep up as long as the schedules of those I work with and my own finances will allow for, even when I end up making another album. </em></p>
<p><em>I’m hoping things will change because I’ll be able to generate more interest in what I’m doing. It feels like I’ve been building up to what was supposed to be a big push for the best part of a decade and the pandemic felt like having the rug pulled from under me, hopefully I can get some of the plans back on track. But what is more important is that we are all healthy and conscientious of each others needs.</em> </p>
<p><strong>Are you hopeful for the future and if so why?</strong> </p>
<p><em>I am, I’m hopeful that as a wider society this can have served as a period of reflection and that we value our environment and one another more. I’m also hopeful that the ability to enjoy art and culture will be appreciated and taken more seriously, similar to in countries such as France and Germany. </em></p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p><em>A lot of releases and experimentation. There are so many aspects of Indie, Rock, Jazz, Freak Folk, Chamber and Baroque-Pop that I’m really excited to experiment with using the songs I’ve written through lockdown. I’m roughly aiming at releasing a track every six weeks so please do look out for them and follow my profile on your preferred streaming service if you’re reading this!</em></p>
<p>Check out on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CKMgHCNRQ5bQTV0Nx4LuM?si=v6INNGIMQQefp48MfBxDlA" target="_blank">Spotify</a></p>
<p>Check out online: <a contents="https://linktr.ee/crawfordmack" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://linktr.ee/crawfordmack" target="_blank">https://linktr.ee/crawfordmack</a></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-xWPnyK7zPg" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/-xWPnyK7zPg/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-xWPnyK7zPg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65594822021-02-26T16:48:23+00:002022-04-15T21:52:09+01:00Grace Solero - Artist Catchups<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/db8232c874d6cccbdd707366b61d5acdb932629e/original/gracew-solero-image.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></span></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I went back into teaching singing. I created a new dedicated website to promote my voice lessons <a contents="https://voicelessonslondon.com&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://voicelessonslondon.com" target="_blank">https://voicelessonslondon.com </a></span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I received some financial support from Help Musicians https://www.helpmusicians.org.uk and Musicians’ Union <a contents="https://musiciansunion.org.uk" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://musiciansunion.org.uk" target="_blank">https://musiciansunion.org.uk</a> </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">Also as a self-employed musician I was able to access the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and got the SEISS grant. </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">As a full-time musician I’m used to gigging/busking/touring on a regular basis; that’s my lifestyle and also my source of income. All that stopped since first lockdown in March 2020. </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I started playing online shows with my guitarist and fans were really supportive. I had never considered playing online shows before the pandemic struck. </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I’ve always been a big believer in the mind/body/spirit connection (Mens sana in corpore sano) </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I’ve been cooking healthy meals, I kept up my Yoga practice and took daily walks to my local parks. I find being in nature extremely nurturing! </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I met with friends according to Government guidance throughout the different phases of this pandemic. Human relationships and doing things we enjoy in tough times like these, are key to feel positive, joyful and to react better to all the grief in and around us. In my case playing guitar, piano and singing keeps me balanced as I can express my emotions. I reckon everyone would benefit from a hobby, something to help let feelings out! </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">Yes, I kept pretty busy with music projects. You can find lots of content/news on the website. With my band we were lucky as we had just finished recording the new album when the pandemic struck. So we were able to have it mixed and mastered remotely. That was a new experience for us as we would normally physically attend the sessions in the studio. </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">We also worked with a video editor friend remotely, and completed two music videos that had been recorded before the pandemic. We released the first 2 singles and official videos. We’re now in the process of releasing more new music. Our other project with BJ Cole (The Twilight Zone) is also moving forward as we’re mixing remotely. </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I will be happy to go back to gigging and touring with my band. We’re looking forward to gigs with a real crowd and we’re planning a release party for the new album. </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">Also I can’t wait to resume singing lessons in person… that will be really nice! As for busking I’m reevaluating the amount of time and energy I spend busking versus teaching. </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">Are you hopeful for the future and if so why? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">I’m hopeful about the future. I’m usually pretty resourceful and an optimist by nature. Hopefully we’ve all learned lessons from this tragic pandemic and had a chance to rethink about life in general and what really matters. </span></em></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_regular">Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </span></strong></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">More new singles/ videos and our new album ‘Metamorphosis’! Keep up to date on <a contents="http://gracesolero.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://gracesolero.com" target="_blank">http://gracesolero.com</a> </span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font_regular">Music link- Spotify <a contents="https://open.spotify.com/artist/76XgQHV9F2kPotwu0gbhZr&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/76XgQHV9F2kPotwu0gbhZr" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/artist/76XgQHV9F2kPotwu0gbhZr </a></span></em></p>
<p><em>Video link ‘Lucid Dream’</em></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="YJqgh9x6fW8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/YJqgh9x6fW8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJqgh9x6fW8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65566462021-02-23T19:35:30+00:002021-02-23T19:37:02+00:00The Ha'Pennies - Artist Catchup<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/8023097751fc6b5358d6a7f7ddc8b8b645298696/original/94138168-2925731047519782-3198971068891004928-o.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p>Ben: <em>For me personally yes, it has forced some major life changes. I now live in Hamburg and have been since November. Strangely though the move is not pandemic related, although I wouldn’t have been able to have moved if Covid hadn’t struck so I suppose it is kind of related. However, this isn’t a permanent move and I will be back in May as will the band! </em></p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different? </strong></p>
<p><em>I’ve found myself on furlough for the last year so it has given me an abnormal amount of time to focus on the band and writing new music. The thought of going back to work now actually makes me feel a bit sick, but sadly I know the time will soon come. I’ve written more songs than I could imagine (finished and unfinished) and have really delved into the world of home recording, it has also given me time to get to grips on how to market our music and has enabled me to learn programmes and software that I wouldn’t have had time to do otherwise. I’m also doing a couple of live videos, of a couple of my new songs, from Hamburg in the coming weeks so keep your eyes and ears peeled on our socials! </em></p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </strong></p>
<p>Will: <em>Well, to be honest, it’s not always been easy but there a couple of things that I’ve been doing to tame the black dog and they seem to be working. Staying off the booze has been a big one. There has been a few occasions where I cut a little bit too loose (parole video shoot would be one of those!) but, for the most part 2020 was a very sober year...comparatively at least. </em></p>
<p><em>Secondly, even though gyms have been closed, it’s so important to exercise. I now have multiple apps nudging me to get up and work out. It can be tough though, especially when you’re feeling low but, if you can force yourself to do it, you always feel better afterwards. </em></p>
<p><em>It sounds a lot easier than it is but they’ve definitely help me - that being said, I’ve been treated for depression in the past and if you are really struggling there is no shame in getting in touch with your GP. </em></p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent? </strong></p>
<p><em>Well, firstly the world needs to have a bloody big blow out...like the purge but for parties instead of murder where all will be forgotten the next day. </em></p>
<p><em>Once we get that out the way, we can rebuild and I think the key will be to find a good balance between healthy living and the very occasional ‘sesh’. </em></p>
<p><em>One thing is for sure, I can’t wait to see the boys again and get back to what we love doing the most – gigs! and that does usually involve a few beers (#YOLO). </em></p>
<p><strong>Are you hopeful for the future and if so why? </strong></p>
<p>Joe: <em>I'm definitely more hopeful for the future now with the vaccine rollout and how that has given musicians the 'light at the end of the tunnel' so to speak. I think we're still a while off from going back to any sense of normality but I'm definitely feeling more positive about things in general. </em></p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p><em>I'm sure we'll continue to work with the guys from <a contents='"Below the Surface"' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/BelowTheSurface" target="_blank">"Below the Surface"</a> on bringing new content. We've already done an <a contents="interview&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/v8zm6GhGSN0" target="_blank">interview </a>with them to promote the new E.P, as well as a 'live video gig' which you can check out on <a contents="YouTube." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/8daQCBQw9mI" target="_blank">YouTube.</a> The work that they produce is top-notch and they've already promoted some of the boys <a contents="new material." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/jVFMKGr6m5A" target="_blank">new material.</a> We also want to get back to recording as soon as possible. The plan is to self produce and record our own material in Sam’s drum studio. We want to try something a bit different for these new recordings and we’re really looking forward to starting this project. </em></p>
<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p>Sam: <em>We’re all lucky enough to have ‘normal’ jobs that we’ve all been able to rely on through this pretty pants time. Admittedly mine has reduced right down, and one of the lads has been put on furlough, but we’ve all been able to make ends meet. We’re a small London based band however, so you’ve got to feel for those mid-sized bands out there that have given up all other income to be full-time musicians. With no gigs, no tours and the streaming industry’s full consent to paying artists absolute peanuts, it’s pretty bleak out there. Our heart goes out to them.</em></p>
<p><em><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8daQCBQw9mI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8daQCBQw9mI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8daQCBQw9mI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></em></p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65529872021-02-19T00:00:00+00:002022-04-15T21:09:12+01:00Rob Green - Artist Catch-ups<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/8c5b8705de7b28b27cd7cfcdfaaf3a7c6bb4e55a/original/dsc-7240.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p>I<em>’m lucky enough to have been able to take part in a number of online festivals last year and I also compose music for musical theatre so I have been able to create music from my home studio. Along with creating from home I’ve also taken advantage of the time to develop my music skills - including teaching myself piano and music theory online. I can’t say it’s all been a breeze and without challenge. But looking back a year on I’m very lucky to not have suffered too greatly from a financial perspective as an artist. </em></p>
<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p><em>YES! One hundred percent. I have really had to develop a robust and detailed mental health regime. Which marks the first time ever I’ve focused so intently on my mental health. I can’t believe how relentlessly I worked before; between touring and rehearsing and composing and travelling. When you really want to achieve something you will do anything to keep momentum going. But when I was finally forced to stop I realised that my career didn’t need to have inherent suffering in it in order to lead to success. I had to build solid positive self care routines that allow me to ENJOY the journey and feel like its something I am taking and not something that is taking me! </em></p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </strong></p>
<p><em>Physically I have taken a lot of walks and runs out in the countryside near my home here in Leeds. I put time limits on all my social media apps - which has changed my relationship to my socials (and my phone in general) for the better. I meditate once in the morning and just before bed. These three changes have transformed my life in a way I can’t describe. It is the one emerging factor from this challenging year that I am incredibly grateful for. </em></p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different? </strong></p>
<p><em>In some senses yes, and in others no! Haha! I released a single at the start of lockdown - Life Goes On - and had people send in footage to help make the music video - we received over 200 videos in just a few weeks. The single was played on BBC Radio and featured so many incredible people and was the highlight of lockdown for me. </em></p>
<p><em>In other ways I had been planning to release more music but decided not to; which is always a difficult decision to make. My good friend Ryley Wilson (go check him out on Insta <a contents="@ryleykwilson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/ryleykwilson/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank">@ryleykwilson</a>) and I set each other a challenge in January to post a musical video everyday for 30 days in a #30dayfeelgood music challenge. Something that previously would have stressed me out greatly and been very daunting. I guess it has kind of been a test of my new mental health management skills. But so far so good! Its day Twenty Two today and so far I’m really enjoying it! </em></p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent?</strong> </p>
<p><em>I have realised that I want to focus my career more directly on sharing my truthful experiences and supporting music and stories that bring us all closer together as people and communities. This has always been a thread in my songwriting and live shows and now I want to continue this line through multiple mediums in addition to music. I started a production company in the name of my Grandmother; Eudora, who first put me on the coffee table and made me sing to her. I hope to build something that brings lift up untold narratives and perspectives. Starting with my own; I’m going to be throwing myself whole heartedly into everything I do and avoid the temptation to pre-emptively limit myself. I sincerely hope that change is permanent. Wish me luck!</em> </p>
<p><strong>Are you hopeful for the future and if so why? </strong></p>
<p><em>Howard Lindsay said "an optimist is a person who believes the future is uncertain". I am an eternal optimist. Just as unexpectedly as this period arrived, it can go, and then we will probably face newer challenges. The aim is not to remove all challenges, the aim is to grow from them and not carry that past so heavy in your heart that you cannot appreciate the present or welcome a future. Life is for living. That’s where I’m at anyway! Ha! </em></p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p><em>New music, new gigs and lots of collaborations. I can’t wait to share some of the projects I have been working on. Follow me <a contents="@robgreenmusic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/robgreenmusic/?hl=en" target="_blank">@robgreenmusic</a> on instagram and twitter for updates! </em></p>
<p><strong>WEBSITE: </strong></p>
<p><a contents="robgreenmusic.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.robgreenmusic.com" target="_blank">robgreenmusic.com </a></p>
<p><strong>MUSIC LINK: </strong></p>
<p><a contents="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0df2imDDwdkE9vkDAkbslb?si=N569j-xRS_SGyIc8BMNZ4Q&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0df2imDDwdkE9vkDAkbslb?si=N569j-xRS_SGyIc8BMNZ4Q" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/artist/0df2imDDwdkE9vkDAkbslb?si=N569j-xRS_SGyIc8BMNZ4Q </a></p>
<p><strong>VIDEO LINK: </strong><em>Life Goes On</em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="FEX5n7Ksdkc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/FEX5n7Ksdkc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FEX5n7Ksdkc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="380" width="520" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Success Express Musictag:semusic.org,2005:Post/65482302021-02-14T00:00:00+00:002022-04-02T20:43:43+01:00Louise Golbey - Artist Catch Up<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/145635/e21362158275415f27ec693eeedf221b1d691f35/original/louise-golbey-1-b-w-by-tor-hills.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
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<p><strong>Such an awful year, with artists and musicians unable to work during the pandemic, how have you stayed afloat financially? </strong></p>
<p><em>I was very worried at first as a big chunk of my income is from gigs (plus I miss performing so much!). But with Universal Credit and also bits of freelance remote recording work I have been ok (thank god). Plus I think the fact that I am not going out for meals and drinks or spending money on tubes etc helps!! I also have started teaching French online (finally using my degree!) which I am really grateful I have been able to do. Longterm , it is hard to know how to plan and what I should be priotrising though…I’m hoping gigs will be back soon. But this year is looking quite bleak on that front.. anyway fingers crossed!! </em></p>
<p><strong>Has the pandemic forced you to make life changes? And would you have made them anyway? </strong></p>
<p><em>Yes it has definitely made some changes, firstly I have had to move 3 times in the last year and although it was not my decision / planned - I have now ended up in a nicer area of London and in a friend’s lovely studio flat. So almost feel like it has worked out for a reason you know?. And as mentioned above, I wouldn’t have thought about teaching French if it wasn’t fo this, but feel incredibly grateful I had that skill in the bag to be able to make somethingout of it. I wouldn’t have had the time or energy to have done that in normal life but I have been enjoying doing it so far,. But another couple of good things have come out of it…my Songwriter’s podcast (where I interview top UK songwriters) - which although we had started originally in 2019 BC (Before Covid) - it developed and blossomed during the first lockdown. Recording remotely (as opposed to organising a venue, date, travelling etc), and securing guests was easier (people were more free and up for it). And now we are in association with The Ivors Academy and PRS for Music M Magazine and working on our second series (trying to get funding) but have a couple of great guests lined up already. </em></p>
<p><em>I am very grateful as well that I already had recording equipment at home and have been able to carry on writing etc. have done more remote recording and writing sessions. I am also working with Rob Davis now (Kylie Minogue, Fragma, Spiller, Enrique Iglesias, Rachel Stevens etc) after he was a guest on my podcast) which wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the podcast… </em></p>
<p><em>Plus I am also now in charge of his social media accounts - so doing a bit of freelance work for his manager. </em></p>
<p><em>And although I have done recording session work before - remotely and studio wise.. I have really been pushing that more and have even done some French tracks for sync etc…So that was something I have always wanted to do more of anyway - so that has been another good outcome from having the time and equipment to do more. </em></p>
<p><strong>Wellbeing during the past year has been vital. Any tips for how you have kept healthy mentally and physically? </strong></p>
<p><em>Yep, I have had some very very low points this year. I also got made redundant from my part-time dayjob as the office did did not reopen and I was already furloughed. I have felt very lost with thinking about my general life choices, gig cancellations, and of course it was very stressful moving several times for various reasons. </em></p>
<p><em>And I still wonder whether I should make decisions more longterm work wise but I also really would hope things will be back to normal soon.. </em></p>
<p><em>I have managed to keep up my physical exercise which is good. In the summer going for lots of runs and walks and online workouts etc. in fact this time round my mum and I do a 10am online zoom workout every day and it has meant I have seen / spoken to her more than I have in any other year! It is really nice </em></p>
<p><em>Mentally- staying creative has been so great - and also staying connected with friends virtually or arranging walks with friends whenever possible. But also it is fine to have low days where I have felt unmotivated, we cant make ourselves feel guilty for that.</em></p>
<p><strong>Have you managed to keep busy with your music projects? Have you tried anything new or different? </strong></p>
<p><em>Yes, I released song and video last summer which I did remotely. And tried to keepputting content up. Remote collbaborations and split screen videos. Plus when things were eased a bit I was able to get into the studio. But my album has definitely been delayed because of it. But I am still writing and also writing for sync too.. I have definitely been busy! </em></p>
<p><strong>How do you see your future? Will you resume post pandemic as before, or will changes be permanent? </strong></p>
<p><em>I dont know how to see my future to be honest, although I dont think I have ever been able to see my future as my life has never had an obvious structure… I obviously am hopeful that I will be gigging again (I was lucky to have a few gigs September and October before Lockdown 2). So yes I am hopeful! </em></p>
<p><em>But at the moment it is very uncertain when gigs will be back. But when they are - I presume that I will be wanting to go back to gigging as much as possible, those few gigs I had felt magical to be singing in the same room as my musicians again and in front of an actual audience again! - thank you again for that gig at The Bedford btw. That was my only originals gig since March last year. Performing live is and always has been a big part of who I am and what I do / love. </em></p>
<p><em>I imagine that the French teaching will continue but maybe I will do less to fit around the other stuff which will come back. And I also hope that the remote recording work continues…. We shall see!</em></p>
<p><strong>Lastly, what can we look out for from you musically in 2021? </strong></p>
<p><em>I’m still working on the album and will release another single soon. Plus I have a couple more tracks coming out with Rob Davis and another collaboration. I am also working on a French album for sync and library music which may get released later this year. </em></p>
<p><strong>Check out Louise's Music: </strong></p>
<p><em>Different</em>:<strong> </strong><a contents="https://open.spotify.com/track/6YA2Ak2bux0LopmeyuF6oc?si=ZeQcKPJJTHScTALlnM0lpg&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6YA2Ak2bux0LopmeyuF6oc?si=ZeQcKPJJTHScTALlnM0lpg" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/track/6YA2Ak2bux0LopmeyuF6oc?si=ZeQcKPJJTHScTALlnM0lpg </a></p>
<p><strong>Video: </strong></p>
<p><em>Scarlet Woman:</em> </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="aoLv9C_pDhM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/aoLv9C_pDhM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aoLv9C_pDhM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="280" width="500" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Success Express Music