Coping with Isolation Through Music
The Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped my sister and bassist Kira Tecu from playing music. The 18-year-old has been finding ways to share our band, chillteens’s, music through social media and staying busy by practicing more.
On March 11, 2020 the world health organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. So, for the last 3 weeks, most of the world has been asked to stay at home and to avoid social gatherings. In Fredericton, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and any non-essential business have temporarily shut down.
With the local venues shutting down, and music festivals getting postponed, we’ve had all spring and summer shows cancelled. This however, hasn’t stopped us from playing shows. Last week, we played a set and live streamed it on Instagram. Our group usually consists of four members. Fortunately, we live together and are able to get creative as a duo.
During the performance on Instagram, Kira said it felt weird play to an empty room despite the people watching them.
“When we decided to livestream, it was really weird- it still is really weird- to lose that interaction with people. Especially us, who are used to going out and playing shows and playing with people and just being around a lot of people,” said my sister.
Our band had plans to play at several music festivals in the Maritimes. However, due to the social distancing laws, many festivals in the east coast have been getting cancelled or postponed. Kira says she’ll be missing out on some of her favorite festivals like Flourish Festival. For her, the festival holds much value in the music community in Fredericton.
“It’s really nice to see local musicians and local artists come together and it’s just a really fun time.”
For now, we’re focusing on recording an album we were planning on releasing this summer. Although most of our performing gigs have been cancelled, the recording project will continue but with a later release.
“We’re both taking this time to brainstorm and really make sure that what we’re doing is right and it gives us the opportunity to perfect what we wanted to do,” said my sister.
When she’s not practicing, writing, and recording music, Kira Listens to her records. Some of her favorites include New Brunswick artists like Grand Theft Bus, Julie Aube, Jon Mckiel, Motherhood and The Olympic Symphonium.
We also support other local musicians by watching their livestreams.
“It’s really nice to see the music that you love being performed live and it’s sad to not be able to go to these shows and see them in person. A live stream is still an interaction, and you’re still seeing them be themselves in real time. It’s nice to see that. It’s not like a music video or something like that. And you can interact with them, you can comment, and they can answer questions,” said Kira.
During this difficult time, we think it’s good to show support to the creative community online. We suggest streaming artists’ music on Apple Music or Spotify, and buying merchandise like t-shirts, vinyl, CDs, and cassettes.