BRENTON NEWCOMB
Staff Writer
There is no doubt that quarantine has hit the art community hard; it has shaken up and changed the way artists interact and share with fans.
Musicians in particular are having a difficult time in an industry that relies heavily on performing live and engaging with fans.
I spoke with Dan Calderone, lead guitarist of Eerie Shores, to get the scoop on how his group is managing during these turbulent times.
What are your general feelings on COVID-19 and its effect on the music industry?
“To be blunt, the whole music industry is frustrated right now. Our careers depend on social gatherings and large crowds, and spring is the prime touring season before summer festivals kick off, so there’s a lot of people without work. My band has had to cancel many shows and can’t get into the studio, so it’s been a tough pill to swallow. But, if everyone does their part, then we’ll get through it.”
What strategies have Eerie Shores been using, or what have you been doing differently since the quarantine as a band?
“We’re trying to look at the positives as best we can, and believe it or not, a lot of good can come out of this. Luckily, half of the band lives together in Fredonia, so we’re writing music every day. We figure we might as well use this time to prepare for our next album release. We have a process now of sticking with a song and really refining a demo version of it until it’s finished. Then, we can take that to the studio. It’s also important to remain active on social media, so we’ve been showcasing some of our progress. It’s rare that you’re forced to stay home indefinitely. So, smart artists will use this time wisely to keep creating.”
What have you seen or what are some examples of what other artists are doing in order to promote their music and artistry during quarantine?
“The biggest thing right now are live streams. They’re a great way to connect with fans one-on-one. We’ve done a few so far. I’ve seen many artists do small performances and Q & A’s on either their account or a marketing agency’s account. I’ve also seen full band performances on Zoom; those are sweet.”
In your opinion, what do you think that artists — primarily musicians — should be doing to continue to expand and grow their audience?
“Basically, using social media to give an inside look at an artist’s life is important; fans want to see what makes you human. So, if they don’t have shows or music to promote, artists are trying to build relationships with fans; show things like how you’re getting through quarantine, with cooking, hiking, writing music, etc.”
Do you think the pandemic will affect the business model of the music industry permanently?
“That’s a really tough question. I think overall, no. Business will return to normal once the quarantine lifts (if it ever does). But what I think will happen is artists and managers will see the new power behind social media promotion. Live streams are going to be a monumental promotional tool, more than before. DIY artists especially will realize how efficiently they can promote by themselves, without marketers. So overall, the uses of social media [is] going to expand and become more prevalent than ever before.”
As bands continue to find ways to push their content out there during quarantine, it is changing the business models artists use to engage with fans.
Live streams present an interesting opportunity for musicians to take advantage of during this time, as well as using social media to keep fans engaged.