When the Coronavirus shut us down, clubs and festivals ceased, and everyone was essentially forced inside with no definitive end in sight, DJ Times wondered: How is our tribe coping? How are DJs getting by? So, we sent out our “Coronavirus Questionnaire” to DJ/producers from all musical genres to find out.
During the crisis, DJ Times will be presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s our latest installment, this time from Germany – Bavaria-based techno talent, Klaudia Gawlas.
What’s it like where you are? I’m living in the countryside in Bavaria. I guess it´s harder for people in big cities to stay in their apartments. We have a garden, so when the weather is nice, I can still go outside or even take a walk. My neighborhood is not very crowded. So this makes it possible for me to be outside. Makes it a bit easier after a long studio session. Most of the time, I do my usual work during the week, like checking promos, studio work, doing some office and playing music. Also, some normal things like cleaning windows or cleaning and reorganizing my studio at home. We have so much time for things we normally never have. I just try to do the best out of it.
What income-producing work have you lost? All my gigs of March and April were cancelled. During this month time, I would normally play many international gigs. Also, of course, the festival season is affected. I have very nice bookings this year like Tomorrowland, Extrema Outdoor, Loveland in Amsterdam, Nature One and many more. So we all hope this virus ends very soon.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? I am working on many tracks right now and hope to be able to release and play them as soon as possible. But there is no income at the moment for all of us… not only in the music industry. So many people are affected by the virus situation. That’s just crazy and I don’t even want to think about how long this will go on.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? To have time to produce and dive into the tracks is very constructive for me… not rushing from one weekend to the other one. Also, being able to go through all my vinyl and reorganize things… The last 10 years, I was touring so much, I never had time for non-priority things. So now I use this time.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? It doesn’t really surprise me, but I’ve realized how much I love to be onstage and that I miss celebrating with the people. To be connected through the music with so many unknown techno-lovers is amazing and I hope to be back onstage very soon. We also see how much we all need each other and how sad life is without friends and parties. I think the first party after this virus, I will have the gig of my life, for sure. So make sure you are there.
Are you doing anything online? For sure, streaming live on Facebook or Instagram, because that’s one option to stay in contact with all my lovely followers. It’s so nice we have social media. To see my friends playing somewhere touches my heart. I miss them all so much.
Any theme tunes recommended for the moment? I would not call it a theme tune, but I love to listen to Charlotte OC right now, especially “Colour My Heart.” This is music that calms me down in weird times like this.
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? Try to fill the time with useful things and work on your passion as much as it´s possible. Laugh as much as you can and be mindful with your surroundings. Cleaning always helps. Not only good for your mind, also good for your house.
To check out more Life in Lockdown features, click here.
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