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 entry, this time from a famous English university town, the Cambridge-based, house-music maker Henry Hacking.
What’s it like where you are? Here in Cambridge, England, I’m with my wife and two girls, aged 2 and 3. We’re in lockdown and our days are basically spent trying to keep them as entertained as possible to save our sanity.
Have you lost important gigs, or income-producing work? Yes, to both, unfortunately, but we are all in this together. In 2019, I had some very successful tours in China, plus Asia is a regular stomping ground for my diary – so, essentially since January, the gigs starting getting cancelled.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? With the recent success of my track “New Love” (featuring Holly Brewer), it’s been essential to have some heavy follow-ups. Thankfully, a number of tracks have been wrapped up, but my time at home is really working on new ideas, and I’m keeping in very close contact with my production circle.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? Social media! I’ve always had a pretty decent regular connection with friends and fans online. Right now, I’m just trying to keep my socials feeds full of laughter, to help keep spirits high for the viewers.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? How it’s connecting and bringing families, friends and communities closer together. I’ve seen so many positive posts of people using various apps to chat to loved ones, plus incredible people doing their bit to help the extremely vulnerable.
Have you seen any DJ video streams that impressed you? Some great DJ streams are out there, which is nice thing for any DJ to do. If it helps just one person feel good, then it’s worth doing. Massive respect to DJ EZ for doing a 24-hour live stream, again for no reason other than lifting spirits.
Any theme tunes recommended for the moment? I’ve always loved a bit of The Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? Just keep talking to your friends and family, stay as healthy as you can, and please pay attention to the advice given.
To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.
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