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 this period, DJ Times will continue presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s our latest entry, this time from Tennessee, the Nashville-based producer/musician/songwriter (and Kygo’s go-to collaborator), Petey Martin.
How did you spend most of your pandemic time? Making music and reading “Harry Potter.”
Have things changed over time? Still making music, but I finished “Harry Potter.”
Did you lose important gigs, or income-producing work? Nope, I’ve stayed just as busy with writing and producing. Feels like the lack of touring has made artists more collaborative and open to ideas than ever before.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? I sure hope so.
Have you learned anything in the downtime? I eat too much when I’m bored.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? My team and I have been working really hard to continue to place songs I’ve written and produced for other people. We’ve begun releasing music of my own starting with my debut single, “Come Back Home,” featuring Lauren Daigle. We are working on a few other collaborations at the moment – we’re heating up! I think quarantine has given us a great opportunity to release a bunch of music, so we can hit the ground running once touring becomes possible.
What’s in your studio? Laptop, [Shure] SM7 microphone, Guild D-55 acoustic guitar, Gibson Les Paul electric guitar, and some speakers I built.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? I can save $8,000 flying to Sweden now and just Zoom with my favorite writers there – and get equally good songs.
Have you done anything online recently? Nothing yet. Really just focused on the music at the moment, but I bet there will be something to come sooner than later.
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? See your family and friends, read, exercise, and make too much music.
To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.
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