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 the Left Coast, the L.A.-based electronic duo Vindata (aka Branden Ratcliff and Jared Poythress).
How did you spend most of your pandemic time? We spent most of our time taking online classes/workshops, doing at-home fitness workouts, playing video games, and prepping our new album’s release.
Have things changed over time? Yeah, at the beginning of the pandemic, we felt like there wasn’t a light at the end of the tunnel. But now, we’ve become accustomed to the changes and believe we can all pull through this. The pandemic has also affected our approach to production. Lately, we’ve been more focused on making more at-home listening tracks than club bangers.
Did you lose important gigs, or income-producing work? All gigs pretty much ceased, which is tough because gigging is a big part of our project. But, we were already going through a transition when the pandemic started anyway, so we were able to manage.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? Have you learned anything in the downtime? We’re still working with other acts on some side productions. Lately, we’ve been using our downtime to learn more about digital marketing, video editing, and cryptocurrency.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? For example, any releases during this period? Our main focus this entire time has been on our upcoming debut album, …With Opened Eyes, from which we launched the first two singles, “Good 4 Me” and “Union,” recently. Besides that, we’ve released our remix for Not the Father’s “Black Beats,” and a single called, “Let It Go” via Lowly.
What’s in your studio? Pretty simple setup: Yamaha HS5 monitors, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 interface, AKG P120 mic, KRK Rokit 5 G4 monitors and Akai MPK249 keyboard controller.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? How easily distracted a lot of us were before the pandemic. Vain, superficial shit that didn’t really matter has become exposed and feels pointless. Other things we all took for granted are now starting to get the respect and appreciation they deserve.
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? Meditation has been key for us. We’ve also been trying to get enough exercise every week, eating cleaner, and staying in touch with loved ones. Those few things have been instrumental in keeping us balanced and grounded.
To check out more Life in Lockdown interviews, click here.
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