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.
For the short-term (hopefully), DJ Times will be presenting the questionnaire responses from talented music-makers from all over the world. Here’s another installment from Europe – British melodic-house practitioner Tim Green!
What’s it like where you are? I live pretty central in the city, in North London about a 30-minute walk to Oxford Street. So the “ghost-town effect” here is really noticeable, feels very strange outside. But yes, myself and my girlfriend are locked down in our home as much as we can be. We are not sick in any way, but it’s just to minimize any risk for ourselves, and most importantly others.
Have you lost income-producing work? Yes, the gigs are the most impactful things I’ve lost, in terms of immediate income loss. In the world of DJing or any live performance, gig money is the most frequent and reliable, the bread and butter of income. I’ve had all of my gigs over the next two months cancelled so far. The immediate ones after that are still pending, if they can go ahead or not.
Are you doing anything now that can or will produce music-related income? As my studio is in my home, I am just being as productive as I can and writing new music. Although this won’t provide instant income, it’s maximizing my time now whilst in the studio and not on the road touring.
What are you doing now that’s ultimately constructive to your music life/career? Yeah, it’s really the long-term plan I’m focusing on. So I’m getting on with as much music writing as I can, which to be honest is always the way I like to work and think, as releasing music always has such a long lead-time.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve realized during this period of social distancing? I prefer to take note of the positives in these strange situations and not focus on the negatives. But I love hearing through friends and family the camaraderie that different individuals are showing, in supporting others – usually strangers – in any way possible that they can. Just shows that genuine acts of kindness do happen.
Have you considered doing anything online? Yes, of course, although not a live mix. I’m planning to do a live studio session, almost a Q&A session all-in-one. I have been planning to work with a good friend of mine Paul Nolan on his platform Make Your Transition (www.transition.studio) for a long while now. So we are planning to do something soon in this period. Will keep everyone posted about that once I have more information.
Any theme tunes recommended for the moment? Yes, more of an optimistic message, to my ears anyway… Pat Metheny Group’s “To the End of the World,” which is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists. Plus, it’s a tribute to [group keyboardist] Lyle Mays, who sadly passed away recently, strangely just before all the Coronavirus started to get out of hand. [You can find Green’s latest musical offerings here and here.]
Any advice on staying sane & relatively positive through this situation? Well, weirdly, I’m completely used to staying inside my home and studio for days on end, goes hand-in-hand with working on music non-stop. I think the main thing is I’m occupied all the time. Having lots of things to do, different things, whether it’s productive tasks, cooking food, or relaxing moments and periods. All a mixture of things to do can help keep the day interesting, as you jump from one thing to another, as many times as you like. That keeps me sane always, and in the case for my music, keeps me productive and inspired.
To check out more Life in Lockdown features, click here.
DJ Times Magazine is copyright © 2020 by DJ Publishing, Inc. www.djtimes.com
