As the unprecedented global pandemic COVID-19 has caused a sudden upheaval in our daily lives, the music industry has quickly united to fill the much-needed role of not only entertaining, but of becoming a source of comfort, joy, and inspiration. We all know music has the power to unite and this challenging time yields no exception.
As the cancellation of festivals, tours, one-off dates, video shoots, press events, and more quickly rolled in, we as an industry had to adapt not only the way we do business, but also the way we support our community, partners, and music fans around the world.
Radio Stations across the country are having their on-air talent and jocks set up home studios to broadcast remotely, record labels have adapted quickly to video conference calls and virtual promo tours, and artists have been more active than ever on social media determined to maintain a direct connection with their fans.
Like many other businesses, our company quickly put together a creative action plan for our artists and clients which has been very effective in continuing to market and promote music during this time while also providing support and entertainment to fans. We’re encouraging them to focus on 3 pillars – CONNECT, CREATE & CAUSE.
Below are examples of each, along with what our artists, clients and friends have been doing.
CONNECT
Maintain a strong connection with your fans and hopefully welcome new ones. Surprise them with live performances on your social media accounts or partner with various radio stations to create virtual events. Share a new playlist, a cover song or inspirational message. We all know that staying home is essential, but not easy. You can help provide relief or entertainment during this very challenging time.
Andy Grammer is spreading gratitude, love and encouragement on his sites most notably with this video of “Don’t Give Up On Me" thanking those on the front lines. He’s also entertained us with various live performances using Facebook Live Stream and shared new music.
Andy’s dad, Red Grammer, is a Grammy nominated Children’s singer. He has been sharing fantastic content on his Facebook and YouTube pages. We are big fans of Red Grammer. His message of positivity and unity is one that all of us need and can appreciate right now.
Soul crooner Paul Loren is hosting “The Leisure Lounge” every Monday night at 8 PM EST on his Instagram page. He also performed as part of the UnCancelled Music Festival online on April 2nd which previously included performances by Betty Who, Grace Weber, VINCINT and more. Also Paul recently wrote and posted a new song titled “We’ll Be Together again,” a song focused on hope and the importance of togetherness during this unprecedented time of darkness and isolation.
Country artist Rayne Johnson has been entertaining his fans through various performances on Facebook for radio stations across the country. He’s been playing his debut hit single “Front Seat” along with a new unreleased song, “Same Boat”, which has relatable lyrics to what we’re all experiencing right now. Entercom and Radio.com are airing an exclusive Rayne Johnson performance this week alongside a superstar list of performers including One Republic, Twenty One Pilots, Travis Barker, and The Black Keys.
Independent pop artist, HARIZ, started a TikTok series where he posts a cover song a day starting at ‘A’ and working his way through the alphabet. HARIZ also did an Instagram live performance with WVHT and is preparing to release his new single, “I Got You”.
Leslie Odom Jr. reunited with the original cast of Broadway’s Hamilton on Zoom to help John Krasinski surprise a 9-year-old whose birthday tickets to the show were cancelled when Broadway had to go dark.
Classical crossover artist Jay Dref shared a performance with Live in the Vineyard. He also released a new single and video “Drown” which focuses on the need to look out for one another during times like these.
CREATE
Use this time to focus on projects you’ve been meaning to start up or those you’ve put on hold. Maybe reach out to an artist you’ve been hoping to collaborate with. They likely have some extra time now. Use the solitude of this moment to your advantage. Reflect, write, record.
Death Cab for Cutie front man Ben Gibbard shared a new song he wrote for his home state of Washington titled, “Life in Quarantine.” Gibbard also started a daily livestream, Live From Home, which benefits local organizations on the front line of the fight against COVID-19.
Pop singer-songwriter, Livvia, has been posting 21 days of LIVV-ing on her Instagram page. Some highlights include a live songwriting session with Thomas Sturges and a choreography lesson with Giuseppe Giofrè.
Singer, songwriter and keyboardist, Todd Alsup released a happy reinvention of the 1973 Spinners’ Motown classic, “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”. He’s also finishing up an original track about his beloved city, “Manhattan”.
Pete Muller is preparing to launch the campaign for his new single, “Not Your Man,” next month. He’s been keeping busy in his home studio virtually collaborating with artist friends and also recorded a new song, “Spaces”. A song about slowing down and focusing on what’s important.
18-year-old Emmanuelle Sasson submitted a performance of her new single “Away From Me” for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. NPR offered some great advice to musicians on how to record submissions remotely in light of the current pandemic.
CAUSE
Now is a great time to use your voice and platform to support social causes and organizations that are most meaningful to you. Show your appreciation to the heroes on the front lines and support those in your community and around the country by donating your time or promoting charities that can help those in need.
Rock band, WE THE KINGS, took to Twitter to support Spotify’s Covid-19 Music Relief campaign.
Kyle Meagher performed for our friends at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and their Children’s Hospital in Dallas last week over skype and provided some much needed entertainment for patients while We Three created pre-recorded positive messages and content to share with staff and patients with the Foundation’s partner hospitals around the country.
Musicians On Call volunteer Dylan Rockoff submitted a cover of Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are The Best” for #MOCHeals, a collaborated playlist available to patients or anyone who may feel isolated, lonely or just in the need of a pick-me-up as a result of COVID-19. Conan O’Brien retweeted the playlist!
Another charity we support is MusiCares, the affiliated charity of The Recording Academy. Their COVID-19 Relief fund is working to help our peers in the music community that have been affected by the pandemic. For more information or to donate visit www.grammy.com/musicares.
We will be donating 50% of proceeds from the sale of our Lakeside Living Co. T-Shirt to a COVID-19 related charity for the entirety of 2020.
Visit the Lakeside Store to get yours today.
Whether you’re a developing artist or a global superstar there are countless ways for you to further your career and most importantly lend your support during this crisis. It is amazing to see the music community at large once again adapting and rallying together to uplift, inform, entertain, and support the country in countless ways. Stay safe, healthy, be kind to others, and we will get through this together!
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