Throwback Article: When the DJs Stopped the Music
An eerie silence greets Leonard as he walks into his restaurant. Once bustling with the rhythmic beats of chatter and live music, the now empty restaurant is almost alien to him. This apocalyptic-like scene plays out across every place in Goa, that offers live music.
The world is grappling with an ongoing pandemic that seems to have no end in sight. For all of us, the pandemic and ensuing lockdowns have been extremely stressful and nerve-wracking. We have turned to music as an escape and a way of drowning away our worries. But what about those who rely on making music to earn a living?
Music has always flowed in the bloodstream of every Goan. Live music performances have enthralled Goa from time immemorial. This once zestful scene is now in jeopardy. Goa's music industry has taken a massive blow, leaving many professionals grappling with the reality of being left with no job.
Akshay Naik, a playback singer, music composer and owner of Mahalasa Reco Studio, says that the industry has collapsed. "Live performances are still shut, just a handful of people, like me, are able to earn when people come to the studio to record their music. They mostly do it for personal satisfaction and dip into their own pockets to pay."
The pandemic has been quite "helpful" in wiping out musicians' schedules!
"Before the pandemic, schedules were packed, there were shows and practices every week", shares Euban Pereira, a drummer for the band Knight & Day. "With the lockdown came the cancellation of many shows and gigs. We can only hope for the situation to improve."
Yet for the unfortunate ones, switching professions has been the only way out of the smog. An established musician, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that many of them have had to dip into their savings in order to survive, turning to odd jobs like selling fish. Some have found a saving grace in their kitchens, cooking and delivering items such as pulaos, pickles, and other dishes, doing all they can to make ends meet.
On the other hand, Gary, of the DJ duo, Hypertraxx, and also a freelancing bass guitarist, has a more positive story to tell. Working as a DJ as well as with various bands, he's experienced both scenarios. "When the lockdown was first announced, back in 2020, I had just established a name for myself, and then everything had to stop. But it was a welcomed break as I could finally relax from my usually hectic schedule. We had a couple of online performances; when we first unlocked, us DJ duo were booked by clients for a number of gigs and performances."
However, the band front doesn't have a very rosy picture. "Due to restrictions imposed on weddings and gatherings, people preferred hiring a DJ who could offer everything they wanted. While well-known bands have managed to stay afloat, the smaller ones have taken a hit".
Amid all this uncertainty, one common thought each of them shares is that, beyond a doubt, music will never fade away. "Goa's musicians will come up with ways to reach out to people", concludes Euban.
So, for now, Leonard can only hold on to the hope that this dire situation will eventually breathe fine. He can look forward to the days when bands will once again pump-up crowds with their exhilarating performances and DJs will throw down mixes that keep everyone dancing until the rising sun reaches out across this land of rhythms.
Image Credits: pavbca.com
P.S: The above article was written as an intended piece for a magazine slated to be released in 2021. However, it never saw the light of day due to copyright issues, as claimed by the editors.
Comments
Post a Comment