When the world shuts down from a global pandemic, how do musicians continue to make music? They get creative. Or, better yet, stay creative. For these artists, being stuck at home was an opportunity to reflect and find new inspiration. MXL caught up with them to see how they spent their time and find out how they stayed motivated to create through such “interesting” times.
Adam Deitch
Drummer for Lettuce and Break Science, Producer and Educator – Denver, CO
As a touring musician, Adam Deitch was hardly ever at his own house. When concerts stopped, he got a real taste of “home life”. “Honestly, a break from touring full time was very much needed,” he says. He got a chance to cook real homemade meals and work on his basketball game. During his down time, he says, “I learned a whole lot about home recording from a couple really knowledgeable friends and began finally doing remote sessions for different artists.”
Nahima
Singer and Songwriter- Los Angeles, CA
Singer and songwriter Nahima described her experience in lockdown, saying “it’s been equally mixed with anxiety about the pandemic and a sort of forced relaxation and isolation. I’ve discovered that I’m definitely okay with myself and my thoughts and maybe I’m not as much of an ambivert as previously believed.” She kept her mind and body healthy by working out and brushing up on her French and Spanish, and even learned Korean. Nahima used her time to record and release a new song, and was able to strengthen the bond between friends from a distance. “My friendships, though not face to face, actually got deeper. I’m grateful to know that the bulk of my relationships were on a solid enough foundation that something as wild as a worldwide pandemic couldn’t even shake them!” she says.
Cruzu
Music Producer, Beatmaker, Songwriter, Content Creator – Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Dutch producer, beatmaker and songwriter Cruzu says of his extra time at home, “I actually liked it for some parts. Spending more time with my girlfriend, spending less time commuting, and having more time to work on my music at home.” In between more frequent workouts, he upgraded his home studio and worked remotely with artists in the US for an upcoming EP. Offering a positive takeaway from the pandemic, he says, “On a personal level, I feel like I became more self-reflecting and more self-conscious.”
Greg Savage
Producer, Sound Designer, Mentor- Northglenn, CO
For sound designer and composer Greg Savage, the pandemic didn’t shake up his game too much. “As a sound designer, I’ve been fortunate enough to work from home for quite some time. It’s a blessing and a curse,” he says. When he isn’t working on sound design or recording, he enjoys spending time with his family. One benefit of having everyone at home was being with his daughter. “My daughter inspires me a lot. Watching children grow up is an incredible experience,” says Savage.
Ken Fox
Recording Artist – Milford, PA
Americana artist Ken Fox was initially taken aback by his surplus of free time, admitting “It was strange. I’m always on the go, working a lot on various things, so being home every day was kind of surreal.” It was difficult for him to feel creative in the beginning. He says, “It felt wrong to be playing music during a time of such uncertainty. I lacked focus and clarity.” He spent time exercising and reading until he finally got back in the groove. After this experience, Ken realized what his time is worth and how much he was valued at certain places. “I rediscovered how much music meant to me. It became my number one focus and has remained since,” he says.
Adam Deitch
Nahima
Cruzu
Greg Savage
Ken Fox
Written by : Dan Cohn