Smithers singer-songwriter Mark Perry has released a single with a COVID-19 theme.
But not only is the content of song, titled 含羞草研究社淔latten out the Curve,含羞草研究社� coronavirus-related, the entire production was a sign of the times.
Colin Maskell recorded Perry含羞草研究社檚 guitar and vocal tracks at Old Highway Studios in Smithers. Then they sent the tracks off to Jordy Walker at Stackwall Sound Productions in Whitehorse Yukon who laid down drums, bass and accordion and mastered the recording.
That含羞草研究社檚 when local dance instructor Monica Kapelar got involved and suggested a video.
含羞草研究社淪he含羞草研究社檚 funny, and she has all these friends in odd places, like former students of hers, even in Japan,含羞草研究社� Perry said.
Soon, videos were streaming in from all over the world. Perry said it was tricky to piece together, but his daughter Mip (aka Marie Perry) was up to the task.
含羞草研究社淪he含羞草研究社檚 a very creative person and she含羞草研究社檚 very musical so she kind of figured out how to edit on the ones (first beat) so it was kind of in time, most of it,含羞草研究社� he said.
The video was first released on Facebook April 6 and Perry was amazed by how it took off.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 not a Facebook person, but there含羞草研究社檚 views and there含羞草研究社檚 people reached and people are sharing like crazy, he said on the morning of April 8. 含羞草研究社淩ight now, we含羞草研究社檙e over 40,000 people reached. In a lot of ways, it含羞草研究社檚 fairly insane, but there含羞草研究社檚 also views and shares.含羞草研究社�
Sandra Smith, from Plaid People Music, Perry含羞草研究社檚 booking agency, said in the first 48 hours the Facebook post had 20,000 views and 700 shares.
Subsequently, a release on Youtube on April 9 has garnered hundreds of views.
He said the inspiration came from Dr. Bonnie Henry含羞草研究社檚 daily press conferences.
含羞草研究社淭he phrase, flatten the curve or flatten out the curve, we含羞草研究社檙e hearing it all the time,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 always with us, so I just did it for some fun. It含羞草研究社檚 pretty light, but it含羞草研究社檚 a serious subject.含羞草研究社�
Also a serious subject is the livelihood of musicians. With music festivals being cancelled and music venues shut down everywhere, remotely-executed projects such as 含羞草研究社淔latten out the Curve含羞草研究社� might be the only creative outlet for artists for the foreseeable future.
含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檝e lost a few gigs,含羞草研究社� Perry said. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e got my fingers crossed, but I含羞草研究社檓 not optimistic. We have an Alberta fall tour lined up. They say they含羞草研究社檙e holding on to the hope, but I含羞草研究社檓 not going to be shocked or anything.含羞草研究社�
Although disappointed, Perry, a retired railroad worker is not concerned about himself so much as the artists who rely financially on touring.
含羞草研究社淭he people I含羞草研究社檓 worried about are the guys who are just counting on it,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淢usicians who do it for a living, there含羞草研究社檚 not a lot of money out there, I just hope that they survive.含羞草研究社�
It is unclear whether or how musicians will quality for federal and provincial wage subsidies and emergency response benefits, but legislation is evolving and that may be clarified this week when Parliament votes on the Emergency Wage Subsidy bill.
editor@interior-news.com
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