Smithers singer-songwriter Mark Perry has released a single with a COVID-19 theme.
But not only is the content of song, titled 害羞草研究所淔latten out the Curve,害羞草研究所� coronavirus-related, the entire production was a sign of the times.
Colin Maskell recorded Perry害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 when local dance instructor Monica Kapelar got involved and suggested a video.
害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 funny, and she has all these friends in odd places, like former students of hers, even in Japan,害羞草研究所� 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.
害羞草研究所淪he害羞草研究所檚 a very creative person and she害羞草研究所檚 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,害羞草研究所� he said.
The video was first released on Facebook April 6 and Perry was amazed by how it took off.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not a Facebook person, but there害羞草研究所檚 views and there害羞草研究所檚 people reached and people are sharing like crazy, he said on the morning of April 8. 害羞草研究所淩ight now, we害羞草研究所檙e over 40,000 people reached. In a lot of ways, it害羞草研究所檚 fairly insane, but there害羞草研究所檚 also views and shares.害羞草研究所�
Sandra Smith, from Plaid People Music, Perry害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 daily press conferences.
害羞草研究所淭he phrase, flatten the curve or flatten out the curve, we害羞草研究所檙e hearing it all the time,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 always with us, so I just did it for some fun. It害羞草研究所檚 pretty light, but it害羞草研究所檚 a serious subject.害羞草研究所�
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 害羞草研究所淔latten out the Curve害羞草研究所� might be the only creative outlet for artists for the foreseeable future.
害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e lost a few gigs,害羞草研究所� Perry said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e got my fingers crossed, but I害羞草研究所檓 not optimistic. We have an Alberta fall tour lined up. They say they害羞草研究所檙e holding on to the hope, but I害羞草研究所檓 not going to be shocked or anything.害羞草研究所�
Although disappointed, Perry, a retired railroad worker is not concerned about himself so much as the artists who rely financially on touring.
害羞草研究所淭he people I害羞草研究所檓 worried about are the guys who are just counting on it,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淢usicians who do it for a living, there害羞草研究所檚 not a lot of money out there, I just hope that they survive.害羞草研究所�
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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