Spoke+Blossom Magazine | Spring 2021| Issue #15

Page 34

music

Drew Fields, Jeff Steele and Peter Rosenthal in the studio preparing for a Union Of None live stream.

LOCAL MUSICIANS ARE RE-TUNING THEIR WORK By Jeffrey Steele | Photo courtesy of Union of None

W

32

hat’s a poor band to do?

banned live music streams later in the year.

That became the pressing question

So, the question remains: what’s a poor band

for an estimated 50 bands in the Grand Valley

to do?

when COVID-19 lockdowns began in early

2020. Festivals, events and shows of all kinds

cover band thriving on live performances,

that feature live music were being postponed,

was bound and determined to find a way

revamped or outright canceled. Local musicians

to continue playing the shows that brought

and performers were left without a critical

not only much needed income, but also the

source of income and no place to play.

satisfaction and fulfillment that can only be

Some bands called it quits while others

achieved on the stage. They performed a few

decided to wait it out and see what would

live streams on Facebook, getting tips here

happen. Others took the time to write and record

and there through PayPal, but felt that it

new music or shoot and edit music videos. Some

wasn’t quite what they were after. There was a

turned to social media sites as an avenue to

notable lack of engagement, and a frustrating

continue performing live shows until Facebook

inability to interact with listeners.

Union Of None (UON), a popular local


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