Unfortunately for some music fans at San Luis Obispo High School, mosh pits in packed living rooms might not be the go-to Friday night activity for a while. Alive and well before COVID-19 induced lockdowns, SLO’s music scene is just another temporary casualty that must be endured.
Expressions contacted members of San Luis Obispo-based bands Dudeo Perez, Skogen, and Kids to see their points of view on quarantine measures and how these guidelines affect SLO’s music scene as well as their own groups.
Expressions: Recently there’s been reports of social distancing being in place possibly until 2022. What’s your reaction to that estimate?
Noah Boland, guitarist and backup vocalist of Dudeo Perez: That estimate is shocking for sure. Given our lives right now, whether we are graduating high school or college, the next few years could look very different from what we had planned before if the quarantine extends.
Erik Methot, guitarist and singer of Skogen: We really don’t have a reaction yet other than the fact that we hope the measures won’t stay in place for such an extended period of time, considering it will be difficult for us to play shows and expose our music. Really, our outlook is, “that’s life,” and if [the extended quarantine measures] were to happen, it’s not under our control and we’ll just have to work with what we have. I don’t believe this would cause bands to break up. Personally, [the members of our band] are very close to each other outside of music, and if this means we have to create music through digital files and phones, then that’s just an obstacle we will have to work through.
Carson Miller, guitarist and vocals of Kids: I think 2022 is a pretty unlikely estimate, at least in terms of the exact same restrictions that are in place now. That seems to be the absolute high bound, for if things hit their worst. I think we will be back to normal within six months, assuming things don’t blow up again. However, if not, it’ll definitely be a hard blow to the entire music industry.
Expressions: If quarantine lasts for an extended period of time, it’s fair to assume that some local bands will have to break up and move ahead individually once restrictions are lifted. Do you think this could also prevent/discourage people who want to start new bands?
Boland: I think an extended quarantine could definitely prevent people from forming new bands, as it would be a necessary health precaution for the time that the quarantine is in effect. This quarantine is just getting [our band] more and more excited to meet up and get back to work when this is over. I hope that other people feel the same way about starting new bands as well.
Methot: This shouldn’t discourage others from forming a band at all. If forming a band is a goal in life, don’t let that slip away due to a quarantine that—in this hypothetical—would last until 2022. Even though this is a large projection, in retrospect it’s only two years. There is no time limit to forming a band; you can form one at any age.
Miller: It will absolutely make starting new bands more difficult. I’m actually trying to find members for a new project right now, so that’s been tough. Luckily it’s easier than ever to make music yourself, and to find new band members (every member of Kids met through reddit), but since you can’t get together and practice, it’s definitely much tougher and the motivation is harder to come by. However, nobody should let that discourage them from making music on their own.
Expressions: Going off of the last question, is there any possibility that your band might not be able to continue playing shows or making music after quarantine is lifted?
Boland: When this quarantine is lifted we will still be playing shows and making new music. We are very excited, and it’s the thought of eventually doing so that is getting us through this whole thing.
Methot: We will always make music and play shows no matter how long this quarantine lasts. It won’t change anything for us. We plan on sticking around for as long as we can and playing shows until we kick the bucket.
Miller: It’s impossible to say for sure whether or not it will be in the same form, but Kids will still be around in one way or another. I’m still going to be writing songs, and hopefully I’ll have the same incredible people on stage with me.
Expressions: Do you think the music scene in SLO will grow, shrink, or stay the same after all of this is over?
Boland: I have great faith in the San Luis Obispo music scene. Even though there are no live shows right now, I think that the passion still remains with all the artists. I know they will continue to work individually to create new material because they love to do it, whether it’s in front of a crowd or not. When we can finally go back to sharing the experience with everyone, I think the passion will remain and be as strong as ever. We can’t wait to play our first show back.
Methot: We personally don’t think the music scene will change in size. There will be new bands, old bands, and yes, some bands may fall off and go their separate ways, but the music scene in SLO that we have grown to know and love is permanent. In our opinion, it’s only growing.
Miller: Like the last question, I can’t say for sure. I think it will get off to a slow start because bands will have to get together and practice again, maybe some will need to find new members, see what venues are still running, etc. It also depends largely on how many people are willing to go out to concerts, because that could take time too. Luckily, the scene is still going strong even without shows. [Other local bands like] Honeyboys and Autopipe both have released excellent music in the past few weeks, and I know some other bands are just about to as well.
Despite the less than ideal restrictions we all face in this historic time, listeners have a lot to look forward to. As long as the positivity of SLO’s local bands endure and their musicians continue pursuing what they love, the future of SLO’s music community remains hopeful.
