Live Stream Fatigue

Ring Light, laptop, notes taped to music stand….And…Action

Live Stream Fatigue…Do you have it? What do you take for it? Is there a vaccine yet? 

I’m going to be honest. I enjoy performing on live streams — even though, forgive me, my Facebook feed is starting to look like a scrolling billboard. I don’t however, have the bandwidth to watch all the shows I’ve been invited to. Online events used to be sprinkled here and there for our viewing pleasure. But I’m tiring of the virtual venue. I want a change of scenery. The company of breathing humans. I want to throw on a leather jacket and go see a band in a bar! 

I talked about the idea of “Live Stream Fatigue” last week during a…(drum roll)…live stream. I thought I was clever — I actually believed I coined the term. But next day, Lefsetz used it too. I’m not suggesting he copied me. It’s the perfect catch-phrase for the times. And we’re all orbiting the same zeitgeist.

On the night we were ordered to lockdown in California, for a split second (and this is REALLY embarrassing) I thought I was the only one in the universe who realized that taking it online would be the ticket. Of course, next day every songwriter, artist, celebrity, organization and politician were there. 😳We’ve been privy to each others’ kitchens, backyards, studios, bedrooms, even bathrooms. So cool. So novel. But now…so what. 

As for the recording industry, although some established artists have had tons of streams (Camila Cabello ‘s Romance went platinum) generally speaking word is listeners aren’t interested in new material. They’re opting instead for the comfort of catalog they’re familiar with — music they don’t have to put any effort into getting hooked on. I think it’s true. My SONOS has been glued to Elvis Costello Radio, Phoebe Snow, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye. 

So what does that mean for someone (me) releasing new material? It’s hard enough without a global pandemic. Should we stick to our plan and go with the flow? Should we panic and postpone? 

I moderated a Mondo.NYC conversation (The Songwriters And The New Normal) last week and all four esteemed panelists (Dave Bassett, Victoria Shaw, Milck, Sam Hollander) agreed that it’s a waste of time to fret about what might or might not happen AC (after Covid). We should use this time to explore, experiment, plant, cook, clean out our closets, store our photos on the cloud. Just do something so that while we’re all in the waiting room of the unknown — feeling powerless and confused, at least we can grow in some way…if we agree to let go. 

Me — I’ve gotten good at making tasty meals with quality frozen seafood (Costco shrimp and scallops go a long way). My attic is more organized than it’s been in decades. What else? I’ve done a lot of sitting in my yard just being. And yoga. I’ve been particularly enjoying this LuLu Lemon 45 minute power practice. And I’ll go a step further and recommend pairing it with Chihei Hatakeyama. Here I’ll help you…   

All of his albums sound the same to me. That said, Mr. Hatakeyama has been a god-send — ushering me through this strange time — helping me sleep, to think, to cope, to cry. To accept.  I’m grateful to have discovered him.

Sam Hollander commented that when the curve has finally flattened for good he doesn’t want to hear another mention of “quarantine” or anything having to do with it. I think I’ll probably choose to forget all about it too. But for now, we’re still in the thick of it so…

I’ll be selective about what live stream events I participate in and mindful not to bombard you with my presence. That said if there’s an audience for my experiences and my opinions, I’m there. Hey, I’m lonely too. 

And then, I’ll wait it out like everyone else, miss my daughter and book a flight as soon as we get to the other side.

Contrary to the theory of ‘catalog only,’ I’m staying the course and continuing to release my music as planned…(album this summer.) It is what it is. I’m #Adjusting. To be certain, it won’t be the same journey that I envisioned. It will be different. But hopefully it will find its people and resonate in a meaningful way. I’m letting go.

Here’s my new song “Notebook”….a sonic love letter to my daughter in time for Mother’s Day. ❤️And here’s a video with dear friend and baddest-ass producer Eve Nelson which shares how it came to be. (Thank you Hamish Anderson for the magical guitars and Nicole Powers for the videography).

Thanks for staying with me! 

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