COVID-19 presents troubling realities for local musicians, reinforces the value of community

Cam Sessinger
Sep 26, 2020
3 min read

COVID-19 made Pearl Jam cancel on me

As a lover and avid-attendee of live music, I took exceptional notice of the disruptions that the industry faced as a result of COVID-19.

In fact, it wasn't until my favorite band, Pearl Jam, announced they had to postpone their tour, that I was able to understand the magnitude of the present pandemic. I was deeply saddened, knowing I wouldn't get to experience the tour to celebrate the band's first album release in nearly seven years.

I knew how I felt when I received this scripted email from Pearl Jam PR Team advising me I would not be seeing them. I am certain these longing feelings I experience for live music do not nearly parallel those of the industry, who are having to live out the realities of COVID-19.

Unfortunate receipts which document the sad news.

Finding relief in unprecedented times

Although these experiences are not exclusive to the music industry, it evokes significant fear to consider what it is like to be forced to stop creating, recording, and performing your craft as a result of a global pandemic.

Across many professions, but specifically that of the music industry, local artists are seeking innovative ways to perform and inspire their audiences within these new parameters of existence.

For artists who rely on their trade as their source of income, the inability to perform, or even get in a studio to record and practice, poses many threats to the livelihood of these individuals.

While this issue has presented mainstream artists with a similar dilemma, it does not compare to the ways in which it has affected local artists.

Meet Maddy Walsh

Maddy Walsh, the front-person of the Ithaca band Maddy Walsh & The Blindspots, is facing the consequences of COVID-19 in her own life. Walsh took to the grassroots fundraising sight, GoFundMe.com, to ask her community to support the band in these difficult times.

On June 22, Walsh posted a GoFundMe message in which she asked her community to support the band in their established career. Walsh first calls attention to and encourages the community to donate towards organizations directly working to support the BLM movement before considering supporting them, which is very admirable.

Watch: Video from Walsh shared alongside the fundraiser. Courtesy of Maddy Walsh.

Walsh posted the notice with a goal of $45,000. Since the date their story was posted, the band has raised nearly $21,000. In order to continue to encourage the community to support their work, the band installed donation incentives which allows them to interact with their fans on deeper a level.

Incentives to donate. Photo courtesty of Maddy Walsh.

COVID-19 reaffirms the importance of community

Music is beautiful largely in part to its ability to reach the broadest of audiences. Music touches everyone, and every individual has their own unique taste. Music is timeless and will continue to exist so long as human civilizations do.

It is important that as a collective, we come together and support those who make music possible. It is clear that through the story of Maddy Walsh & The Blindspots, The Ithaca community showed immense solidarity with the artists who bring value and life to them.

It is times of darkness and uncertainty, such as the days we find ourselves in presently, that reiterate the importance of community.