It’s 2020 and live music is at a standstill. It’s been about 7 months since most of us have experienced live music. Artists are getting creative with online performances and even selling masks for merch. WILD.
A year that looked to be stacked with concerts and festivals is now pay per view shows and a pile of band merch we can’t even properly show off. As we continue to navigate the world amongst the Covid-19 pandemic, the All I Got Was Band Merch series documents how this time is affecting both artists AND fans alike.
This week, we’re kicking things off with Ontario’s alt rock band, Heavy Hearts, who were named “one of the top bands leading an emo revival” by Alternative Press. Justin Glatt (vocals'/guitat) and Jamie Gorman (bass) walk us through how they’ve been dealing with quarantine both personally and as a band.
How have you been making this time useful? (As a band and individually)
Justin: Musically, I’ve been learning more on recording at home. I’ve improved my set up a bit since quarantine and having other kinds of instrumentation available to me has helped come up with ideas that I might not have come up with on a guitar. Otherwise I’ve been exploring other ways of writing outside of music, and trying to find new ways of being creative.
Has songwriting been easier or harder, without seeing your other band mates?
Justin: It’s kind of come in waves. I feel like it can be easier to pursue ideas when we’re all together and can actively work on things in the moment. I had a period of time where I felt really productive, but at the same time it’s been difficult to find inspiration or motivation to keep creating. Some days I feel extremely detached from music, and on those days it kind of feels like I’ve lost a part of my identity.
What do you miss most from the “normal” word, before COVID-19?
Jamie: Friends. Definitely miss being able to get together as a group and practice, or just hang out and goof off. Just that human connection.
During your free time, are there any bands/artists you have newly discovered or any old albums that you love, that you’ve been playing a bit more recently?
Jamie: I have gotten super in to Haim’s new record, and I’ve fallen back in love with all of the older arcade fire releases lately.
Have you picked up any new hobbies during this time?
Jamie: I have been doing a lot of gardening. vegetables and herbs. I’ve been going for big bike rides, and I’m trying to learn how to reupholster furniture. Just trying to get up and out of the house.
How has your daily routine changed since COVID-19?
Jamie: My daily routine is out the window. Each morning my goal is just to make sure I do something, anything with my day.
During quarantine, Heavy Hearts released their LP, Room With a View. Give it a listen and check out their beautiful merch packages below. You can never have enough band merch!
SHOP MERCH
